It is becoming more evident that our own people are becoming racists. It is common to go on to a Native American website and read ‘put-down’ of anyone not full-blood. It has become a dog-eat-dog world out there in Indian country and the judgment comes down to who your ancestor slept with. It seems the physical becomes what we look at. How sad.
We can not choose our ancestors. Many of our women were given to non-native men. Many of us were traded for whatever reason. Many of us were taken. It was not always a choice in those early days of contact. There is a great attempt to discourage those of us who are living the Truth as it has been taught us. There are those of us who learn and live our ways, not for greed, but to be living examples of struggle back to what is true and good and right for us, but more, it is our responsibility.
I am of mixed blood, my trail back is sketchy at best. I was a captured baby. There reason was that I was malnourished and had rickets, (due to allergies to milk, which later presented itself in some of my birthed children and allergy tests.) I was ‘given’ to a non-native relative of the Head of Social Services, and the nurse who put me in the arms of my new mother whispered, “This is a baby of color.” She knew and it took fifty years for my adoptive mother to acknowledge this, after I had traced my family back. There are many ways to loose our cultural identity. I was lost, physically, but not intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. My soul always knew who and what it was long before I could tack it to something. I had seven children and was in University before my soul totally recognized words and lessons that fit that hole in the soul that was left from disconnection with my roots.
And now I am relegated to a non-entity by the elitists of Native American people. This Intertribal discouragement breaks my heart. We are of no value to our culture, they say. It is reminiscent of the KKK, the skin heads, Hitler. It is harming our communities with these factions of discouragement by those who say they hold the only true way. Apparently our struggles to go back and find our roots, our history, our mother-culture, our ways, and to live the Good Red Road, including becoming involved in traditional spirituality does not, in any way, seem valid to those elitists. We are judged, not by matters of the heart and soul, but by the color of our skin and the percentage of our blood, by those who may very well have black-hearts. I have had a lifetime of struggle with being proud of who I am. The elitists want those of us who were lost, but have found our way back, to feel ashamed. I am one of the Rainbow children who was prophesized to come. I am to be a bridge to Unity and understanding. Those, like me, have come from a place of being outcasts of both worlds.
The governments and their provisions/privileges to certain groups and not others (Status, Metis, Bill C31, etc.) has us fighting amongst ourselves. Divide and conquer. This strategy is age-old and will continue as long as we let this labeling come between us.
We are, the children of mixed blood, are now being segregated by our own. There is a undertow of division of races, anger, resentment, and lack of Unity.
Somehow we must acknowledge that we are all of the same Nation, the Human Nation. I have ties to two cultures. I am a Creegie ( Cree and Norwegian) I must honor both aboriginal beginnings. We must look at things in a good way. What we say and do will effect the future generations who will, out of fear of reprisal because of blood quantum, draw away from our traditional ways and the loss will be great. We must come together , not just physically, but intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. I am the way the Creator meant for me to me made. My spirit is strong. I am constantly learning our ways. No one way is the absolute true way. I honor and respect the old teachings. I honor and respect the learning that has lead me back to knowing just a bit more of the old ways. My visions are my visions. If I am to share my gifts with others, then I should be able to share my gifts without reprisal by the elitists. I do not say my way is the true way for all. I say it is only true for me. If others learn Love, Unity, Peace, and self-help from me, it is not a trade of goods nor money. It is soul-sharing.
Now is not the time for dis-Unity. We are to share the old ways we have been taught, have gone to traditional ceremonies to learn. The tasks of these “Warriors of the Rainbow” are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning “Mother Earth” to beauty and plenty - once more.
It is not blood that makes us Native American. It is soul. We are returning from the lost lands we were taken too, we are sitting on the fringes with skin of different colors, we are returning from those lost places to unite all back to one tribe, one nation, one heart. We are the true valiant who have had to travel difficult paths to come back to our ways,. Do not discourage us. Teach us, for we, too have voices to share. Do not lose us with your elitism. We are some of your only hopes.
CREE PROPHECY
Warriors of the Rainbow
200-year-old prophecy by an old Cree woman named Eyes of Fire
Last century an old wise woman of the Cree Indian nation, named “Eyes of Fire”, had a vision of the future. She prophesied that one day, because of the white mans’ or Yo-ne-gis’ greed, there would come a time, when the earth being ravaged and polluted, the forests being destroyed, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, the fish being poisoned in the streams, and the trees would no longer be, mankind as we would know it would all but cease to exist. There would come a time when the “keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs” would be needed to restore us to health, making the earth green again. They would be mankind’s key to survival, they were the “Warriors of the Rainbow”. There would come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes would form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great Spirit.
The “Warriors of the Rainbow” would spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth or “Elohi”. They would teach them how to live the “Way of the Great Spirit”. They would tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is “Sick”.
The “Warriors of the Rainbow” would show the peoples that this “Ancient Being” (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the “Earth or Elohi” beautiful again. These Warriors would give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path light with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow would teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding. They would teach of Harmony among people in all four corners of the Earth.
Like the Ancient Tribes, they would teach the peoples how to pray to the Great Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they would be able to feel joy in solitude and in councils. They would be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. They would feel happiness enter their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race. Their hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature and the Great Spirit.
They would once again fill their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would seek the beauty of the Master of Life - the Great Spirit! They would find strength and beauty in prayer and the solitude of life.
Their children would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed. The rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life.
The poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives.
The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrated their love, wisdom and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, would be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their “quality” and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and devoted “Ancient Chiefs”, they would understand the people with love, and see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.
The tasks of these “Warriors of the Rainbow” are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning “Mother Earth” to beauty and plenty - once more.
The day will come, it is not far away.
The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of all tribes that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to “harmony” with Nature, Mother Earth and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our “Key to our Survival”.
“When the earth is dying there shall arise a new tribe of all colours and all creeds. This tribe shall be called The Warriors of the Rainbow and it will put its faith in actions not words.”
- Prophecy of the Native American Hopi people -
SIOUX PROPHESY
“There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die. Then the Indians will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations, colors and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth:
The Rainbow Warriors.”
© Carol Desjarlais, March 20, 2006.
Tags: Journal Blog by Shewolf
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