This is excerted from the Summer 1993 issue of Shaman's Drum
Tribal Elders Encourage Spiritual Unity
Ancient prophecies from many indigenous religions have warned of a
time when Earth would undergo severe changes because humans would have
turned away from spiritual teachings and values. Many spiritual leaders
believe that those prophesies are being fulfilled today, as virtually
every part of the planet suffers from an unprecedened increase in
pollution, warfare, natural disasters, and diseases.
Four years ago, Jim Walton (Tlingit), Harvey Ironeagle (Pasqua
Indian), and other indigenous elders from Canada and the United States
began organizing a series of spiritual gatherings to address concerns
about the world's plight and future. Citing prophecies from long
ago that indigenous peoples from around the world must unite and work
together to bring healing to the Earth, these elders are calling for a
return to traditional spiritual values as a solution for solving the
problems facing all peoples.
Under the elders' guidance, the first Spiritual Unity of Tribes
Gathering was held in 1989 on the Pasqua reserve in Saskatchewan,
Canada. Since then, other gatherings have taken place at the Nambe
Pueblo in New Mexico, among the Lakota in South Dakota's Black Hills,
at the village of Tanacross, Alaska, and in Mexican Springs, New Mexico.
Future gatherings are tentatively scheduled for indigenous lands in New
York and Russia -- and wherever else people feel called to meet.
The gatherings are grassroots efforts coordinated through a strictly
voluntary network. No one receives any material compensation for their
many hours of planning, coordinating, or on-site work. The elders want
to avoid commercialism of their efforts, so participants are not charged
any fees -- for anything. In order to help defray costs, coordinators
conduct fundraisers and accept donations of food and money.
The gatherings have drawn thousands of people of all races and
religions, fostering a respect for all. "Traditional Native Americans,
Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Ba'hais, Buddhists, Mormons, devotees of Sai
Baba and other Masters of the East have all come together at the
gatherings with honor, respect, and love," say the elders. "The deepest
roots of Native American spirituality are the same as all the great
religions: Love, Honor, Respect, Compassion, Peace, Truth, Right Action
and Non-Violence. This is the ancient highway to God, shared by all
mankind, open to all who are willing to do the work."
Each meeting follows a format similar to traditional Native
spiritual gatherings. Participants camp together in isolated areas for
a week to nine days, leaving behind the conveniences of the modern world.
A sacred fire in the camp's center draws participants together, where
elders pass on their knowledge and wisdom, and other participants share
their own thoughts and feelings. Each day offers designated speakers,
workshops usually follow a general theme of the day. and evening
activities include talking circles, prayer, cultural dances, and songs.
Gatherings also include activities such as storytelling, craft-making,
sweatlodges, and traditional dances.
Although the gatherings have no formalized agenda -- the intent is
to let the Spirit lead -- they follow basic themes such as community
building; honoring grandparents and youth; racial and spiritual unity;
and "taking it all home." A special focus has been to honor the
grandmothers and their spiritual teachings because grandmothers are the
image of Mother Earth, the foundation of their families, and give life,
strength, and understanding. "The spiritual elders believe that once
the grandmothers begin to share their knowledge, wisdom, love, and
compassion, this will catalyze a renewed, revitalized healing process
for those touched spiritually," said Mary Stachelrodt (Yupik), a
gathering organizer.
The gatherings also focus on helping to reestablish communication
between the youth and grandparents. As communications and relationships
between the old and young begin to flourish, many Native youths are less
inclined to turn to alcoholism and other self-abusive behaviors that are
rampant in many indigenous communities. Freeda Hart (Cree), who helped
organize a youth and elder's program, said, "I want the youth to be
strong in their identity, to know themselves mentally, physically,
spiritually and emotionally and to gain inner strength to carry on
their life path."
It's not only the youth who can benefit from better communication
with the grandparents. Melvin Gamble, a 44-year-old Tlingit and Vietnam
vet said, "The healing we are going through here is a purifying of the
soul. A lot of my brothers and sisters across the whole nation haven't
made it. Some are still struggling with drugs, alcohol and the pain of
Vietnam. I hope they will join the circle and realize that the war is
over, that this is the way to deal with the pains of war, and that
alcohol and drugs don't have to be there any more. If my grandmothers
were here -- but they are here in spirit -- they would be happy with
seeing people humble themselves and turn to a higher power, whatever they
choose to call it." He added, "I talk to the elders now and I don't
have to go through a lot of garbage in my life because I am listening
to them. I'm learning to pray, be honest and communicate, how to reach
out to another person no matter what color they may be. That's what
I'm learning is the meaning of spirituality."
The elders and gathering organizers believe that the gatherings are
fulfilling the vision of Lakota holy man Black Elk (see Black Elk Speaks
by John G. Niehardt). As a child, Black Elk fell into a visionary coma,
during which spirit beings revealed to him some of the changes that were
to come, not only to his people, but to all peoples. They foretold of
a time of disharmony, to be followed by a time peace and unity among all
people.
"I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about
beneath me was the whole hoop of the world," said Black Elk. "...And I
saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one
circle ... and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter
all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was
holy."
As Black Elk grew older, he witnessed the dissolution of his people's
unity as foretold in his vision. In deep sadness, he saw his nation's
hoop was broken, its tree withered. During his last days, he prayed,
"Here, old, I stand, and the tree is withered, Grandfather, my
Grandfather! ... Again, perhaps for the last time on this earth, I recall
the great vision You sent me. It may be that some root of the sacred
Tree still lives. Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom and fill
with singing birds. Hear me, that they may once more go back to the
sacred hoop and the good red road, the shielding Tree!"
Spiritual of Unity of Tribes steering committee members believe that
the gatherings are a living prayer fulfilling Black Elk's vision.
For more information send email to maraw@fs-gate.uchicago.edu