Introduction
The interconnectedness of life is acknowledged by the Indigenous people of the Earth; those who carry fragments of memories from the ancient shamanism that was part of the dawn of Creation. This deep white magic and life-enhancing shamanism that existed before the advent of linear time corrupted its innocence, was designed to strengthen the interrelated oneness of life. It gave guidance through its pearls of wisdom in every aspect of life to strengthen the oneness of existence. To this day the Lakota people end every prayer with the words: “All my relations…” “Aho Mitakyue Oyasin”.
Indigenous Worldview (Interview With the Elders):
“In accordance with the oral traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains of Turtle Island, what is known today as North America, each indigenous nation has its own Creation story. Many of those within the Algonquin linguistic group have very similar creation stories.
These stories are told during sacred ceremonies, as legends and wisdom teachings, and when the elders teach the young people. The people of the Cree Nation tell these legends only at times when there is snow on the ground.
Legends that speak of the creation of the world include the original instructions that were given to the Indigenous Peoples by the Creator. When the Creator planted a tree on Turtle Island, He said that if we wanted to communicate with Him, we would do so by using the rock, the wood, fire, and tobacco. When we use these sacred tools, like the pipe, we use the red pipestone rock for the bowl and the wood for the pipe stem. When those two are joined together, it creates a unique energy, which makes them very sacred. We use them in this way to communicate with the Creator."
Diary Entry
I pitched my little tent on the Nez Perce Reservation in Northern Idaho after getting permission from the Tribal offices. I had enough time to get myself settled in before the shadows grew long and the audacious crows retreated for the night. I was left with the dulcet whisperings of the river’s water in the reeds.
I hung sweetgrass on my tent and went for a quick bath in the river. The river was fed by the distant mountains’ spring melt off and it stung my skin with cold. I bathed rapidly and then sat wrapped in a blanket on a rock – my body tingling, but invigorated.
The pink and purple hues of the sky had turned to grey when a massive eagle dove with ferocious speed, grabbing a large fish no more than 10 feet in front of me. In weighted flight, he carried his shimmering treasure into the distant trees. His cry of victory splitting the twilight.
I made my way to my tent and lit my pre-prepared fire. My heart was filled with gratitude for this perfect night. I was in deep peace and at one with the world. My simple meal tasted like a king’s feast in the presence of the cricket’s chorus that night. This was all I needed to be happy, I thought, as I watched the sparks from my fire rising up and disappearing into the night…