Guest Author - Phyllis Doyle Burns
The time has come to listen to echoes from our land...the wisdom and teachings of our Native American Elders. Their words are simple and their voices are soft. We have not heard them, because we have not taken the time to listen. Perhaps now is the time to open our ears and our hearts to the words of wisdom they have to say.
If you are a Native American teen struggling between two worlds, know that you are not alone. You are part of the Sacred Hoop of Life. You are part of Creator's plan to keep your people and Mother Earth alive. You are the future of your people, the hope of the Elders, and an important part of the journey your Ancestors started.
Be proud of who you are, be proud of your culture and the ways of your Ancestors. Stand tall, for you come from a long line of noble and wise people. You have traditions to carry on, to pass on to your children some day.
I realize for some Native American teens it may be a difficult struggle to live in two worlds - the world of your Elders who try to carry on the traditional teachings of your Ancestors, and the world of the general society in America of the non-native peoples.
It may at times be very confusing and stressful to try to honor and respect the old ways yet at the same time learn how to live with the general public, to work, live and meld into the pot of a society of many cultures and ideals. There are so many rules and expectations for teenagers and at times it seems as though one is restricted from being the person they want to be or were meant to be. There is no shame in being who you are - there is no shame in being proud of your Ancestors - there is no shame in acknowledging your Elders.
It is up to you to not let your traditions, your culture, your language become a page lost in history. You have the knowledge, the wisdom and the nobility to walk in the path of your Ancestors, to walk proud and be a messenger to the world.
Turn to your Elders, sit with them, ask them questions, listen to their voices. They will not be on Mother Earth forever. You must listen to them while there is still time to learn. You are the one to pass on this wisdom and you will be able to do so with pride.
You can be such an important part of the people who are working to bring back the Harmony and Balance between humans, animals, Nature and all Creation. We are all related, the two-leggeds, the four-leggeds, the winged, the plants, all that Creator put on Mother Earth.
It is easy to hide behind a false front, to pretend to be someone you are not, to hide your pain and tears from everyone. It is heart-wrenching to feel that there is something you must learn about your people and their past yet afraid to reach out for that knowledge because you think you might be ridiculed by friends. Sometimes there may be a longing to be alone, out in a place where you can commune with Nature and carry on the rituals and traditions of your Grandfather's, but maybe you do not know how to do this.
Approach your Grandfather, or another Elder, ask them for help. Tell them your fears, your concerns - they will listen. Find an Elder who remembers the yearnings of youth and how they found the help they needed.
There is so much knowledge and help out there for Native American teens. There are so many books that can help you to learn and hold on to your heritage. Take advantage of these words from your Ancestors. For it is you who will carry them on and pass them on. Ask people at your public library for books about your own culture, books about the great spiritual leaders and tribal leaders, ask if they have computers you can use to search on the internet (most libraries do offer this service for free). Come to my Native American Forum at BellaOnline. You can become a forum member for free. There are people there, other members, and myself who may be able to help you understand your problems, give you resources and information, or just be a friend. Native American Forum
A great movie to watch is available on DVD and your local library may have a copy for you to check out. The name of the movie is "DREAMKEEPER". The story of a Lakota teenager (Eddie Spears) who reluctantly agrees to drive his wise old grandfather (August Schellenberg) from their South Dakota "rez" to an All Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The teen learns much from his Grandfather. This is a good movie for the whole family.
Check out the related links I provided for you below.
Some day, you will be an Elder of your people. You may be, one day, a Grandfather, or a Grandmother. Think of the unborn generations and what you will tell them of your people, your Ancestors.
Grandfather Great Spirit
All over the world the faces
of living ones are alike.
With tenderness they have
come up out of the ground.
Look upon your children
that they may face the winds
And walk the good road to the Day of Quiet.
Grandfather Great Spirit
Fill us with the Light.
Give us the strength to understand,
And the eyes to see.
Teach us to walk the soft Earth
as relatives to all that live.
*******
Native American Wisdom
Grandfather Great Spirit
