Equinox message from Grandfather Commanda

[SpiralHawk]

An Equinox message from Grandfather William Commanda, 94,
Algonquin elder of the northern capitol, Ottawa,
keeper of the Seven Fires wampum belt and the Jay Treaty belt
spiritual guide for the Odyssey of the 8th Fire http://www.8thfire.net

– Megwetch, SH

An Elder’s Prayer for Peace
by Grandfather William Commanda,

Inherent in the prayer of the Indigenous Nations of Turtle Island (North America)
is the deep knowledge that we are all connected –my people in the east
say GINAWAYDAGANUC. The prayer is a celebration of the profound
knowledge that we are connected with the each other, as well as with
the chief elements–Mother Earth, Water, Air and Fire–the animate
and inanimate, the plants and animals and the larger universe,
connected energetically.

Spirit embraces and unifies us all.

Inherent in the prayer is a deep respect for both Mother Earth, the
penultimate provider and nurturer, and all her children. The prayer is
a constant reminder to honor this connectedness, and walk gently in
the places of our differences, for those are the places of
co-creation.

But across the globe, our relationship with Mother Earth and each
other has been disrupted, and storms and blood despoil our world. When
the new peoples arrived in this continent, they were too often
motivated by greed, the realities of the day were war and genocide,
and the ramifications were environmental exploitation and destruction;
my ancestors were nearly all destroyed. Today, we are embroiled in the same
struggles at a global level.

We are now all feeling the impact of the environmental crisis that
has resulted from the reckless exploitation of land, water and air, in
escalating climate change; lands and peoples across the world are
embroiled in desperate wars; and health is a primary concern across
the world, no matter how privileged we might seem to be, for life
itself is under attack.

Today, the Law of Nature is revealing herself as the great equalizer
on all planes, with ominous implications for us all and for future
generations. But still too often, we see the issues as separate. We
need to realize how deeply interconnected they are in order to develop
a new blueprint for our collective future.

Our ancestors always knew that all things were connected, and our
ancient prophecies told them that one day, all the world would
come to us to learn this. I have been the Carrier of the ancient
sacred Seven Fires Prophecy Wampum Belt for almost 40 years. This
prophecy, known to many peoples across the world, told of the
important choices we would have to make at the time of the Seventh
Fire, choices regarding our relationship with Mother Earth and each
other, and that time is upon us. We have to choose wisely to ensure a
meaningful heritage for all humanity and life forms.

A global shift in our value base is essential. We need to move from
greed and corporate domination to generosity and sharing; from fear
and war to racial harmony and peace building; and from relentless
environmental exploitation to the three indigenous Rs–respect,
responsibility and reverence for Mother Earth.

We need to inspire people across the world to embrace these values
urgently. This is the great challenge of our times–this is what the
Seven Fires Prophecy warned about. It is the task for which we have to
strengthen ourselves collectively. The transformation comes from
within first; then, recognizing that we are all connected, we reach
out to transform our brothers and sisters and leaders. We strive to
humanize institutions. I hold a vision for an Indigenous Centre where
we can all come together to animate this future.
< http://www.asinabka.com/ >

When we come together with one heart, one love, one mind and one
determination, and breath our prayers and energy into the
International Day of Peace, we will be creating the pathway to a
Circle of All Nations, a Culture of Peace.


–Megwetch

Grandfather William Commanda, a 94-year-old Algonquin elder, is the
carrier of the Sacred Seven Fires Prophecy Wampum Belt and founder of
A Circle of All Nations
<http://web.mac.com/circleofallnations/iWeb/circleofalln... >

Prayer Vigil for the Earth http://www.oneprayer.org /


- end -

[zeemike]

1. Not taken seriously by most people, but truth never the less

Could this be what is meant by the saying in the bible that truth will be cast down on the earth and will prosper?
Thee is no question in my mind that this is truth, and for us to survive it must prosper.

[SpiralHawk]

3. Grandfather articulates the traditions of this land...

...long submerged under an onslaught of greed, short-sightedness, and self-righteousness (exemplified in our era by Republicon 'family values').

But the ancient traditions themselves endure. They are the eternal verities particular to our land.

Photo: Grandfather Commanda at the UN helping the Hopi to fulfill the ancient "House of Mica" teaching.

[zeemike]

6. Actually I am very familiar with the Hopi prophesies

But it is comforting to know that the other tribes and indigenous people not only support them but concur with them.

[G_j]

2. thank you

good words

[yellerpup]

4. A good meditation for the Equinox.

Wado. K&R

[YankeyMCC]

5. Thanks for sharing this

I first learned of Grandfather William Commanda while following along on the blog for the 8thCircle walk across the country and although I am atheist and don't believe in the supernatual aspects of how he presents his wisdom I do recognize the wisdom in his values, words and deeds.

For example this is a gem I think many people will miss in his remarks because they don't see it everyday: "...we reach out to transform our brothers and sisters and leaders..."

I don't think it's any accident he lists leaders last. It is us that must lead the so called 'leaders' we can not wait for a savior our political leaders will only be able to lead us where the majority of us are capable (emotionally and intellectually) of going.

[SpiralHawk]

9. Actual walk name: Odyssey of the 8th Fire

A true, epic saga of North America in our era.

http://www.8thfire.net

[dgibby]

7. Thank you , SpiralHawk

Grandfather is very wise and has much to teach us. Would that the USA had embraced the philosophy of the First Nations in the beginning. Just think of how much better our lives and the environment would be now. I hope you will share more of these words of wisdom with us. K&R

[shadowknows69]

8. Thanks for this SH

How different this country and world would have been if we had embraced our brothers and sisters on these shores instead of slaughtering them. It still amazes me some of them cannot bring themselves to hate us.

[leftchick]

10. thank you for these inspiring links

I am sharing them with my children.

peace,
lc

:)