Climate change affects our entire planet, but the scope of this diary will focus on the First Nations of Turtle Island, today more commonly known as North America. The ways of the past can be what saves our entire planet. These were the first conservationists and stewards of our land.
The People knew how to respect and take care of Mother Earth, the land that sustained them, and that they replenished. Tragically it was stolen and desecrated for power and greed. The circle was bent, but not broken.
"How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right."
From Black Hawk, Sauk
Initially the people of this land were willing to share it, they knew it was loaned to them.
Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our Children.
Ancient Indian Proverb
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The people fought for the land, not out of greed, but because they saw the abuse, lack of respect, the disconnection from Mother Earth. It was essential for the survival of the people then, and for future generations.
We have all heard the phrase "circle of life" in various ways.
The carbon cycle is circular and as we know from scientific data it is a cycle that sustains life.
Thousands of years before science gave us the data for the life sustaining carbon cycle, another circle to exemplify life had been developed and passed on for generations. Its simplicity is its brilliance.
In early days we were close to nature. We judged time, weather conditions, and many things by the elements- the good earth, the blue sky, the flying of geese, and the changing winds. We looked to these for guidance and answers. Our prayers and thanksgiving were said to the four winds- to the East, from whence the new day was born; to the South, which sent the warm breeze which gave a feeling of comfort; to the West, which ended the day and brought rest; and to the North, the Mother of winter whose sharp air awakened a time of preparation for the long days ahead. We lived by the Great Spirit's hand through nature and evaluated the changing winds to tell us or warn us of what was ahead.
Today we are again evaluating the changing winds. May we be strong in spirit and equal to our Fathers of another day in reading the signs accurately and interpreting them wisely.
Unknown Speaker addressing the National Congress of American Indians in the mid 1960's
The Sacred Hoop, or Medicine Wheel, as it is also known represents many things. My teachings come from the Lakota ways. The colors represent essential and important elements of survival.
One is the basic elements of survival; Earth, Air, Fire, Water. The color matching of an element varies among tribal traditions.
The Sacred Hoop also represents the seasons; Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn.
The Sacred Hoop stands for the four directions; East, South, West, North.
The most important one for us to focus on is inside ourselves. If we do not then we have no direction to offer to others and the world around us.
I was taught that "Wicasa" means "a man who is no longer a boy" and "Winyan" means a woman who is no longer a girl.
When we become responsible as a man or woman for our lives, and our planet, we have no one to blame for our failures but ourselves.
For too long now when it comes to the Earth Mother, we are not Wicasa & Winyan, we are greedy children.
Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I'll understand.
— Native American Proverb
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In the last two days we have had the privilege of being able to do exactly that-Be told, be shown, and now it is time to be involved.
It starts with each of us individually. How can I claim to be a responsible steward of the planet when I take no action to make it a better place?
Involve yourself, understand.
The scientific contribution this weekend has been invaluable. Long before us there were the original conservationists, true stewards of the land. Those I learned from first taught huge volumes in ways that had been passed down for generations.
In my earlier years, I walked this planet blind to my impact on it. Elders long past, at least physically, taught me of the sacred circle and how we are all related, and that with that comes a responsibility. It was time to account for my walk through life. For the children sake, we cannot afford to be greedy children anymore.
h/t winter rabbit