Today is Indigenous Peoples Day. That upsets people who celebrate Christopher Columbus today. I used to enjoy upsetting people about these points of American history. I don't enjoy it anymore but I see the importance of the discomfort. It is important to face our history on this and other hard issues. "While we cannot change the past, we can realise and remember the pain that millions suffered throughout our nation's history. We can also recall the tremendous achievements of the original inhabitants of our continent." - Hilda Solis (authored the LA County motion for a resolution to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, slated to take effect in 2019)
On Saturday, I went to Ware, MA to the Agape Community for a gathering "Listening to Native Voices: Standing Rock is Everywhere". I went as a pilgrim to learn more about what our Indigenous People are still suffering, to listen so my heart could understand more deeply. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, of the Standing Rock Lakota and Dakota Nakota Nations spoke. He shared many poignant stories of his people, their suffering and their protection of the land. What touched me so deeply is the call to protesting that is grounded in prayer, in spiritual practice, in connection with Earth and the ancestors who have gone before us.
Two Clouds and Chief Dwaine Perry both of the Ramapough Nation from Mahway, NJ spoke of what their experience of oppression and exclusion is going on right now in my home state. It is painful as history repeats itself over and over.
But now what is different is that other people are standing with our Native People, our water keepers, our Earth Keepers. It is a very hard road. It takes courage to face the hatred and prejudice as many did at Standing Rock. It takes prayer to remain peaceful and nonviolent in the face of so much hostility. Our hope is standing together as Chief Arvol explained - individually we can be beaten down; together we are strong.
Now is the time to stand together in prayer and action born of our prayer - for Earth and all our relations.
On Saturday, I went to Ware, MA to the Agape Community for a gathering "Listening to Native Voices: Standing Rock is Everywhere". I went as a pilgrim to learn more about what our Indigenous People are still suffering, to listen so my heart could understand more deeply. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, of the Standing Rock Lakota and Dakota Nakota Nations spoke. He shared many poignant stories of his people, their suffering and their protection of the land. What touched me so deeply is the call to protesting that is grounded in prayer, in spiritual practice, in connection with Earth and the ancestors who have gone before us.
Two Clouds and Chief Dwaine Perry both of the Ramapough Nation from Mahway, NJ spoke of what their experience of oppression and exclusion is going on right now in my home state. It is painful as history repeats itself over and over.
But now what is different is that other people are standing with our Native People, our water keepers, our Earth Keepers. It is a very hard road. It takes courage to face the hatred and prejudice as many did at Standing Rock. It takes prayer to remain peaceful and nonviolent in the face of so much hostility. Our hope is standing together as Chief Arvol explained - individually we can be beaten down; together we are strong.
Now is the time to stand together in prayer and action born of our prayer - for Earth and all our relations.
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