Tag Archive for Native American

Are We Only a Strand?

October 4, 2018 Comments Off on Are We Only a Strand?

As I look out my window, I hear the sounds of traffic and see some birds flying south above that neighbor who is a pain in the, well, in the southern  regions. And their tree that is developing multi-colored leaves. I’m reminded that today I will see even more, including a variety of people doing a variety of things, and I’m reminded of this saying, which I present to you as today’ Thursday Thought.

 

        THIS WE KNOW…

                                                                       

   The earth does not belong to man…

man belongs to the earth.

   All things are connected like the blood that unites one

family.

   Man did not weave the web of life… 

he is merely a strand in it.

            Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.

                                                            —Native American saying

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Seeds of Peace

March 30, 2018 Comments Off on Seeds of Peace

Because of the significance of the season--notably Good Friday today, beginning of Passover tonight, Easter Sunday in two days–I’d like us all to think about peace.

PEACE is God’s loving gift to us.  All He asks is that we accept it together.  All of us, from all faiths.  One way is through “The Peace Seeds.”  These 12 prayers were prayed in  Assisi on the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace.  They are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Shinto, Native African, Native American, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian.  They may refer to the Life Force in different ways, but all call on it to help us attain the peace our Father wishes for us.

Let each prayer touch you deeply, where your longing for peace lives. Feel the unity of the world is in its craving for peace.  Then call upon God using each prayer.  You may want to change the references you aren’t comfortable with: “Vedic Law” in the Hindu to “Holy Law” or “Buddhahood” to “Your Will.” Remember: God wants not mere words from us but a unified desire to accept His gift.

You’ll find the Peace Seed Prayers at http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/blessings-and-prayers/interfaith-prayers-for-peace.

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Dead Trees and Money

January 7, 2017 Comments Off on Dead Trees and Money

Here’s something for my usual Sensible Saturday posting that is a slap across the brain…or wallet.

 

 

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Mining the Grand Canyon?!

January 16, 2016 Comments Off on Mining the Grand Canyon?!

I’m really concerned by possible uranium mining in our precious Grand Canyon.  It was threatened before.  Then a coalition of conservationists, Native American tribes, and activists banded together to get the Grand Canyon protected via a moratorium on mining there.  However, as power shifts and special interests put on pressure (uranium mining is very lucrative), that could change.  This is, after all, an election year.

There’s a movement to protect the Canyon forever by having it declared a Heritage National Monument.  If you’d like to learn more and/or sign a petition to President Obama, go to Support the Greater Grand Canyon Heritage National Monument.  (If the link doesn’t work, go to http://grandcanyontrust.nonprofitsoapbox.com/grandcanyonnationalmonument.)

 

 

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A New Native American Tragedy

July 29, 2015 Comments Off on A New Native American Tragedy

Our government is doing it again to Native Americans.  Congress is giving away their land to a large foreign mining company.  Not just any land, though; it’s a a beautiful, forested land AND a sacred site.  The Apache tribe reveres this Oak Flat, Arizona, site–it’s holy land to them.  It will be destroyed by the upcoming copper mining.

Imagine a government deciding to ravish land that your religion considers holy.

There is still time to stop this.  Go to http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Apache_land?t=2&akid=15087.3296984.sK6NQq and sign the petition to congress that’s simple and direct:  “Repeal the Oak Flat land exchange and stop the transfer of this sacred Native American land to a foreign mining giant.”

 

 

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G.B. Shaw Knows his Dogs

January 15, 2015 Comments Off on G.B. Shaw Knows his Dogs

Here’s a Thursday Thought from George Bernard Shaw:

“A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most.”

‘Nuff said……

 

 

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