The Beauty of Transformation

California Redwoods

One of the most referred to words that describe the Indigenous is transformation.  Why?  Because the original people were participants and observers of the Earth.  And, the Earth within the not-so-distant past held a strong presence to all living beings. I say not-so-distant, because the United States has been existent for only a mere 243 years in comparison to the thousands of years that the Indigenous lifeway was prominent not only on Turtle Island (north and south America) but in all the indigenous regions that have been colonized by the dominant forces of "civilized" Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  To be more honest about the colonial aggression, the finger is pointed at an elite minority of national rulers who use propaganda and subliminal tactics (on every communicative level) on their own people to manipulate their ideologies.  Thus a brainwashed prejudice populace thrives on competition (Darwinian influence) accelerated with hate methodologies so that they can feel or believe they are the best and therefore have the right to conquer and dominate all others. (Totally against all spiritual ethics).  

I must offer some context here.  For this discourse, I reference my Indigeneity to my North American Indigenous Ancestors of California.  My maternal grandmother was a Tamlko (Coast Miwok/Pomo) aboriginal woman from California and my maternal grandfather was an aboriginal man of the Shasta/Modoc peoples of California.  Many of my ancestors have more than 243 years of turbulent history, some began in the 1500s.   Hundreds of years before "California" there were no distractions and influences that contribute to mental health problems such as stress i.e.,  employment, property, taxes, education, and religion.  I know it sounds strange or even unimaginable (unless you reference John Lennon's "imagine") Like how could there be such existence without the former?

Well, there was. There was a structure and lifeway that focused on the Earth and its Spiritual force and the spiritual force that each living being exuded and responded to. This presence I term 'unuuni 'unu (Great Mother) in my ancestral Tamal Machachaw (Coast Miwok ancestral language).  It was even observed stronger then because the changes in the land were only brought about by the Earth and her need for change.  The energy was strong and the flow and its presence were unmistakable. People were more spiritually inclined as well as metaphysically adept. There were no dams, no harnessed electricity to manipulate the natural current and pulse of the Earth.  There were no organizations that held false power over the people.  Instead, there was a Spiritual energetic force that defined itself individually to each person as it was each person's responsibility to find their connection to it and thus their lifeway.
When people are participants and observers of the Earth's changes and seasons they are very adaptable and understand the reality that all things change.  There is no mindset that the environment must be made to be controlled in order to suit the needs and comforts of the ones desired to settle in the region.  People flowed with the energetic changes expressed by the elements and the seasons of the Earth.  When the season changed to shorten the days and lengthen the nights then people changed as well.  They did not invent tools to make them continue to do what they were doing before the change.  They transformed their lifestyle to the demands of the spirit of the season.

As I write this, the season is called the fall season. Perhaps because one of the main features of the season is the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees.  If you have trees in your region you will start to observe the fall's spirit. That is another topic as there are fewer and fewer trees on the planet and less to teach us the ways of the seasons.
One of the main downsides of the fall for most contemporary folk is accepting that the summer and the fun and easy times have come to an end. Now is the time is to go back to school and put our noses to the grindstone and be occupied mostly indoors for the most part of the season.

However, for many of my ancestors, it was harvest time that lasted through to the winter.  There were many opportunities to continue to participate out of doors.   The added aspect of fuller participation is upfront education through life experience. During the fall time, we are given another aspect of growing a relationship with the Earth as well as with those we live with and love.  As the leaves fall down to the Earth we return to those we are close to.  We stop growing and pushing forward in our lives because the body does not have the vibrancy it once experienced in the last season
We do not have to live in the past to understand this phenomenon.  We must change and transform our ways in order to be with the flow of life.  If not we get sick.

In fact, this is a time when my ancestors looked at death in the eye more frequently.  Perhaps the weaker and older ones who were suffering chose to leave the Earth at this time.  Just in the participation of the earth, children would observe death reflected in nature.  Questions were brought to the family and Elders to discuss mortality.   Nothing was hidden in such a world.  And who but those we trust conveyed the mysteries of the world to allow us to accept our lifeways in it with love and understanding.

However, today with all of our peoples under the dominance of colonization we seek to shelter our children from all the uncomfortable aspects of life.  We want them to be completely safe and comfortable. We induce so many distractions to deter loved ones from experiencing some of the facts of life.  I know even in our Native communities our younger parents shelter their children and adamantly demand that anything negative from the past is not given attention at our gatherings even at our GONA* events where most children attend.  They feel that they will find out about traumas and losses that our communities suffered sooner or later.  The most desired choice of exposure is later, and usually by someone else.  Wouldn't it be most beneficial for the child to hear about death, tragedy, and grief from someone they trust?  Even though it will be painful no matter how it is delivered they have the support through that transformational knowledge?  They would at least be in an environment that is familiar and one that supposedly makes them feel cared about?  Instead of someone that has no connection to the culture or family telling the stories from an outside perspective?  Wouldn't that child be confused and angry that they were not told such things about their own histories or family from someone they trusted?  This applies to all of us who have loss and trauma in our histories and families.  We all have issues, and instead of confronting them most of us keep dark and difficult concerns buried, or locked up and hidden away until the spirit of that history decides to rise up to be heard to heal.  *GONA (Gathering Of Native Americans).  A Program subsidized and funded by the Federal Government Program SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration).

" Cosmic Connection" graphic rendition of Medicine Wheel. D Marcus

And, the final ingredient to this scenario is that no matter what avenue one goes towards to seek answers to the darker mysteries of life such as death, birth, trauma, loss, and grief the spiritual ingredient, which is a fact of life is left out, unless one is exposed to it through Elders and family who live by spiritual ethics.  To transform, and transgress beyond the trauma to wellness, one must have a strong lifeway attached to the spiritual and many times it is cultural so support and love are found along the way.

As a young child in the 50s, propaganda from the media-induced the ideology of convenience and pleasure.  Every story had a happy ending.  Hence I grew up wanting and believing only in happy endings and as we all know, endings are not very happy until years down the road when we may come to realize that the ending was indeed very necessary to grow and live a more fulfilled life.
As an indigenous researcher, my journey has shown me that in order to grow and have a fulfilled life brought about through transformation one must have a very strong support system with a link to a recognized and existing spiritual lifeway. Then any transgression is a willingness to walk through a fire walking process, (a metaphor used for warriors).  This is not just for battlefield warriors, though some of us have gone through or come from battlefields.

A very powerful concept from an Indigenous perspective is "acceptance" in change.  Therefore, the idea of death and renewal is celebrated in many indigenous cultures.  I believe the beauty displayed by the vibrant gold, reds, russets, and rich earth siennas and forest greens incite the richness of transformation as well as the diversity of Indigenous peoples who can learn to live together and come together.

In Our Ancient Lands Podcast, Indigenous Pasifika Refections I interview Ruby Faagau regarding concerns and issues pertaining to Pacific Islander communities within the United States.  Ruby touches on some of this blog's topics and others that deal with immigration laws and reference for support.  Many of our relatives and ancestors have come to this land and had to adjust "change" their own identities.  My husband Marcus's family immigrated from Poland during the 1st world war and chose a different spelling for their last name thus a loss of past connections.  My Californian Indigenous ancestors were given European and/or Mexican names to transform into the existing dominant community.

In addition, Our Ancient Lands will be featuring in the upcoming months during this season, Barbara Burnside a Navajo warrior woman, who facilitates prayer walks for wellness.  She offers insights from an Indigenous perspective as a living example in order to live a good Indigenous life.  Stay tuned.

In the support work I service, the most powerful change in transformation I have found is having the strength to see that what was once something fulfilling much like a medicine, has now become a poison and no longer beneficial to our present lives.  When an individual can willingly let go of the coveted and used-to adornment (which can be people, place, objects or occupations), they are completely free to transform into what the Creators have had planned for them all along.  Another term in contemporary lingo is to "reinvent oneself".

Some of us are forced to change by circumstances that were truly residuals caused by the advent of ignoring the pulse of our lifeforce connected to the reality of the Earth.  When we can take the initiative with the consciousness of the pulse of change on our own, we can truly experience the beauty of transformation.  No psychoanalysis or medical physician can offer such healing.  Psychology and western medicine is a new science in the Western colonial environment.  Indigenous healing has been practiced since the dawn of humanity.

Today we can still observe the Indigenous cultures transformative beauty within art and music expression.  Materials that can not be resourced today or would be detrimental to the sustainability of their existence and the planet, are replaced by new contemporary materials to continue to bring forth the legacy of the aboriginal presence on the earth.

To hear more about this topic and conversation stay tuned to listen to my conversation with Scott Frazier with more of our conversational musing at Our Ancient Lands podcast in the upcoming months during this seasonal series.

If you are interested in an Indigenous approach and perspective on support through trauma, loss, grief and addiction concerns contact us at our website www.lutea.org to be on our mailing list or follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org/.


If you are interested in our future Fire Talk events in Crescent City CA while visiting the Redwoods add your contact information to our mailing list and subscribe on our website: www.lutea.orgwww.lutea.org or visit at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org/


Blessings during our seasons of change and transformation. May we understand more of our environmental relatives' teachings and learn to accept our place with them on Mother Earth.

The Height of Summer, Harvest Blessings and signs that remind us who we are.

photo from Ian 'OBrien Midday Sun

Summer is a very special time of year for me as it is the time that I entered into this world.  It is also the time my daughter came to Earth.
It is a blessed time for us to acknowledge our lives here and now together.  I must add my husband was born in the summer as well as one of my dearest friends.  All of us within a few weeks of each other.  Hence I believe (and I am grateful to the Creators) that our life force energy at this time is being heightened for renewal to celebrate each other.
I am the eldest of my siblings and my daughter is the only child, also considered the eldest position at birth.
Why am I going on with this birthday stuff?
Well, I have been reflecting on this subject ... and lately, in the social media, information is acknowledging non-Western traditional celebrations.  It is good to see Lughnasadh insights and perspectives on the internet at the beginning of the month.
I have always respected the Celtic Lughnasadh observance and celebration as I feel it is significantly appropriate to this time of year.

My understanding of the consciousness of Lughnasad was through the first Pentecost, the Judaic Pentecost Shavuot. Shavuot takes place after Passover in April, much of its significance and Philosophy reflect this time of year for me. Shavuot is one of the major Jewish harvest festivals that coincide with Lughnasad’s first harvest acknowledgments. From what I remember in my undergraduate World Religious Studies, the Jewish Pentecost asks of the firstborn male child to come forth to the Temple during the Shavuot celebrations to dedicate himself to God and to receive the blessings from the community through the ceremony by the Rabbi. Much like the Catholic confirmation significance. Such is the similarity with pagan observances, that what the Earth teaches, we seek to embody as well, and this is the renewing of our lives and the tremendous reality that we are in the flow of the magnificence of life.

I can not stop here as this observance and connection is also reflected in my California Native American culture within many of the ceremonies in the summertime, but especially in the Flower Dance Ceremony. The Flower Dance Ceremony is observed throughout Indigenous California communities that have returned to their traditional practices.  It is an honoring of the Feminine Sacredness. I also believe it is the acknowledgment and the community's support towards the young woman's conscious dedication on her sacred path with the Creators.  Many ethnographers and anthropologist have researched our peoples and referred to this ceremony as a puberty rite of passage.  However, if we can reflect on Lughnasadh and Shavuot, there is indeed an outer occurrence (first fruit/harvest and menses) that indicate a phenomenon is occurring amongst us. A blessed and sacred occurrence. A flower's budding is so precious because we can anticipate its beauty in its fullest bloom. The beauty of its bloom to maturity is assured because we know when we make the effort to cultivate and support its preciousness, beauty will be. Such is the power and significance of this time. We are bearing witness to the unfolding of such valuable and needed possibilities for us all. As a community, we must encourage and support with as much sincere effort as possible to demonstrate our appreciation and love to this new first offering. Whether a young initiate or our first fruits of the harvest, it is an honor to have their pure and blessed presence in our lives.

I must interject that the Green Corn ceremonies are very prevalent in Indigenous communities within North America as well.  Maise is a life-sustaining environmental relative to many North American Indigenous communities. Maise is easily comparable to wheat’s value in the European Celtic Lughnasadh's festivities. Both relatives are life-sustaining agents from Mother Earth embodying the Feminine life spirit we all belong to.  The women in our Native cultures are honored during such times as we are also life-givers.  During the Green Corn Ceremony, those that participant undergoes a purification process through fasting and prayer.  (Indigenous renewal participants traditionally go through a fast and an inner reflective sojourn) The ceremony suggests that the world as well as we are being renewed.  Thus, a time to forgive others and make amends so all is clean and new in our lives open our future towards the potential to grow into a rewarding experience.
To establish a lasting impression, these celebrations and acknowledgments did not happen in one day as we are so accustomed to practice in Western society.  In western civilization, a holiday is observed very much as a “high”...  Usually, our holidays occur within a 24 hour period and then are gone. The “down” from the experience comes very quickly and inwardly there is a deep sense of unfulfillment.  It is quite the opposite within traditional Indigenous communities and their celebrations. Acknowledgments of change and the honoring practicing celebrations take weeks. From an Indigenous perspective and from one that was once an Indigenous doctoring ceremonial singer, the event took many days. The typical contemporary traditional ceremony takes approximately 4 days.  However, the larger observances that I remember took at least 10 days.
Hence, the length and the process facilitate life-changing potential and a rebalancing of one's life with the sacred within ourselves.  I believe everything is sacred, we must learn to make our own life balanced to resonate with what is already sacred all around us.
Therefore, I am very grateful that I can observe and acknowledge my garden's first harvests and acknowledge my own, as well as my loved ones' renewal during our birthday celebrations. But, also to know that we all have the opportunity to rededicate our sacred selves back into our lives along with what our Mother Earth is continually showing us.
If we have a chance to visit an Indigenous community and be a part of a renewal celebration let us do so to be reminded of what that is for ourselves.
Coming up soon is the annual Yurok Salmon Festival in Klamath, CA. http://www.yuroktribe.org/salmonfestival.htm. There will be much to explore with the culture and with the festivities.

Photo from the Regional Parks website

I recently attended a public Tolowa event here in Del Norte County in the Hiouchi Forest.  The Elders and Culture Bearers shared songs and dances from the Brush Dance, a traditional healing and renewal ceremony. Today Native American communities offer many public events.  As most of the ceremonies were traditionally open celebrations for everyone to partake.
When I was young our ceremonies were underground and unless you were from the families that put on the ceremony or participated as a dancer or singer you would not be invited.  The reason for such secrecy is attached to the historical genocide that my ancestors experienced. Unfortunately, the massive details of that history have been whitewashed in the contemporary historical context.  Nonetheless, it is all there if you wish to discover it through the internet and social media. You needn't work hard to find it.
Regardless, we do not need to attend any outward event or practice, as the renewal of Mother Earth continually occurs.  As long as we are alive and wish to walk what we call the "Red Road." We will find that renewal within ourselves. (There are many definitions attached to the "Red Road" but for me, it is the path to the Creators.)
I am grateful to have been able to honor this special subject and time here with Flicker's Drum Beat. Healing and renewal are the fundamental aspects of the work the I am dedicated to through L.U.T.E.A.
If you are interested to find out more or to attend our events please follow LUTEA  on facebook https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org.
There you can keep abreast with our wellness programs and talking circles.
If you wish to subscribe to LUTEA's newsletter please visit www.lutea.org.  If you are on our mailing list you will find all information and upcoming events first hand as well as insights into future plans, projects, programs, and activities.  Especially if you would like to be more a part of our work together.
For insights on Indigenous Culture and Elders visit "Our Ancient Lands".  This month I visited with my friend Scott Frazier, Elder, Knowledge Keeper, Artist and Scholar from the Santee Sioux and Absarokee (Crow) nations.  "Musings with Indigenous Elder Scott Frazier"
We'd like to have Scott come out to Del Norte and do some Fireside Talks sponsored by LUTEA.  Again if you are interested please sign up on our mailing list.
I also produce another podcast "Art and the Divine" and Scott is featured on this month's podcast with Indigenous Metis Artist Lisa Du Fresne.

I pray that the Earth and her blessings will remind us to take this opportunity to make a personal commitment to renew ourselves and to rededicate our lives towards the Creators.  Reconnecting ourselves to the great mystery is the perfect pathway or road guaranteed to offer to us the blessings of balance with much more peace and contentment in our lives.

LUTEA Facebook Page 

LUTEA website

Our Ancient Lands Podcast 

Divine Inspirations Podcast

Divine Inspirations blog

Honoring Our Relative Flicker Heralding Summer Solstice Blessings

Photo from the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming

We have been honored witnessing Michael Lane's journey on the Longest Walk during the spring season.  We continue to support the walk by visiting his facebook page as well as the Longest Walk We Shall Continue Facebook Page as the walk does continue through to July 15. Micheal is continuing his walk as well as preparing for a Ph. D. thesis defense.  We wish him success and a great experience during his upcoming defense.
We are now commencing into another season and attention.  Our Ancient Lands Podcast series will continue for this month to highlight more insights on Long Walks through history and also feature other Long Walkers and their attention to healing for wellness.
Many Blessings upon us all during our new Summer Season.  Summertime for many Indigenous communities in North America is the highlight of the year.  It was a time for visiting relatives not seen for at least a year.  Gatherings took place in epicenters where many communities converged.  In the plains, pow wows were held.  For communities like my Tamako and Southern Pomo relatives in California, our ancestors would gather in the Marin area, (in particular, Olumpali a traditional ground for intertribal connectedness) and trade and join in ceremonies.
The traditional Plains sundance ceremonies are enacted primarily during the Summer solstice as well as many other Indigenous ceremonies and gatherings across the continent.  In California, I remember as a young woman participating as a singer and attending the Big Head Dances at the Point Reyes Round House. The ceremonies would last at least four days and nights straight through.  Bear Ceremonies are also practiced in the summers, much like the Buffalo Dance/ceremonies and Sundance Ceremonies in the Plains regions. Generally not on Summer Solstice, the Green Corn Ceremonies and Stomp Dances in the Muscogee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Caddo, Cherokee, and Eastern Woodlands Indigenous communities were held in the Summer season.
Though the ceremonial calendar opens up in the Spring for the year, it is during the Summer where most folks are more available to gather as well as the terrain was more user-friendly for travel.
The messenger that would awaken the environment and our sense of communion is the Flicker in California and woodpeckers in general. However, the bright Flicker's feathers incited exciting new opportunities and the anticipation of participating more fully.
Vincent LaDuke, an Anishinaabe author, who was known as Sun Bear wrote The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (1992). The book was compiled from a vision of LaDuke's that illustrated an indigenous perspective on an Earth-based astrological system similar to that of the Asian astrological system that emerged from Buddhism.  However, LaDuke utilized the indigenous knowledge of the Medicine Wheel instead. Like all calendrical systems, the year is broken into 12 sections that are personified by North American animals and designated to the seasons and months.  Today there are many followers of this system as well as astrological software programs based on this system. LaDuke's designation for the animal totem significant to the Summer Solstice is the Flicker/woodpecker.  As the Flicker is endemic to the Americas, it is logical to pay heed to an indigenous interpretation.  It is interesting that Ted Andrews book, a New Age clairvoyant based his book Animal Speaks (1993) upon the Earth's Spiritual relationship to humans through animals after LaDuke's book.
According to LaDuke, the Flicker is the messenger of the summer with a strong presence from the Summer Solstice to the latter portion of July.  The indigenous traits are similar to the western astrological traits of Cancer zodiac personality, that the Flicker exemplifies attending to the emotional nature within a solid home base to find its intelligence. The Flicker personality totem offers strength in nurturing to the young and others in need, lavishing them with love and giving them a deep sense of safety.  The Flicker associated personality must have a safe and harmonious environment to live in.  They are not complete within their environment unless they can share it with those they love as relationships are highly important to them and they spend much of their energy in maintaining good relationships.  Though emotional because of a highly developed intuitive talent, they are also courageous.
I do know the Flicker is a very sacred bird within California indigenous traditional culture. The Flicker's feathers owned by a "doctor" was a very powerful surgical tool. Those that wore the Flicker feathers in their dance regalia were given the ability to heal through their dance. Also, the Flicker and its association with its pecking sound were considered the master drummer for many indigenous peoples. The Flicker's connection to the drumming is the connection to the heartbeat and to the Earth and her heartbeat and rhythms.  Hence, the drummer that drums into being a new season, and especially that of the summer.
According to LaDuke, the chalcedony stone carnelian was associated with the Flicker because of the color red (referring to the Northern Flicker who has reddish wing and tail feathers) and also to its association with the heart. LaDuke inferred that Indigenous mothers would carry the carnelian close to their hearts so that their hearts would remain true, healthy and open to their children.
It is known that the Flicker is in the category of creatures that mate for life and are dedicated parents, both care respectively for their young. They are migratory birds that at present quickly declining in population numbers along with many migratory birds. The factors leading to this reality are environmental relating to pesticides and the removal of forests and trees.  In addition, we humans in our secluded environments use pesticides on our lawns. Also, there are concerns with the inundation of feline populations that prey on birds.  Unfortunately, it is a practice in our society to clear out our natural environment to heavily manicure and manipulate our properties for the designs of our dreams.  It is during the summer that the Flicker forage for their food on the ground.  47 percent of their diet is ants, snails, and beetles. Presently they are finding less safe places to stay when they migrate to Mexico and Alaska.  Many are not surviving the journey.  Bird conservationists are urging us to build birdhouses to help our winged relatives find safe shelter on their migration paths. LUTEA's summer newsletter has some links to some of the information mentioned to support our feather relatives.
I pray that some of us take a stand for advocacy supporting our little migratory friends so they can continue to have an opportunity to live a good life here on Mother Earth.  We are all woven together and we can surely see what our beloved Flicker is traveling through that so many of our brothers and sisters are as well. There is a housing shortage in California, as well as many places, are becoming unsafe environments in which to live.
When we return to our heart and exert our spirit like the Flicker as a drum that connects to our hearts and to our Mother the Earth we can make a change not only for our relatives but for ourselves. Like our beautiful little Flicker, we can have harmonious environments and relationships that will last a lifetime holding love and blessings for all that come within our home base environments.
During the summer season in California, I have no doubt my relatives are enjoying one of our favorite berry the Strawberry.  It was traditional that we did not eat the berry that announces the seasons change until it appeared upon the earth and before we could consume it we held our Strawberry blessing ceremony.   After, strawberries were the most delicious in the world.  Today within Indigenous California communities, the public can attend Strawberry festivals offered within Indigenous communities.  I pray we enjoy our plant relatives and medicines of the summer.  They are such blessings especially if we grow them ourselves as we have created such a relationship with them (love).  I always look forward to seeing those I love dearly during this time of year.  I honor and celebrate the lives of two of my favorite people born during this season as well as I, my husband and my daughter.
My prayer is to be like our little relative the Flicker striving to live for right and good relations.  Thank you for visiting Flicker's Drum Beat.
Wishing you a blessed, loving and nurturing Solstice and Summer Season.

Walli Ka Molis

Diveena

Flicker's Drumbeat: Flicker's Drumbeat: The Longest Walk references to...

Flicker's Drumbeat: Flicker's Drumbeat: The Longest Walk references to...: Flicker's Drumbeat: The Longest Walk references to Indian Law stories ... : From Michael Lane's Facebook page May Blessings!  A ...

Flicker's Drumbeat: The Longest Walk references to Indian Law stories ...

Flicker's Drumbeat: The Longest Walk references to Indian Law stories ...: From Michael Lane's Facebook page May Blessings!  A great reminder is our Mother Earth when May comes to be, of Her beauty and po...

The Longest Walk references to Indian Law stories and 4, 5, 6, topics

Photo From Michael Lane's Facebook page

May Blessings!  A great reminder is our Mother Earth when May comes to be, of Her beauty and power of Spirit.  What would we do if we were unable to behold this season's reflection of the miracle and beauty of life? I can only speak for myself, that I would be continually caught up in all the chores needed to deal with life instead of reflecting on why we are here in the first place in support of life. Our ancestors taught us to remember to live a good life, Hinaak towis hennak. Living a good life is to hold to the highest of orders our relationships to all peoples. Peoples are mineral, vegetable, animal and human beings. We people are all equal and must be treated so. Treating one as a real person is holding one in respect.
I believe our journey with Michael Lane and the Longest Walk Walkers https://www.facebook.com/longestwalkwsc/ is a reflection on bringing into our humanity the consciousness of respect towards right relations to all people.
When I was able to contact Michael, he was working diligently to finish his doctoral thesis. He was very engrossed, and I interrupted him during his final days attempting its completion. I am very grateful for his willingness despite his tight schedule. He had few days left to his educational efforts before joining the rest of the walkers in Kansas when we held Our Ancient Lands podcast https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands with him.
We kept the conversation brief on the walk's topics 4, 5, and 6.

• Our conversation began by addressing the number 5 topic with the United States vs. Kagama and Mahawaha case that took place in 1886 Yurok Indian country California.  Per Sydney L. Harring's article on the history of the case (Goldberg (149),  It is the most cited case for the proposition that Congress has "plenary power" over Native American communities, yet unclear of the scope of the power or if Congress holds such power today. Plenary power within legal terminology translates "absolute or uncontested".  Law scholar Nell Jessup argues that the Kagama ruling was based on a the United States v. Rogers decision in 1846, illustrating that courts are basing their decisions on ancient histories that no longer apply to contemporary Indian society.  Such cases are typically taken to the Supreme Court and Congress does not have ruling power.  However, as Michael interjected the Commerce Clause within the Constitution gave Congress plenary power regarding early commerce relations with the tribes that related to, "doing business with foreign nations." In the constitution, Native Tribes are referred to as Nations.  However, the racial aspect of the number 5 topic of concern in Indian country is that the treatment of American Indians was strengthened by Judge Roger B. Taney, in the United States vs. Rogers, ignoring Treaties between the Cherokee Nation and the United States and stated that even though the Native Tribes were found on the continent at the time of discovery, (I am paraphrasing here) the European powers were able to parcel out and keep Native Americans subject to their dominion and controlled.  Thus, they have remained, and hence the rationale of Congress.  Therefore any jurisdicition ruled since, in reality has been false and illegal.  Congressional Plenary power is applied to immigration law, foreign relations and military law.  The Acts that Michael referred to in the podcast, Termination and Dawes Act, etc. were outcomes of this Congressional plenary rationale.  Such acts worked at stripping sovereignty (identity and homelands) away from American Indian comminities and it has been a long legal road to regain what has been illegally ruled by Congress.  Number 5 topic is considered a racial and unjust action taken against Indigenous People of our lands, and the Walkers are committed to contest and repeal the acts through their Walking Prayer.  

• In topic number 4,  Michael clarified the disconnect between Indigenous peoples and the efforts of the Walkers towards an environmental Covenant.   The Walkers are taking the environmental concerns to Indigenous communities along the walk route to begin to establish minimal standards regarding any developement on or in watersheds and traditional territories surrounding respective Nations.  We must take responsbiity upon ourselves to work together and become educated to commit and agree on being stewards of our lands and to support each others lands on Mother Earth.  There is no difference with our peoples within our homelands as there is with the rest of society within North America.  The average person is kept from hearing and learning about the relevant and important issues that only a select few have the privy of learning about that affect our families and wellbeing.  We must come together with responsibility to utilize our relationships and work together to have the knowledge and strength to advocate what is Hinaak Towis Hennak, Living a Good life for us all. 

• Topic 6.  Michael again stressed that the corporations and governmental agencies dumping grounds within Indigenous lands is a racial act of environmental aggression.  The Walkers cite the nuclear "accidents" within Churchrock uranium mill tailings on the Navajo Nation in 1979.  After 38 years the area still has not been adaquately cleaned up and the peoples are exposed to contamination.  It takes millions of funds to clean such disastors and with the administration we are living through there are concerns that there will be cuts because the peoples suffering are indigenous people. The Walkers are concerned for all Indigenous peoples and lands on the planet who are suffering from this act of environmental aggression and disrespect.  They walk in prayer to create policies to prevent contamination happening and to address the neglect that exists.  

By the time of this posting, Michael will be in St. Louis.  Please check the Longest Walk facebook to get further information as there has been some flooding join them.
Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to read and hopefully listen to our brief podcast on the Walkers subjects but also the concerns for all of us that care about our wellness on our homelands of Mother Earth.  LUTEA's www.lutea.org  https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org/ efforts are to support those that are suffering through trauma and loss and undergoing grief and recovery.  My heart is heavy knowing that the actions of disaster and assault continue to reign in our society and living through trauma and loss presently is our current mode of operation.  Please join the prayers of the Walkers and support them and if you have the chance to participate in their walk, it may also change your life as well. Walking on the land also reconnects us to our Mother and listening to her helps us listen to our hearts and lives.

Support Indigenous Sovereignty! Support our blog, podcast, the Longest Walk, etc.  

Continue to learn more. 

Thank you! Ka Molis!

“The Distorted History That Gave Rise to the ‘So-Called’ Plenary Power Doctrine: The Story of United States v. Kagama.” Indian Law Stories, by Sidney L. Harring et al., Foundation Press/Thomson Reuters, 2011, pp. 149–188.

       118 U.S. 375 (1886), Nell Jessup Newton, "Federal Power over Indians: Its Sources, Scope, and           Limitations, 132 U. Ps. L. Rev. 195, 197. (1984). Daniel L. Rotenberg, American Indian Tribal           Death-A Centennial Remembrance, 41 U Miami L. Rev. 409 (1986)

The Longest Walk https://www.facebook.com/longestwalkwsc/
Michael Lane facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/michael.lane.9655
Our Ancient Lands Podcast  https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands
LUTEA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org/
LUTEA website www.lutea.org

Flicker's Drumbeat: Longest Walk April 2019 and the first three topics...

Flicker's Drumbeat: Longest Walk April 2019 and the first three topics...: Recently I published our second podcast on Anchor for Our Ancient Lands https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands  with Michael Lane as he travers...

Longest Walk April 2019 and the first three topics

Recently I published our second podcast on Anchor for Our Ancient Lands https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands with Michael Lane as he traverses across the continent to walk in prayer for 11 topics of concern that affects Indigenous Sovereignty.  The most perplexing anxiety I feel about our conversation within the podcast is that Michael and I both understand completely the nature of concern regarding Indigenous Sovereignty as well as do most folks that advocate the topics of concern and their issues, and other's who support those who do.
However, for the majority of North American's as well as the rest of the planet, there is little understanding or even knowledge of Indigenous Sovereignty let alone histories.
Why does that concern me?  Because outside of the 20 percentile population that is considered the "free world," the rest of the population 80 percent are indigenous.  Many are considered within third world countries. It still does not equate for me how the two are considered within the contextual conversation as "free" and "third" do not clearly compute.  Or rather "free" and "not free" might, but, free has a huge price tag and the not free have been violated and stolen from.

Back to the podcast conversation ...
Michael touched on a few topics regarding the Longest Walk prayer walk.  I'd like to dive a little deeper to help with clarity.  The first three out of 11 topics are:

1. Support Indian Children
2. Honor Indigenous Women
3. Strengthen Inherent Indigenous Sovereignty

1. Walking Prayer to support Indian Children.

Even though the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted on November 8, 1978, Indigenous peoples in America have been working to rectify the law because Indigenous sovereignty over their own children's rights is still hampered in many states due to the state by state jurisdiction over Indigenous communities.  In simple terms, children can still be taken out of their homes even though the Indigenous community may have determined what would be best for the child.  In many instances, it is about the adoption industry's influence over the state legislature.
It is well understood within the social service agencies that the children in many rulings are for the most part kept in their family unit or with relatives unless it is life detrimental for the child. Just because the family is poor does not warrant authorities to remove the child to keep them "safe and well".  The ICWA focus is to keep the family together for the benefit of the child, to promote stability and security within Indian families, to establish minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and if the child must be placed in another home that it reflects the values of Indian culture, and to recognize and strengthen the Tribal government's role in determining child custody issues over their own children.
The adoption industry is well noted for taking children out of their homes in the third world countries to be placed in "safe and well-defined" environments that are well paid for.  Indian country has been treated like third world environments within their own lands. The actions of the free world have given the impression that this is a racial issue.

2. Walking Prayer Honoring Indigenous Women.

Taken from the Indian Law Resource Center:

Federal and state official having authority to protect Native women and girls are failing to do so at alarming rates.  By their own account, between 2005 and 2009, U.S. attorneys declined to prosecute 67% of the Indian country matters referred to them involving sexual abuse and related matters.  Even
grimmer, due to the lack of law enforcement ... 

On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013* into law, an historic step forward that reflects not only the United States’ commitment to protect Native women from domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protective orders, but also its restoration and reaffirmation of inherent tribal sovereignty to protect their citizens from violence. 

The clincher here is that many Federal Native communities do not have tribal courts and therefore do not have the ability to prosecute non-Indigenous perpetrators.  It was not until March 2013 that the tribal courts could prosecute by law. Even if they have a legal system in place they first must make a request to participate in the process and then wait for the Department of Justice to determine a starting date, that can take years. 

As our traditions recognize the seen and the unseen worlds, the act of the Longest Walk Prayer Warriors is another aspect of keeping the intentions for human rights justice attentive within universal law.  Those who join the warriors are as Michael states, honoring the women and returning to the traditional reality that all women as valuable life givers, are a most important aspect of the human race and must be honored for their strength, endurance, stability and beautiful example of the human experience. 

3.  Walking Prayer to Strengthen Inherent Indigenous Sovereignty.

Understanding the various aspects of Indigenous sovereignty along with Tribal sovereignty is very confusing and unless you have taken law courses and studied Indigenous law specifically, will there be a grasp on the matrix of what is specific to Indigenous peoples in the world and specifically on the North American continent.  However, the importance of what the Longest Walk is addressing is Indigenous sovereignty.  From Censored News:

Indigenous ideals relating to sovereignty are not just about power and control but are also about responsibility and respect. This places obligations on Indigenous Nations citizens to practice traditional and customary responsibilities, rooted in Indigenous Knowledge, including the protection with our relationships with our respective lands, waters, plants, and animals. This concept of Indigenous Sovereignty has been severely challenged by a long history of Manifest Destiny, genocide and land loss.  

This topic asks all Indigenous peoples to assert their responsibilities as well as continue to be educated on the legal and political issues that continue to challenge all life.

I pray this light touch on 3 of the 11 topics with the walk has helped in your understanding of some Indigenous Sovereignty concerns.  Please stay in touch with us at Flicker's Drum Beat and also follow the Longest Walk WSC Community Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/2138724666419367/  If you would like to support the walk with a donation please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/donate/306323100033889/427190864760278/ as well as follow LUTEA's facebook for Indigenous wellness practices and support at www.facebook.com/lutea.org.

We hope to offer Michael next month on his journey and additional topics of concern.
Blessings and Walli Ka Molis!

Note:

*(VAWA 1994 in which President Clinton enacted  Pub.L.103-322) 

References: 

News, Censored. “Longest Walk 2019 -- 11 Point Plan.” Longest Walk 2019 -- 11 Point Plan, 7 Feb. 2019, bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/02/longest-walk-2019-11-point-plan.html.

Indian Law Resource Center. "Ending Violence Against Native Women." 15 April 2019,

https://indianlaw.org/issue/Ending-Violence-Against-Native-Women

Welcome to Flicker's DrumBeat

Dear Friends

Welcome to LUTEA's first Blog.  Flicker's Drumbeat.  The sacred Flicker for many California Indigenous communities drums out the heartbeat of Mother Earth's seasons.  Many times I would suspect the Flicker is our timekeeper and reminding us to keep our schedules aligned with our Great Mother Earth's.
It is an honor to launch this blog page in support of an Indigenous approach and perspective in service work and healing work LUTEA facilitates and advocates.
In addition, LUTEA seeks to influence ethical History,  Arts and Culture of the Earth's Indigenous peoples and communities across the Globe.
It is the interest of the LUTEA Board of Directors that our present service work generates within Del Norte and Siskiyou Counties of Northern California.  We also have plans to venture service into Curry County Oregon and Jacksonville Oregon.  However, we are all made up of Indigenous ancestors and connections that take us across the globe as well as we have colleagues and associates that have the expertise and wisdom of aboriginal cultures we wish to feature, to honor and to share that can enhance all lives.
We've moved from Siskiyou County to Del Norte County and continue to bring our service Wellness Groups and Healing Talking Circles. We also will like to offer wisdom and inspiration with Indigenous Artists and musicians, and Elders.  As well as the interconnected aspects of all life from the Eyes and Voice of Indigenous Peoples.
We are calling this Spring's Blog series a Time to Bloom, as LUTEA is Nelumbo Lutea the largest Indigenous North American Wildflower Lotus and all life when living a good life, Hinaak Towis Hennak .. Blooms.
We are introducing a monthly podcast Our Ancient Lands https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands and if anyone that is an Indigenous (a cultural advocate for your own Indigenous heritage) artist or musician would like to promote and share your work please contact us for a feature spot for a future segment in our series.
Also if anyone has questions on Indigenous subject matter and would like us to illuminate in an episode please contact us.
We are excited to reach out to muyye ma 'inniiko, All Our Relations.


Diveena Marcus, Ph.D. Indigenous Studies
LUTEA Executive Director
https://www.facebook.com/lutea.org/
www.lutea.org

Spring 2019 "A Time to Bloom"

Blessings on this Day, Spring Equinox!  For most Indigenous Cultures this is the beginning of the new year based within Mother Earth's timing/changing and growth.  Thank you for visiting us here on Flicker's Drumbeat!   We are grateful to our sacred Flicker to drum into our memories the awakening of new life and potential blessings.  I am so happy to post information and a direct link to Our Ancient Lands Podcast Series. https://anchor.fm/our-ancient-lands/episodes/The-Longest-Walk-Indigenous-Sovereignty-with-Michael-Lane-March-2019-e3gra9
 The main topic until July this year is to feature Indigenous Scholar and Activist Michael Lane and his Longest Walk Journey from Alcatraz Island to Washington D.C. The walk began in 1978 by the intent of the AIM movement to give attention to the concerns within Indian Lands and the Indigenous condition.  Michael Lane contact, scholar and activist was a walker back in 1978 and he is walking once again this year.  There are several topics in the interview that for many people are not familiar and if there are aspects of the interview that you wish to further explore please let us know so that we can cast clarity on the issues and concerns as well as some of the historical legislative doctrines and Acts of Congress that are mentioned.  You can find more information by visiting the Longest Walk website http://www.longestwalk.us/ as well as their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/longestwalkwsc/.

The Ten Points of the Longest Walk
1. Support Indian Children: Or as Michael states Indigenous Children
2. Honoring Indigenous Women
3. Strengthen Inherent Indigenous Sovereignty
4. Create an Environmental Covenant
5. Repeal Public Law 280 and overturn the Plenary Power Doctrine
6. Land and Waters Clean Up Protection
7. Treaties, Lands and Customary Responsibilities
8. Strengthen and Assert Spiritual Freedom
9. Indigenous Knowledge
10. Just Transition
11. Alcohol and other Drugs

All of these topics are articulated in greater detail on the Censored News Blog spot https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/02/longest-walk-2019-11-point-plan.html

Their schedule is posted on Censored news https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/02/longest-walk-2019-route-schedule.html?m=1. If you are along their route helping support them with food and water would be so valuable as well as walking with them. Micheal is not asking for this but I know in doing such work supporting them in any way you are also walking with them. You are also in the ceremonial effort and active prayer by doing so. Thank you!

Why is the term "Indigenous Sovereignty" so confusing?

Dear Friends,
I recently held another conversation/interview with Micheal Lane, Indigenous scholar, and activist as he continues to walk and sometimes run across our nation within an active processional prayer to honor and remember the value within several aspects of Indigenous sovereignty.  This conversation will be aired in a couple of weeks on Our Ancient Lands podcast series.  Michael is participating along with many Indigenous peoples from Indigenous nations in our United States as well as non-Indigenous people who are joining to support this procession.

Why do I not use the typical Native American/American/Alaska Native,  terminology?

1. Indigenous people originate from the lands that define us.  We do not consider ourselves Indians.  Our peoples resided upon our homelands and many of us still do so.  Our regions hold original names for our peoples for thousands of years long before foreign encounters.  Though they have been renamed without any consciousness of the history or value of their significance within the region.
The "Indian" term was addressed for the Taino peoples in the Caribean who made up the Cuban ancestral population at the 1492 event.  Columbus's desire was to sail into East India and bring back merchandise to Queen Isabella of Spain.  Thus he purposely named the inhabitants "Indians" and the ignorant terminology has remained.  I personally believe this was an arrogant and lazy approach of the colonizers.  As such behavior leads me to devise there was no interest to educate themselves of the ancient peoples of this land.

2. Such terminology perpetuates distancing from 'us to them'.  If the people were referred to as their own nation it would be acknowledging them as a sovereign nation with respect.  Columbus was representing Spain (as he was commissioned by the Spanish Queen and a sovereign nation).  His first observation of the Indigenous Taino people where they were different and not European thus not eloquent or sophisticated to be his equals.  Relationships take time to develop and first glance impressions do not give us the complete picture of what we are seeing.  Columbus was also a slave merchant trader and this outlook on Indigenous peoples who he enslaved and sold was biased and established when he encountered the Taino peoples.  In fact, he took 500 of the Taino back to Queen Isabella in Spain as a gift and to boost his slave mercantile efforts.*  However, for Isabella, it was not in her interests.

As a scholar, I work very hard not to utilize the term Native American nor American Indian.  North America that is now termed was a continent of many sovereign peoples who independently governed themselves with the ancient (and I use the term "ancient" to define the many thousands of years of learning to live with respect and governance) understanding of sovereignty.  Not one Indigenous nation on the North American continent had the desire to take over all the lands from East to West and instill a dictatorial premise for all to have to live by. I am not stating there were conflicts in the earlier times but many were resolved before the colonial intent arrived.

I also do not refer to indigenous communities as "Tribes", that is another term that separates the peoples.  They did not refer to themselves as a tribe.  "Tribe" is another term of exclusivity now frequented in popular culture.  It has also been a term referring to people who were savage and undeveloped from a "civilized" gaze.

As we are all given a chance to learn and discover (with the access to social media and technology), we now know civilizations were built on knowledge and wisdom, technologies and philosophies taken (stolen) from Indigenous peoples and never given reference or acknowledgment of the advanced consciousness that they held or still do hold. Instead, the indigenous were enslaved and stripped of their rights and ownership of all they possessed.  Their knowledge was gleaned or literally wiped from the face of the region to ensure there is no trace. Thus establishing the dominance of the oppressive barbaric aggression of the newcomers.  We see this repeated throughout history within all the regions of the Earth by those that do not respect sovereignty but honor and respect dictatorship and colonization.  We also see this in research and new age circles that take from indigenous peoples with no referencing to establish their validity nor for the use of respectful authorships. All that is taken is made their own.

Why is indigenous sovereignty so confusing?

1.  The present consciousness has little concept of Indigenous.  Most of our commodities are foreign, there is very little utilized in the modern culture from the residing regions.  Most of us are not from the regions we live but say we are from where we live because we were born there or lived there as a child or moved there, yet have little understanding of the land itself or the history of its origins.  There is little interest or time taken in finding out or trying to learn about the region.  Much of indigenous environmental life has been killed or destroyed so the comforts and privileged needs are satisfied for the newcomers.

2. The actions of dominance and its demands have no consciousness of sovereignty.

In dictionary.com the definition of indigenous is: originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed by to): the plants indigenous to Canada; the indigenous peoples of southern Africa.

If people have been living in a region for thousands of years, there is no need to rebuild the region to make it a landscape that looks like one in Europe or India or Japan, etc when such areas were left behind.  That is what has been done in the civilized world and that is why we are now facing many concerns on many different levels.  If we go to another's lands we are there to visit and to learn from them.  We may even take up the language and try to have some kind of interaction and relationship.  If we go to the land and use all the resources and make them only available for what we have in our lives and disregard the importance of what has been offered through the local resources then there is no interaction nor relationship but rather terrorism enacted upon the environment.

Sovereignty is knowing that all peoples have a right to live and govern how they live through their own cultural heritage and beliefs.  Especially the people who still live upon their own homelands.

Indigenous people throughout the world, are praying to the Creators and all who can hear that the lands, the children, the spiritual beliefs and practices of their heritage can be respected in today's world by acknowledging how important it is for us all.

Those that can hear and wish to pray for all our ancestors as we are all indigenous from some region of our earth, please join us in reclaiming sovereignty for all peoples. (Peoples includes mineral, plant, animal, and human peoples)

Ka Molis!

*https://nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/983