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2008/12/31 Oh my and our Creator as I pray for that great peace to come to my people over 501 years how long do my people the Red Nation have to let on our Frist Mother Planet earth with all the pain and soror of what has happen to Us as a people Grand fathers and Grand mothers I love all people of this Eart for we were all spiritaul people at One time and we live as One Creator plaese Help me Help the people of this earth we call our Mother,,,I love you and i walk with this great pain each day for the people...i love my peace peace on eareth good will to everyone from mee to you always ware ever i am ...love Rod... 2008/1/13
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 HIV rates among Canada's Aboriginal community continue to rise at alarming rates – and women face the highest risk. 2008/1/12
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What would Sitting Bull do? First Nation's bold move south of border will be interesting to watch.
2008/1/8
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Can a Person With HIV Make It Through Medical School?I've been considering going to medical school to study infectious diseases, but my family thinks it's foolish for a person with HIV to chase this dream. Could an HIV-positive person complete the eight-year course of study necessary to become a doctor? If I go through with this plan, do you have any advice on how I should protect my health while I pursue it? 2008/1/7
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A Canadian indigenous leader claims the babies of Aboriginal people living in residential schools were often killed and buried because there births were the result of sexual abuse. Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association spokesman Dean Brown says many survivors of the residential schools talk about scores of hastily buried bodies. 2008/1/2
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Mounties to prepare residential school probe
BILL CURRY
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
January 1, 2008 at 12:45 AM EST
OTTAWA — Former students plan to allege criminal deaths took place at Indian residential schools when they appear before a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the RCMP has been told to be ready to investigate.
Commission chief Bob Watts said he has met three times with police in the past year to advise them on the accusations former students are preparing to make. His comments mark the first time a senior official has acknowledged allegations deadly crimes were committed at the schools and that many children were buried without their parents being notified.
"We know that in different periods of time there were higher death rates at the schools than other periods of time," Mr. Watts told The Globe and Mail.
"Some of it may be from [tuberculosis], some of it may have been from outbreaks of influenza and other types of sicknesses and some of it may well be things that are more criminal in nature."
As executive director, Mr. Watts is responsible for setting up the commission, which was created as part of a class-action settlement between former students, the churches and Ottawa. Over the past year, he has visited aboriginal communities and is taking part in a closed-door advisory panel with church leaders on the subject of former students who disappeared.
Mr. Watts said he has been told that incidents of children disappearing at the schools were "quite widespread," but that there probably are few, if any, records.
"If a child didn't come back home because of something that was criminal, for example, it's probably not going to be in any records," he said. "We've heard stories about children being so severely punished, for example, that they died. So the commissioners are going to have to sort through how they are going to tackle this."
Mr. Watts said former students will also speak of deaths caused by criminal negligence, such as placing healthy children in dorms with those fighting infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.
Once the names of the commission chair and two co-chairs are announced early this year, the commission will have a five-year mandate to tour the country gathering testimony and documents to compile the official history of Canada's residential schools.
An RCMP spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that police are "working very closely" with Mr. Watts but declined further comment until the commissioners are in place.
Mr. Watts said many of the accused will likely be dead. As a result, native elders are requesting the commission include some form of ceremonial activity to acknowledge any crimes that went unpunished.
Churches started the residential schools as part of European missionary work to spread Christianity.
They received federal funding from about the 1870s to the 1970s. Former students have recently begun to allege abuses that went beyond physical and sexual.
This has been driven in large part by Kevin Annett, a former United Church minister who had an acrimonious split from the church in 1995. Mr. Annett has spent more than a decade chronicling and videotaping former students telling particularly disturbing stories of their time spent at residential schools.
His work is compiled in a film called Unrepentant: Kevin Annett and Canada's Genocide and in an accompanying book.
Mr. Annett argues the actions of Canada, the churches and police fit the United Nations definition of genocide, which defines the term more broadly than mass killings. For instance, the definition includes "forcibly transferring children of the group to another group."
Several former students have said the RCMP gathered native children from their communities to attend the faraway schools and tracked down students who fled. As a result, Mr. Annett argues that many students grew up fearful of the RCMP.
"The very fact that this is finally being talked about is promising, so I think that's to be welcomed," Mr. Annett said.
"But I think the fact that they're acknowledging there's a criminal element means it's really necessary for there to be an international investigation here, because it's an indication even more so of genocide."
The United Church said on its website, in response to Mr. Annett's film, that it has no knowledge of the allegations of murders, secret burials, medical experimentation and pedophile rings contained in the documentary. It urges any evidence be presented to police.
Recommend this article? 46 votes
View the most recommended 2007/11/4
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"The honor of the people lies in the moccasin tracks of the woman. Walk the good road.... Be dutiful, respectful, gentle and modest my daughter... Be strong with the warm, strong heart of the earth. No people goes down until their women are weak and dishonored, or dead upon the ground. Be strong and sing the strength of the Great Powers within you, all around you."
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--Village Wise Man, SIOUX
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The Elders say the Native American women will lead the healing among the tribes. We need to especially pray for our women, and ask the Creator to bless them and give them strength. Inside them are the powers of love and strength given by the Moon and the Earth. When everyone else gives up, it is the women who sings the songs of strength. She is the backbone of the people. So, to our women we say, sing your songs of strength; pray for your special powers; keep our people strong; be respectful, gentle and modest. |
Oh, Great One, bless our women. Make them strong today.
2007/11/3
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"A sundance woman is like the morning star, filled with spiritual beauty, wisdom and knowledge. Men and women are the most powerful of the polarities. We walk beside men as equal partners. It takes men and women who have respect and love for one another to live within the embrace of Father Sky and Mother Earth."
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--Dr. Henrietta Mann, SOUTHERN CHEYENNE
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Our ceremonies bring out the best in us. It's in the ceremony that we find the place of honor and respect for each other. The place where the men honor the women and the women honor the men. We dance for each other. The ceremony helps us remember our responsibility toward each other. Men and women need to be strong, to love one another and be faithful. Only by doing this can we give our children knowledge of good relationships. |
Great Spirit, today I will notice the power of the women; today I will notice the power of the men.
2007/10/25
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"What does it matter how long I pray, so long as my prayers are answered?"
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--Sitting Bull, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA
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Too often we worry about the words we use in prayer. We focus on the words. What really counts is the spirit and intent behind our words. It is the spirit and intent that the Creator responds to. He reads and listens to our heart. Prayer isn't only when we fold our hands and pray. Prayer is when we talk to the Creator even when we are walking down a path or sitting on a hill or walking in the mountains. The Elders say, walk in prayer. We should be willing to talk with the Great One. |
Great Spirit, today I will pray to You all day. Listen to my heart.
2007/10/16
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Dear Rod,
Today we celebrate a major environmental victory in British Columbia, Canada, as five million acres (2.2 million hectares) of critical habitat are being protected for the mountain caribou, one of North America's most endangered mammals.
I want you to know your online actions have made a big difference. We couldn't announce this exciting news without you if you hadn't taken the time to show the BC government that you care about caribou!
For the past three years activists, organizations, celebrities, consumers, and business leaders have given so much to the campaign to protect mountain caribou habitat in the Inland Temperate Rainforest from logging and road building.
This announcement means British Columbia is moving forward with habitat protections that represent a significant commitment to the survival of one of North America's most endangered mammals. Not only that, we believe the bar has been raised for forest protection in British Columbia. People recognize the importance of old-growth forests for clean air and water, and climate change mitigation; governments now must too!
The mountain caribou recovery implementation plan means:
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5.4 million acres (2.2 million hectares) are protected from logging and road building. This includes new protections amounting to over one million acres (380,000 hectares) and upgraded protections over hundreds of thousands more;
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95% of the high suitability caribou habitat identified by the BC government's caribou science team will be protected;
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A commitment to develop new management approaches in remaining habitat that will restore forests to conditions that support a healthier predator-prey balance;
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Development of stewardship agreements for commercial and non-commercial snowmobiling, heli-skiing and cat-skiing, and legal access closures of areas that science team members deem important for caribou.
Nearly one-third of the last remaining mountain caribou on Earth have been wiped out. Now, about 1,900 remain and there is a new hope for them and us with this announcement.
Attention now shifts to the painstaking work of achieving legalization of the government's promises. We will be calling on you for your continued support to hold the BC government accountable as the protections move through government processes towards legislation, expected in spring 2008. Learn more.
Help us congratulate the BC government on this major milestone, and encourage them to move quickly to legally implement habitat protections. Send a thank you message to BC Premier Gordon Campbell and Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell.
We are so happy to share this victory with you.
Sincerely,
The entire staff of ForestEthics 2007/10/8
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"I think there was a big mistake made (when) people separated religion and the government. That was one of the big mistakes that was made, because when they did that, then they removed the Creator from their life - or at least from half to three-quarters of their life."
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--Tom Porter, MOHAWK
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The Elders tell us that every thing the Creator made is interconnected. Nothing can be separated. The Elders say we should pray before we do anything. We should ask the Creator, what do You want us to do? We are put on the Earth to do the will of God. If we run our governments, communities, families or ourselves without the spiritual we are doomed to failure. |
My Creator, guide my life to include the spiritual in everything I do.
2007/10/2
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"Laughter - that is something very sacred especially for us Indians."
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--John (Fire) Lame Deer, ROSEBUD LAKOTA
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Laughter is mental, laughter is emotional, laughter is physical and laughter is spiritual. Laughter helps us find balance. If we get too angry, laughter will turn that emotion in a balanced direction. If we have a mental picture of someone who is too strong, laughter will help ease the tension. If the body is stressed, laughter will release natural relaxants into our muscles and our nervous system. Laughter often changes our attitude. We need to lighten up and laugh more. |
Great Spirit, teach me to laugh.
2007/10/1
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"So don't be afraid. What we left behind, leave it back there. Try to do some good. Let's try to take a step, try to think something good."
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--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
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Every day is a new day. Sometimes we make mistakes. We do not need to carry these mistakes along with us. Take the lessons and leave the mistakes behind. Look forward to today. Today we can do something good. Today we can have good thoughts. Today we can think kind, uplifting thoughts about ourselves. Today I will think good about ... |
My Creator, today I ask You to direct my thoughts.
2007/7/13
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - July 13
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"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and You are older than all need, older than all prayer...You are the life of all things."
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--Black Elk, OGLALA SIOUX
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Great Spirit - Sometimes I don't feel like praying. Sometimes when I have done something wrong, I'm ashamed to come to You. Even though You have always been there for me, I sometimes choose to stay away. It's hard for me to understand what all knowing is. Sometimes it's hard for me to see how much You really care. But I know if I take a few minutes and think about what I know to be true about You, the things change and I am able to realize Your power and Your love. Today, I'll start by thinking of You. I'll think about all the times You have helped and guided me in the past. You are life, You are love, You are power, You are desire, You are truth, Your are principle, You are intelligence, You are courage. With You I am everything; without You I am nothing. |
Creator, thank You for allowing me to start my day with You.
2007/7/12
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"Each man is good in the sight of the Great Spirit."
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--Sitting Bull, TETON SIOUX
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Our bodies are both physical and spiritual. At our very center we are spiritual. Our bodies are built around the spiritual. The center is the unseen world. Therefore, we cannot see it with our eyes and we tend to judge the body because we can see it. The body is not who we are. We can see the spiritual if we are spiritual ourselves. We won't see this always with our physical eyes. Usually we will see it with our spiritual eye. We will hear ourselves say "I know this to be true." |
At the center of all human beings is the place of good. That includes myself. At my very core is good. I can find this place by staying free of resentments, fear, dishonesty and self-seeking motives. My Creator, keep me free this day of resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and fear.
2007/7/11
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best of men. Death will come, always out of season. It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. What is past and what cannot be prevented should not be grieved for..."
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--Big Elk, OMAHA Chief
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Our earth continues to Grow by cycles and seasons: The cycles of growth - spring, summer, fall, winter. The cycles of the human being - baby, youth, adult, elder. It is through these cycles that we will experience the changes. I will not always necessarily agree with these changes but I need to trust the Grandfathers are in charge. Things will come and things will go. Really, I own nothing, the Creator owns all. Too often I label things as mine. I say this belongs to me, but it really belongs to the Creator. He gives me things to take care of. I need to do the best I can with what I have, with what I know at the time. And when the Creator changes things, I need to let go for His planning is the best. |
Oh Great Spirit, today let me do the best I can with what I know, with what I have. Let me experience acceptance of Your will.
2007/7/4
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In the Spirit of Peace and Unity,
ShiningThunderbirdEagleman
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Elder's Meditation of the Day
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"That is not our way, to set yourself apart and talk about who you are and what you've done. You let your life speak for you. With the Mohawk people, wisdom is how you live and how you interpret what your mother and father, what your grandmothers and grandfathers have told you about this world - and then how you interpret that into the fact of living every day."
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--Tom Porter, MOHAWK
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It is said, how you live your life makes so much noise that people can't hear what you are saying anyway. It is so easy to see people who do not walk the talk. |
Creator, I ask you today to help me be humble. Let me spend the day listening. Help me to not brag or gossip. Help me today not to do those things that seek attention or approval from others. I am only accountable to You, Oh Great Spirit. You will tell me the things I need to know. Let me learn the lessons from my Elders. Let me teach the children by example. Today, let me walk the talk.
2007/7/1
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - July 1
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"I'm an Indian, I'm one of God's children."
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--Mathew King, LAKOTA
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My Creator, today let me remember the reason I'm here on Mother Earth. Let me look into my own eyes and see the beauty You have created. Let me have good thoughts. Being Indian is not the color of my skin. Being Indian is to listen to my heart, to think only the things You have taught, to watch nature and live in harmony. Being Indian is to walk in prayer, to talk to You constantly during the day. Being Indian is to act and to walk in a sacred way. |
Today, let me think in beauty, let me walk in beauty, let me pray in beauty.
2007/6/22
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - June 22
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"The one who wishes to be a true medicine person must be a person of faith, and they can only work successfully with those who also have faith."
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--Fools Crow, LAKOTA
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Medicine People are spiritual beings who have made a decision to seek the Red Road. They sacrifice and seek the way of the Creator. After many years of dedication, the Grandfathers teach them about power and about laws and about how to use the medicine. The Medicine People develop tremendous faith in their medicine and in the Creator. When we go to the Medicine People, we too must have faith so they can help us. We can only be helped if we want to be helped. Because the Medicine People know how to help - that is only one half of it. The other half is up to us. We must have faith that the medicine has powers to help. |
My Creator, faith is belief without evidence. Today, give me the faith. Let me trust that You are running why life. Let me know You are in charge of all things. Let my mind not wonder; let me stand strong on Your path today.
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2007/6/18
ISSUES & HEALTH
AIDS VIGIL
The vigil moves to Allan Gardens from
its regular home due to city construction
in Cawthra Square Park. The hosts are
Rod Michano, an Ojibway man living with
HIV for the last 20 years, and Shannon
Soropia, who’s worked in the AIDS sector
for 23 years. With performances by
Billy Newton Davis, Singing Out,
Charlie Seminero and others; with
a special focus on the native community
in honour of Jun 21 being National
Aboriginal Day. 9pm. In the park
southeast of Carlton and Jarvis.
The519.org/programs/groups/hiv/aidsvigil.
RM VAUGHAN. Group show at MOCCA.
GEIN WONG. Get Your Lit Out at A Space.
All phone numbers are area
code 416, unless otherwise
stated.
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In the Spirit of Peace and Unity,
ShiningThunderbirdEagleman
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - June 18
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"I am particularly found of the little groves of oak trees. I love to look at them, because they endure the wintry storm and the summer's heat, and, not unlike ourselves, seem to flourish by them."
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--Sitting Bull, SIOUX
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Every season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, has gifts that it gives to all creatures. The animals will develop thicker furs just before Winter and will shed this fur in the Spring. Squirrels will store their food in the Fall; other animals build up fat so they can hibernate during the Winter. We can watch all forms of nature and see all creatures work in harmony with the seasons. The secret for us is to learn by observing nature. Watch the trees. Learn from them. We human beings need to learn the gifts and blessings of the seasons. |
Grandfather, Grandmother, teach me to live in harmony with the seasons.
Stanford Sinclair said...
Hey, we have been forced to live this way and adapt to such principles. This is not our culture...ever hear of the word "assimilation"? We have never suggested (or this blog for that matter) that money would solve anything. Money is a white man's method of classifying this Western-based society. Unfortunately, it has also become a means of paying Aboriginal people off for our misfortunes that are deeply rooted in systemic takeover and disinheritance. The Residential School Settlement is a classic example. Money is not a remedy that will likely ease the intergenerational pain and suffering that the Residential School policy has caused. As Aboriginal people, we lived and survived in our own distinct cultures without a form of currency for thousands of years. It isn't about money...it's about land and what was rightly ours before contact happened. Read a book called 'The Dispossessed'. It's fascinating and quite honest! Perhaps more honest than much of what the dominat society would like to admit or acknowledge.
In unity,
Stanford
June 18, 2007 10:04 AM
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Aboriginal land claims should be resolved as quickly as possible, but not in isolation from the big-picture issues that plague Canada's First Nations, says former Prime Minister Paul Martin.
2007/6/17
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In the Spirit of Peace and Unity,
ShiningThunderbirdEagleman
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"Your power comes from the songs."
--Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN
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If you do not know any of the songs, ask an Elder to teach you. Get yourself a drum. When you sing a song and play the drum, you'll be surprised how your mind, body, and spirit will react. Everything becomes calm and joyful. Our bodies love the songs. The songs allow us to touch the hand of the Creator. When we sing and touch the Great Spirit's hand, He gives us power. Songs are another way to pray. |
My Grandfather, teach me a song today.
2007/6/13
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RedSkyHealing.com
In the Spirit of Peace and Unity,
ShiningThunderbirdEagleman
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - June 13
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"We have and old saying, Everything living must die. Only the rocks and mountains are forever."
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--Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
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The Creator designed all life to happen in a circle. For example, the cycle of life for the human being is Baby, Youth, Adult, Elder, then we die. The trees and the leaves happen in a circle; the leaves bud, then the leaves mature, next the leaves change color and at last they fall off the tree to return to the Mother Earth. The birds bear their young, raise their young, then they die. The salmon are born, swim to the ocean, live their lives, swim back to the spawning grounds, then die. All aspects of the Life Cycle should be honored. |
Great Spirit, today, let me enjoy today.
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工具 
HIV rates among Canada's Aboriginal community continue to rise at alarming rates – and women face the highest risk. 
