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2006/11/30
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 30 |
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"Someone must speak for them. I do not see a delegation for the four footed. I see no seat for eagles. We forget and we consider ourselves superior, but we are after all a mere part of the Creation." |
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--Oren Lyons, ONONDAGA |
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Whenever we make decisions, we need to look around and see who would be affected by them. If we change the course of a river , who, what will be affected? If we put poison on the gardens, who, what will be affected? If wee cut the trees and too many are cut, who, what will be affected? We need to become aware of the consequences of our actions. We need to pay attention to our thoughts. We are accountable to our children to leave the Earth in good shape. |
My Creator, help me make right decisions
2006/11/29
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 29 |
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"Life, the circle, a measurement with no beginning and no end." |
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--Phillip Deere, MUSKOGEE-CREEK |
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The circle teaches us how the Creator made things and how to live. It teaches us how we should look at creation. Life travels in a circle. In the East is the baby, to the South is the youth, in the West is the adult and in the North is the Elder. Then we return to the Earth Mother to start the cycle again. We observe what is `around us' from the center of the circle. This develops our point of view. We must be careful not to become self-centered. |
Great Spirit, let me observe life from the circle's point of view.
2006/11/28
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 28 |
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"People say that crisis changes people and turns ordinary people into wiser or more responsible ones." |
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--Wilma Mankiller, CHEROKEE |
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There is a saying, conflict precedes clarity. The Medicine Wheel teachings say, in order for something to change it must first go through a struggle. When a crisis enters our lives, other powers are there to help us. We will learn some lessons. Will I honor and respect the next crisis? |
Great Spirit, if a crisis occurs today, let me learn the lessons of wisdom.
2006/11/27
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 27 |
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"The Natural Law is a spiritual law. Its powers are both light and dark." |
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--Oren R. Lyons, Spokesman Traditional Circle of Elders |
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There are some characteristics that are evident in the system which the Creator made. He made balance, harmony and polarity. In other words, every (+) plus has a (-) minus. Every positive has a negative; every up has a down; every problem has a solution. The Spiritual Law is the same-it has light and dark. Both are good, so both need to be honored. Lessons can be learned on both sides. |
Great Spirit, teach me the powers of the Natural Laws.
2006/11/26
 Nov 24, 2006 6:17 pm US/Central
Red Lake Mother Asks For Help Finding Missing Sons
FBI Tipline: 1-866-333-4969
(AP) Red Lake, Minn. Dozens of trained searchers took to the woods, lakes and air Friday as the search continued for two young brothers who went missing two days earlier from the remote Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.
Alicia White -- the mother of Tristan Anthony White, 4, and Avery Lee Stately, 2 -- appealed for anyone who knows or has seen anything to come forward.
"They were just playing outside the last time I seen then, just playing outside. ... And that's the last time I seen them," she told reporters late Friday afternoon.
FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe said authorities have mounted a two-pronged investigation, trying to determine whether the boys wandered off or if foul play was involved. "We don't have any information that would lead us either way," he said.
White said Tristan has a medical condition that requires medication and he didn't take it Wednesday morning. She said he "loves water" and had wandered off before, "but we always found him. This is the first time we didn't find him."
Avery is "the sweetest little boy, just lovey-dovey" and would follow his brother anywhere, the mother said.
The boys' older brother, Lamont White, 8, stood with his mother at the news conference. The family also has twin 1-year-old girls.
"I just want to thank all the volunteers and law enforcement centers and all the people that are helping to find my grandsons," said the boys' grandfather, Myron Jones. "I'm praying for the best."
But the family also acknowledged that they were preparing for the worst, given that it's been cold and that searchers have found nothing. They said the boys probably would have turned up if they were still in the area.
The FBI offered a $20,000 reward on Friday for information about the boys, who disappeared from a yard in the heavily wooded Walking Shield area of the town of Red Lake between 9:30 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. Wednesday. It also created a special tip line for information about the case: (866) 333-4969.
Temperatures reached the mid 40s in the area Friday afternoon with lows in the low to mid 20s expected early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
McCabe said Friday's search began with the growing group of professionals who have been gathering in the heavily wooded reservation with hopes of finding the boys.
Dive teams equipped with underwater cameras went out Friday to check lakes and ponds near where the boys disappeared, although McCabe said ground searches had found no telltale breaks in the ice where the boys may have slipped in.
Aircraft, including several small unmanned airplanes equipped with cameras brought in by the FBI, searched from overhead, while federal, state and local law enforcement officers were on the ground. A rapid-response team of retired law enforcement officers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children arrived Thursday, McCabe said.
Since the boys disappeared, hundreds of volunteers on foot, horseback and four-wheelers also have combed the surrounding forest.
"The response from the Red Lake nation has been overwhelming," McCabe said.
The boys, both American Indian, have short brown hair and brown eyes.
Tristan was described as 3-feet-6 and wearing a dark blue Spider-man jacket with yellow trim, Levis jeans and black and gray winter boots. Avery was described as 2-feet tall and wearing a gray pullover sweat shirt that says "Timberland" on the front, faded Levis jeans and Spider-man tennis shoes.
The reservation differs from most reservations around the state in that the FBI has primary law enforcement jurisdiction on it.
The boys disappeared less than two years after 16-year-old Jeff Weise killed his grandfather and grandfather's girlfriend on the reservation on March 21, 2005, then went to the high school and killed seven more people, including a teacher and a security guard, before killing himself.
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
See You...
Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 26 |
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"In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family." |
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--Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders |
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We must pay attention to the role of the woman in the family. She is the heartbeat of the family. She should be respected and treated in a sacred manner. We should listen to her guidance. We should help make her role easier by helping with chores or just telling her how much we appreciate her. |
Great Spirit, I ask you to bless all the moms.
2006/11/25
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
See You...
Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 25 |
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"People and nations who understand the Natural Law are self-governing, following the principles of love and respect that insure freedom and peace." |
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--Traditional Circle of Elders, NAVAJO-HOPI Joint Use Area |
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The Natural Laws work hand-in-hand with the circle. Each part of a circle will look to the center and will see something different. For example, if you put an irregular shaped object in the center of a circle and you have people standing in a circle around the object, each one will describe it differently. Everyone in the circle will be right. Only by honoring and respecting everyone's input, can the truth about the object be revealed. We need to learn to honor differences. |
My Creator, let me honor all differences.
2006/11/24
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have youself a Great Day
See You...
Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 24 |
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"Things would go well for us if we would think positively about everything." |
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--Mary Hayes, CLAOQUOT |
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Each of our thoughts are like individual seeds. These thoughts will plant our life garden. Whatever our thoughts, they grow in our gardens. Each day we will process about 50,000 thoughts or thought seeds. Positive thoughts will produce positive results. Have you ever been aware of what you are thinking about during the day? Of the possible 50,000 thoughts in one day-if the positive thoughts were flowers and the negative thoughts were weeds-how would your garden look at the end of the day? |
Great Spirit, let me plant positive seeds.
2006/11/23
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 23 |
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"We're sitting on our blessed Mother Earth from which we get our strength and determination, love and humility-all the beautiful attributes that we've been given. so turn to one another; love one another; respect one another; respect Mother Earth; respect the waters-because that's life itself!" |
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--Phil Lane, Sr. YANKTON SIOUX |
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Our entire point of view can be altered by making one change to align with the principles of the Great Spirit. Let's say we decide to become respectful. As we become respectful, our attitude will change. We will automatically draw into our lives knowledge about the other principles of the Great Spirit such as love, appreciation, trust, beauty, peace of mind. By focusing on these principles, we will let go of selfishness, self centeredness, self pity, dishonesty and fear. You focus on respect, you get respect; you focus on love, you get love; you focus on the Red Road, you get peace of mind. |
Great Spirit, let me learn the lessons of respect.
2006/11/22 A report recommending Ottawa relocate a remote northern Ontario
reserve closer to a city has some people questioning whether the
move is a form of assimilation or a path toward a more hopeful
future.
Released Thursday by Alan Pope, a special adviser to the Indian
affairs minister, the report recommends the troubled community of
Kashechewan be moved 480 kilometres south from the shores of James
Bay to the outskirts of the city of Timmins.
Alan Pope is a former Ontario cabinet minister and Timmins lawyer.
(CBC) The community — which has been plagued by annual flooding,
contaminated water, poor housing, and an 87 per cent unemployment
rate — has been evacuated three times in the past two years.
Aboriginal leaders are taking the report back to Kashechewan to
begin community consultations on its recommendations.
Some Kashechewan residents who have already moved to Timmins support
the recommendation.
Fifteen-year- old Brent Wesley, whose family sends him from the
reserve to a high school in the city of 50,000, is excited about the
idea of a relocation.
Continue Article
"Kashechewan is going to be somewhere else. I think it's pretty
cool," he said.
Corine Wabino moved to Timmins three months ago and now works at an
aboriginal day care that opened to serve the growing influx of Cree
from northern communities.
Wabino says she moved hundreds of kilometres south to give her
children a better future, in particular a better education for her
boys, who are both in high school.
Residents welcome idea
Timmins residents said while Pope's recommendation caught them off
guard, they're open to the idea.
"Doesn't bother me. People gotta live," said Bob Ursulak.
"Actually I think it's great," said Lois Windsor. "I think they
deserve to be looked after properly. Once everything's ironed out
there, the details … I think it'll be a good idea."
Those details include where the new reserve would be located within
the municipality and how much the relocation would cost.
Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has not said
whether Ottawa would fund the relocation. Prentice says that will be
worked out once the community decides what to do.
"Obviously we'll be interested and, of course, it will mean
negotiations with the federal government," said Timmins Mayor Victor
Power.
MPP has questions
The provincial member of parliament for Timmins-James Bay, NDP
Gilles Bisson, wonders whether the report is an admission of defeat
on the government's part.
"We're basically saying to First Nations people, 'We've let you
down. The system doesn't work, and by the way, our response? We'll
assimilate you,'" said Bisson.
He says he understands why young people want to get off their
reserve, but questions how such a move would affect the community's
cultural identity.
"You see yourself living in a house with 20 people with mould, with
water plants that don't work, with schools that are closed," said
Bisson.
"Anywhere is better than where you are, so I can understand the
appeal."
Bisson says the Mushkegowuk people are proud and connected to their
roots and land.
"You can't pull 1,500 people off the land. There's a cost to that
emotionally and psychologically for them."
Pope, a former Ontario cabinet minister, has recommended the
residents of Kashechewan retain their traditional lands, giving them
the chance to return to the area around Albany River to hunt and
fish.
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 22 |
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"It's the most precious thing...to know absolutely where you belong. There's a whole emotional wrapping-around-of-you here. You see the same rock, tree, road, clouds, sun -- you develop a nice kind of intimacy with the world around you. To be intimate is to grow, to learn...[it] is absolutely fulfilling. Intimacy, that's my magic word for why I live here." |
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--Tessie Maranjo, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO |
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Every human being, to be mentally healthy, must have the feeling of belonging. When we have a sense of belonging we can be intimate. We can feel. We can connect. If we cannot develop this feeling of belonging, then we will feel lost of disconnected. To be disconnected from life is like walking around during the day not knowing the Sun exists. To have the feelings of intimacy is warm, glowy, joyful, loving and connected. The feeling this Elder is talking about is available to everyone. |
Great Spirit, let me be intimate.
2006/11/21
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 21 |
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"In the absence of the sacred, nothing is sacred -- everything is for sale." |
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--Oren Lyons, ONONDAGA |
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The Elders often say that when something is sacred it has spiritual value. You'll hear, on the Earth there are sacred spots. You'll hear, our ceremonies are sacred, our children are sacred, marriage is sacred. When something is sacred it means it's so holy you can't attach a value to it. Therefore, it's not for sale. It's an insult to suggest buying something sacred. On the other hand, if we look at it differently, as there is no sacred land, ceremonies are not sacred, our children are not sacred, etc., then everything is for sale. Sacredness creates spiritual space. Sacredness makes things holy. Sacredness shows respect for God. |
Great Spirit, let me honor things that are sacred.
2006/11/20
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 20 |
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"Money cannot buy affection." |
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--Mangas Coloradas, APACHE |
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In these modern times we put too much emphasis on material things and on money. We believe that money is power. If we have money, people will respect us. If we have money, people will admire us. If we have money, we can have anything we want. Maybe we can purchase anything in the material world, but we cannot purchase anything in the Unseen World. The Unseen World is not for sale. It can only be given away. Love, affection, admiration, trust, respect, commitment -- these must be earned or given away. If we use these things from the Unseen World, we are using real power. |
My Creator, let me demonstrate Your power today. Let me be loving to all I meet.
2006/11/19
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 19 |
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"Indians chase the vision, white men chase the dollar." |
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--John (Fire) Lame Deer, ROSEBUD LAKOTA |
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Since the beginning of time, Indian people have been blessed with the ability and knowledge of the vision. The vision determines our future. The concept is, we move toward and become that which we think about. We have known that all visions are about the Great Spirit. They should include God's will in every area of our lives. We should have visions about our people, about healthy relationships, about helping others, about being happy, about being educated. Each day we should renew our vision. We should ask the Creator to give us a vision of what He wants us to be and where He wants us to go in our lives. We should be the seekers of vision. |
Great Spirit, give me a vision to follow today. Let me do Your will.
2006/11/18
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 18 |
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"Power is not manifested in the human being. True power is in the Creator." |
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--Oren Lyons, ONONDAGA |
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The Old Ones say the only true power is spiritual power. Sometimes our egos tell us we have power but really we don't. Great Spirit power is called by other names such as love, forgiveness, intelligence, life, principles and laws. When the Creator uses this power to make the human being powerful, we4 must stay humble. We should constantly acknowledge that we are who we are. We do what we do because of the power of the Great One. |
Great One, guide me to use Your power well. I will use it only to serve the people.
2006/11/17
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 17 |
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"Humbleness means peace, honesty -- all mean Hopi. True, honest, perfect words -- that's what we call Hopi words. In all languages, not just in Hopi. We strive to be Hopi. We call ourselves Hopi because maybe one or two of us will become Hopi. Each person must look into their heart and make changes so that you may become Hopi when you reach your destination." |
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--Percy Lomaquahu, HOPI |
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The Creator has made available to us all the laws, principles and values which we need to know to live in harmony. The Creator also designed each human being to learn and grow by trail and error. We have tools to help us live the right way. We have prayers, visions, nature, teachers, Elders, and we have the Great Spirit to talk to and ask for help when we have problems. We also have choice. To walk the Red Road takes courage and a lot of prayer. |
Creator, give me courage to walk the Red Road.
2006/11/16
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
Have yourself a Great Day
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 16 |
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| "We do not want riches, but we want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches, we want peace and love." |
| --Red Cloud, OGLALA LAKOTA |
| The Elders say that what is important is peace and love. To have material things is okay, but if not, that's okay too. To have peace and love is more important than anything material. Our children will see the value of peace and love only if adults show they are a priority. Too often we think we can offer material things and they will replace the time spent with our children. But the most important way to give our children peace and love is to spend time with them. |
My Creator, give me Your peace and love today.
2006/11/15
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 15 |
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"Our Spiritual belief is that we were created as part of the land - so our identity, our names, and our songs are all tied to the land." |
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--Chief Roderick Robinson, NISGA'A |
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In the traditional way, the names of native people had great meaning. We even had naming ceremonies. The naming of someone was very important and had great significance because it was tied to the Earth. The identity of each member and the teachings of the songs were all tied to Mother Earth. We need to know these teachings from our culture. This knowledge will help us heal the people. |
My Maker, today help me find my identity.
2006/11/14
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Welcome to Agokwa in Ojibwa
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 14 |
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"The hearts of little children are pure, and therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss." |
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--Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) OGLALA LAKOTA |
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Sometimes adults think they know more than the children. But the children are closer to the truth. Have you ever noticed how quickly they can let go of resentments? Have you ever noticed how free they are of prejudice? Have you ever noticed how well the children listen to their bodies? Maybe adults need to be more like children. They are so innocent. The children pray to the Creator and trust that He will take care of them. |
Grandfather, today let the children be my teacher.
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