excerpt from CHEROKEE DIARY (see Aug 31, 2010)
January 1, 2005 - Cherokee second annual Wellness project Called "Tree of Hope". This was held at what is called Unity Field near the tree that was said children from the boarding schools could come (infrequently) to get a hug from their parents. This tree was called the "Crying Tree" until it was renamed the "Tree of Hope". Last year they had celebrated obstacles they had overcome, this year celebrating the vision for the New Year. Paper ornaments were available for attendees to place their hope for the coming year and attach it to the tree branches. There were prayers, drumming and singing followed by a celebration meal at the Fairgrounds mulit-purpose building. I was continually amazed and inspired by the striving for genuine wellness in the community, not just survival, but reaching for the best in each other and supporting each other.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
PEACE - IT'S TIME!
excerpt from ANNE'S WRITINGS (see Aug 31, 2010) In response to youth being arrested in a demonstration in California
Before my time ...
Clans fighting with clubs and spears over meat and woman.
Vikings fighting over sea rights and land.
Colonizing of foreign lands by violence and fierce possession, by theft and bloodshed.
Pushing back of frontiers by lies, promises, rape, attempted annihilation of brown skinned warriors, bloodshed for land and natural resources.
Since my time...
Maniacs brainwashing and promising a super race, millions perishing in gas ovens, weapons of destruction of cities, villages, soldiers to the rescue bringing death, destruction, temporary freedom.
Islands and peninsulas split in two, brother against brother, Korea and Vietnam fought over like a bone by angry dogs, leaving destruction and pain behind, taking pain and human destruction home from the wars.
Middle east with black gold tempting and luring, excuses for aggression, destruction, posturing in the name of honor while raping the minds and hearts of young men who need to be home, building nests, nurturing children, modeling a better man.
No one is listening, no one is hearing the cries of babies, the mothers, the youth who want to dream.
It is time for us, the women, the young, the valiant, to prepare ourselves, strengthen ourselves, teach peace, live peace, learn strategy and negotiation, be ready.
Stay free and work diligently.
Keep your courage and intelligence available and active to form a peaceful society, to teach your children peace.
Wage peace by avalances of letters, calls, emails, visits, lobbying, elections, education, modeling conflict resolution by negotiation, heart listening, empathy, sympathy.
Demand it be so!
Before my time ...
Clans fighting with clubs and spears over meat and woman.
Vikings fighting over sea rights and land.
Colonizing of foreign lands by violence and fierce possession, by theft and bloodshed.
Pushing back of frontiers by lies, promises, rape, attempted annihilation of brown skinned warriors, bloodshed for land and natural resources.
Since my time...
Maniacs brainwashing and promising a super race, millions perishing in gas ovens, weapons of destruction of cities, villages, soldiers to the rescue bringing death, destruction, temporary freedom.
Islands and peninsulas split in two, brother against brother, Korea and Vietnam fought over like a bone by angry dogs, leaving destruction and pain behind, taking pain and human destruction home from the wars.
Middle east with black gold tempting and luring, excuses for aggression, destruction, posturing in the name of honor while raping the minds and hearts of young men who need to be home, building nests, nurturing children, modeling a better man.
No one is listening, no one is hearing the cries of babies, the mothers, the youth who want to dream.
It is time for us, the women, the young, the valiant, to prepare ourselves, strengthen ourselves, teach peace, live peace, learn strategy and negotiation, be ready.
Stay free and work diligently.
Keep your courage and intelligence available and active to form a peaceful society, to teach your children peace.
Wage peace by avalances of letters, calls, emails, visits, lobbying, elections, education, modeling conflict resolution by negotiation, heart listening, empathy, sympathy.
Demand it be so!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
IRISH COME TO CHEROKEE
excerpt from CHEROKEE DIARY (see Aug 31, 2010) See Sep 12, 2010 for visit of Cherokee to Ireland in post called SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF HEALING
January 24, 2005 - Historical visit to the American Indians (Cherokee) by Lord Alderdice and a delegation of 14 Irish men and women on a tour of goodwill and bridge-building between the people of Ireland and the American Indian of the southeast.
Having been visited last year by a contingent of Native American Indian people led by Lynda Prince and Peregini International's Daphne Swilling, Lord Aldedice and many other political, social and spiritual leaders were deeply impacted by the exchange of goodwill and cultural sharing from the delegation of Indian people, which included drumming, dance, regalia and gifting. Lord Alderdice has studied the history of the American Indian peoples for some time and is a distant relation to Andrew Jackson. When asked if he would be open to coming to America on a goodwill tour for bridge-building relationships with the Indian peoples, he enthusiastically accepted the invitation.... He offered his heart to Indian people as one who desires new bridges of mutual respect, honor and action for healing and renewal. His message was received with great enthusiasm and encouragement from all assemblies, after which Irish and Indian cultural sharing was exchanged with dance, music and drumming from both cultures.
January 24, 2005 - Historical visit to the American Indians (Cherokee) by Lord Alderdice and a delegation of 14 Irish men and women on a tour of goodwill and bridge-building between the people of Ireland and the American Indian of the southeast.
Having been visited last year by a contingent of Native American Indian people led by Lynda Prince and Peregini International's Daphne Swilling, Lord Aldedice and many other political, social and spiritual leaders were deeply impacted by the exchange of goodwill and cultural sharing from the delegation of Indian people, which included drumming, dance, regalia and gifting. Lord Alderdice has studied the history of the American Indian peoples for some time and is a distant relation to Andrew Jackson. When asked if he would be open to coming to America on a goodwill tour for bridge-building relationships with the Indian peoples, he enthusiastically accepted the invitation.... He offered his heart to Indian people as one who desires new bridges of mutual respect, honor and action for healing and renewal. His message was received with great enthusiasm and encouragement from all assemblies, after which Irish and Indian cultural sharing was exchanged with dance, music and drumming from both cultures.
Friday, October 22, 2010
NOBILITY
excerpt from ANNE'S WRITINGS (see Aug 31, 2010)
Shades of brown, and black, and tan,
Gentleness and strength in this man.
Endurance and control, no loss of soul,
Seeing the sunrise instead of the gold.
Hearing the music with the soul,
God grant us this - to never part.
8-10-96
Shades of brown, and black, and tan,
Gentleness and strength in this man.
Endurance and control, no loss of soul,
Seeing the sunrise instead of the gold.
Hearing the music with the soul,
God grant us this - to never part.
8-10-96
Thursday, October 21, 2010
EDITORIAL RESPONSE
My response in the local newspaper in Gainesville, Fl. after a racially charged event in 1995.....
Letter to Voice of the People
This past week's events have made this country begin to wake up to the effects of a lackadaisical attitude toward race relations. I am in a workshop on the healing of racism. We are only at the beginning of understanding the complexities of healing. I feel so inadequate for the job. We will truly have to rely on God to guide us. My own thoughts and feelings are shifting their focus. I can feel my inner self evolving and it is confusing and exhilarating at the same time. I think I see only parts of the picture, I know and feel the history of slavery, oppression, discrimination - both overt and subtle. I've read a lot, cried a lot, despaired a lot, tried a lot but I'm still in infancy in being articulate and effective. I feel extremes. I want to shake people and get in their face, also want to hold and comfort. There is such emotion in me every time I get involved that it is a struggle to be sensible. Sometimes I get discouraged and lonely and want to say "what the heck, nobody else cares." That's not true but feel it sometimes.
I want to say to a white - learn the story, feel the pain, unlearn the stereotypes, unlearn the negative responses, commit to learning positive responses, see the soul, see the individual and the struggle to make it each day, see the family we share, help not to warp another generation, correct the education you gave your children, see and accept the heroes and heroines with darker skin, see diversity and cherish it, be enriched by it.
To the black, I want to say - I am sorry for the conscious and unconscious pain I and those with lighter skin like mine have caused you. Forgive me if you can but know I am trying to evolve into a loving sister who is sensitive and appreciative and humble. Help me by being honest, hopefully in a loving way, but honest nevertheless. Tell me when I err or hurt or am ignorant. Reach inside for that nobility that God gave you and wear it proudly. Excel in spite of adversity. Share with me the gifts of your spiritual nature, your endurance and stamina, your wisdom and graciousness during tests, your nurturing of the qualities of the heart and soul. Your nobility can teach me nobility. Your pain can teach me humility. Your persistent caring can teach me to grow up and become fully human and a member of the same human family.
Letter to Voice of the People
This past week's events have made this country begin to wake up to the effects of a lackadaisical attitude toward race relations. I am in a workshop on the healing of racism. We are only at the beginning of understanding the complexities of healing. I feel so inadequate for the job. We will truly have to rely on God to guide us. My own thoughts and feelings are shifting their focus. I can feel my inner self evolving and it is confusing and exhilarating at the same time. I think I see only parts of the picture, I know and feel the history of slavery, oppression, discrimination - both overt and subtle. I've read a lot, cried a lot, despaired a lot, tried a lot but I'm still in infancy in being articulate and effective. I feel extremes. I want to shake people and get in their face, also want to hold and comfort. There is such emotion in me every time I get involved that it is a struggle to be sensible. Sometimes I get discouraged and lonely and want to say "what the heck, nobody else cares." That's not true but feel it sometimes.
I want to say to a white - learn the story, feel the pain, unlearn the stereotypes, unlearn the negative responses, commit to learning positive responses, see the soul, see the individual and the struggle to make it each day, see the family we share, help not to warp another generation, correct the education you gave your children, see and accept the heroes and heroines with darker skin, see diversity and cherish it, be enriched by it.
To the black, I want to say - I am sorry for the conscious and unconscious pain I and those with lighter skin like mine have caused you. Forgive me if you can but know I am trying to evolve into a loving sister who is sensitive and appreciative and humble. Help me by being honest, hopefully in a loving way, but honest nevertheless. Tell me when I err or hurt or am ignorant. Reach inside for that nobility that God gave you and wear it proudly. Excel in spite of adversity. Share with me the gifts of your spiritual nature, your endurance and stamina, your wisdom and graciousness during tests, your nurturing of the qualities of the heart and soul. Your nobility can teach me nobility. Your pain can teach me humility. Your persistent caring can teach me to grow up and become fully human and a member of the same human family.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
INDIAN HUMOR
excerpts from CHEROKEE DIARY (see Aug 31, 2010)
Workshop on laughter as a healing medicine.
Navaho custom - Baby's first laugh is about 4 or 5 months. They have a celebration to honor the first laugh.
What do you call one Cherokee who is shorter than the other? Not even
Stop at intersection - Where does this road go? Road stops, you go.
Girlfriend Navaho - sugar
Hopi - Sweet and Low
Apache - Equal
New garlic diet - You don't lose weight but you look thinner from a distance.
I'm shy! Okay? Get over it, okay?
Golda Meir - Don't look so humble, you are not that great.
God led us in the desert for 40 years and stopped us in the only place without oil.
Workshop on laughter as a healing medicine.
Navaho custom - Baby's first laugh is about 4 or 5 months. They have a celebration to honor the first laugh.
What do you call one Cherokee who is shorter than the other? Not even
Stop at intersection - Where does this road go? Road stops, you go.
Girlfriend Navaho - sugar
Hopi - Sweet and Low
Apache - Equal
New garlic diet - You don't lose weight but you look thinner from a distance.
I'm shy! Okay? Get over it, okay?
Golda Meir - Don't look so humble, you are not that great.
God led us in the desert for 40 years and stopped us in the only place without oil.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
APARTMENT CHALLENGES
excerpts from TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES (see Aug 31,2010)
My apartment in Bamboo Village, Trinidad, was on the second floor. There were two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. The shower was on the back porch. The first day I moved in I had to remove a hornet's nest from the ceiling of the shower. I also had to wash down the walls and floors because black soot had drifted in from the burning of sugar cane in the fields nearby. Bats swooped down from a hole in the ceiling of the bedrooms and traumatized me on a regular basis. The legs of the wooden cabinets, which held the food, were placed in cans of gasoline to keep ants from getting in the food. Lizards ran up the walls of the kitchen on a regular basis. Every morning we could hear a chant of "shrimp for 50 cents" outside and since I loved shrimp we ate it often. I had a banana tree and a mango tree in the back yard so fresh fruit was always available There were no screens on the windows so insects visited at their leisure. One night I recieved 50 mosquito bites from my wrist to my elbow. I learned that there was a coil you could burn to keep mosqitoes down to some degree. BUT THE PEOPLE WERE LOVELY!
My apartment in Bamboo Village, Trinidad, was on the second floor. There were two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. The shower was on the back porch. The first day I moved in I had to remove a hornet's nest from the ceiling of the shower. I also had to wash down the walls and floors because black soot had drifted in from the burning of sugar cane in the fields nearby. Bats swooped down from a hole in the ceiling of the bedrooms and traumatized me on a regular basis. The legs of the wooden cabinets, which held the food, were placed in cans of gasoline to keep ants from getting in the food. Lizards ran up the walls of the kitchen on a regular basis. Every morning we could hear a chant of "shrimp for 50 cents" outside and since I loved shrimp we ate it often. I had a banana tree and a mango tree in the back yard so fresh fruit was always available There were no screens on the windows so insects visited at their leisure. One night I recieved 50 mosquito bites from my wrist to my elbow. I learned that there was a coil you could burn to keep mosqitoes down to some degree. BUT THE PEOPLE WERE LOVELY!
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