Looking towards that 4th Hill

 

Greetings and many blessings to us all as we embark on this transiting season. As I take a moment to recognize our journey thus far this year, I ponder on the significance that this time of year holds for me. It symbolizes the need for peace. I don't know if everyone feels that similarly, but I yearn for a tranquil time in the days to come. Despite the obstacles we face, as we face the remaining end of our year, I believe we endeavor to hold on to the joys of summer and revive their essence in the waning times we travel in. 

I reflect on my indigenous ancestors and their philosophy towards harmony and peace. During the treaty making era, from an Indigenous perspective, treaty protocol was a sincere act of harmonious and peaceful intentions with the Europeans. For Indigenous people and their high concern for relationship building, it was a sacred contract. Such contract endeavors where considered highly honored, similar to the marriage contract that some of us still respect.  However, European objectives were quite different. 

Through the European perspective, peace methods were only used if it was cheaply obtainable.   If there seemed to be more time-consuming efforts needed for negotiations (which usually involves some costs), then violence and force are the likely means of confrontations. 

Unfortunately, our society has powerfully developed such colonial methods through its dominance. Despite its ubiquity, some of us still desire to practice means of peace and harmony. 

So, how do we create or hold on to the peace from an indigenous perspective in our world today?  Looking at the Medicine Wheel, fall's seasonal position on the wheel reflects the growth cycle of becoming a mature human being. A mature human being is one that is constantly becoming as the medicine wheel continues to turn. Each season offers potential growth and always honors the cycles of birth, learning, maturity, and wisdom. All cycles are beautiful, significant, and profound. They equate to everything in life, especially here on Earth. We can also look at the significance of the life cycle of a human being, the preciousness of new life and the astounding wonder of the newly born being and its innate intelligence of identity from its very beginnings. Its a wondrous experience being in the presence of new life. From a new beginning, if we are fortunate to be born into a community that honors life and its relationships, we can grow and learn with others, experiencing the journey together in love and support. Through bonding, we eventually want to make a clearing on the pathway of life to honor those that have been the way showers to us all in respect.

The admiration and the journey towards honoring the way showers is the road towards maturity. The mantle of maturity reflects this season. It is a transitional season where we readily learn to put aside childish behavior and activities and embrace a place of reflection in the mind and heart. Through vision quests, sweats, ceremony, and seeking mentoring from Elders, we have long established a purpose and meaning to life. It is now a passage of moving forward to a higher plateau of adulthood that honors the Elders. When we are willing, we step into the process to prepare to follow in their esteemed footsteps. 

There are many elders today because of modern science's capabilities to extend life. However, there are few Elders who have held onto the principles and way of life that hold millennium of teachings regarding living hinaak towis hennak a good life on Earth.  Though they are still here, they need the Auntie's and Uncles who are the ones who are honoring them and who also strive to show the way as well. Despite the colonial context, the Aunties and Uncles hold wuskippa (respect) towards their traditions as they support their Elders.  They are the ones working hands-on within the culture.  They are learning to be good examples to the younger generations.  

Anishinaabe Basil Johnson's story in Ojibway Heritage illustrates the four hills of life from a vision he had.  In his vision each hill of life presents many difficulties.  The first hill where our babies and little ones must climb for life reveals that not all make it up to the top.  From those that do, even fewer ones can reach the crest as they climb that hill from childhood.  From those that make it to the third hill, are where we may find our possible aunties and uncles. From this climb, there are even fewer that make it to the top.  The very last hill is by far the hardest to reach. Elders are so honored, for they sustain the principles that the striving Aunties and Uncles value. The Elders are the Aunties and Uncles best advocates and promoters because they want them to make it to the top of their hills to sustain the values and wisdom for those that come after.

My friends who are on the third hill of your life season... Allow this seasonal spirit to help you take on the mantle of your value.  Share your stories, especially to those you hold dear, and who look up to you. Embrace mortality and do what you can to remain healthy for as long as you can, because you are needed. This season is a reminder that we are closer to death than to birth. Therefore, facing its reality brings that truth with maturity that honors each season of life. Remember, most importantly, as we continue to climb, it is less weary when we work with forgiveness. Sure, we can carry grudges through midlife, but do we want to enforce rigidity further through our bones and skin, aging us rapidly when we are sixty and onward?  Such a climb would be like pulling along a heavy rubbish bin with us?  As we let that go, we learn what it means to be a source of blessing and what blessings really mean.  And most of all, climb in sincerity and with earnest. Thus we will understand how to mentor instead of teach. Mentoring is not running things or offering to be a leader.  Mentoring is sincerely supporting and being an advocate.

From an Indigenous Elder, don't wait. Consciously take up the climb and share your journey and celebrate the endeavor.

Blessings Always

Diveena