Waterbird's Nest: Feb 6, 2008

Triple Splendor

by: Pamela Waterbird Davison

Our world is cruel in its beauty, so heartbreaking and breathtaking. Everywhere we look we can see the balance of wildness and calm. From hurricane winds to waves of flames, from peaceful streams brimming with fish to seashores dancing with dolphins, our Mother can be as exquisite as she is vicious.

I see the same in we humans. We can look at each other with such force of judgment there’s no room for forgiveness. Yet we can be stunningly compassionate and understanding. But, sometimes, we fall out of balance with the sacred lessons Mother teaches us. She shows us that even after her rage is spent something really astonishing happens. Beauty returns ten-fold.

Once in a while it feels like all we know is the unbelievable current we struggle against, and we just can’t seem to do anything right, and everyone is brutal in their opinion that it doesn’t feel like we’ll ever find ourselves back to where we’re supposed to be. Staying in center is a distant memory. But I know beauty is on the way. It comes in the way of forgiveness.

If someone steals my shoes their feet must be so very cold. If someone tries to steal my dignity they must need it much more than I. My compassion for both thieves is equal. And if I am to seek peace and beauty then I must be forgiving of others, but also to myself then release the fear of loving back into a place of learning.

It’s okay to be angry with the ones we love. It’s okay to vent our winds of fury against the injustices we perceive. Yet we’ve got to remember something very important. We’re all here together. We’re all doing the best we can with what we have to work with. We can be hurt and disappointed when others fail to meet our expectations, but we must know we do the same. We crash, burn, and destruct just like everyone else.

Forgiveness will allow those wounds to heal, both in those who’ve committed their anger our way (justified or not) as well as to ourselves, because none of us are perfect.

So I look to Mother and realize I can become exquisite if I let people think and feel what they must, then forgive them and myself, for the mistakes. When we go to the other side we don’t take all that with us. But I don’t want to leave it behind either. I want to know I’ve done the best I can while I was here, even with all my human frailties.

After all, we each come from Spirit and if we’re worthy of being here together it must be because we are each sacred. And if each person is Creator manifested would I not forgive my Creator? I did the math and concluded that if our Mother can be sick and angry yet still find a way back to triple splendor, then surely I can have the same capacity. It’s heartbreaking and breathtaking all at the same time.

Featured website: Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum of Big Cypress Reservation

"Che-hun-ta-mo!"

In our language, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki means ‘a place to learn’ We invite you to come to the Big Cypress Reservation and learn about our exciting history and culture. The museum exhibits and rare artifacts show how our Seminole ancestors lived in the Florida swamps and Everglades. The museum film, 'We Seminoles,' tells our story in our own words, including our dramatic struggle to remain in Florida. Nature trails will take you throughout the beautiful 60-acre cypress dome to a living village. The museum also has interactive computers, and a Native American gift shop. See you at the museum."

"Sho-naa-bish!"

The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Reservation is comprised of 3 buldings, 5,000 square feet of exhibition space, and a one-mile nature trail through a cypress dome located on museum property.

The staff here is committed to improving and updating our exhibition offerings in both museum locations throughout the year. We sincerely hope that you will come back and visit us often.

Want to know more? Click here: http://www.ahtahthiki.com/#

Activist continues to fight for American Indians

Man who organized walk in 1978 plans another march to bring light to plight of indigenous people

By: Rich Freedman

When the American Indian community needs a fighter, a negotiator, a man of wisdom and passion, the burden often falls on Dennis Banks.

It has been that way for 40 years, since Banks started the American Indian Movement. He led the 19-month takeover of Alcatraz in 1969, the Trail of Broken Treaties caravan in 1972, the occupation of Wounded Knee and the 71-day siege in 1973.

In 1978, he helped organize the first Longest Walk from California to Washington, D.C., to publicize to the nation and the world the plight of the indigenous people.

Thirty years later, Banks is still walking for American Indian rights. On Feb. 11, he and other activists will gather on Alcatraz to begin the 30th anniversary of the Longest Walk to Washington.

"Thirty years ago, I thought we'd do it once and that would be it," he said. "But the idea keeps going. Full steam ahead. Until I go to the grave, I'll be walking.

"They'll drag me across the country. I'll put wheels on my body, and they'll drag me."

Vallejo resident Norman "Wounded Knee" DeOcampo is full of praise for Banks. "I can compare Dennis with a lot of leaders across this country. I compare him with Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Crazy Horse."

Part of the cross-country crusade is education -- both in the mainstream press and among American Indians.

"We're losing our leaders," Wounded Knee said. "And we need to reach to the young people and get them involved."

Read the whole story here: http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_8173185?nclick_check=1

Tribe plans to preserve Arapaho language

By: Chris Merrill

ETHETE —The Northern Arapaho Council of Elders estimates that there are 225 — maybe 230 — fluent speakers of Arapaho left on the planet.

Almost all are over the age of 60, and every time a fluent speaker dies, usually of old age, the number drops by one.

The Arapaho language “is now in its 59th minute of the last hour of survival,” the Council of Elders wrote recently. But as it confronts this crisis, the council believes there is an opportunity to resuscitate the tongue, and in so doing preserve and reinvigorate the Arapaho culture.

The tribe has announced plans to establish an “immersion” school for Arapaho children to learn the tribal language.

Check out this video clip: http://www.trib.com/slideshow/arapaho_language/