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| Swamp People | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 10 2007, 02:47 PM (181 Views) | |
| Wapankitupe | Mar 10 2007, 02:47 PM Post #1 |
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One
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Saugh-he, the way I remember my Elders, I didn't see them dressed in fine buckskin clothing or with fine beaded ornaments. I remember older men setting around a tobacco barn, in faded jeans or coveralls and faded wool shirts. On there feet I did not see the finely stitched moccasins with beads but black rubber boots or those high tops shoes that were called “ Bro Gains “. Their hair, which they wore with much dignity, was not braided, but hung loosely down their backs and sometimes bound about their head with a kerchief; some wore a simple band of leather or corn twine but most wore simple wool hats. This was North Carolina Indians, what I called “Swamp People”, around 1946. The Elders and ancestors, of who I speak of, were no less noble than those romantic figures you see today. They were just Elders, passing down the wisdom of their Elders, Elders. They were people, no less proud of their heritage than any other of those who called them self a human being. It would be nice to say that we who live together at this time could be called a tribe or nation of such an such. But this was taken from my people long ago and if there could be a title or name for this assemblage of people, I guess it would be called the "Conglomerate Tribe" (a number of people that came from many diversified nations). Not very romantic is it, there was no princesses, proud chief's with shields and spears on horseback, shouting defiance to the winds. But they were proud people intermingled by necessity; each proud of who and what they represented, no matter what language was spoken around the barn; whether translated into "The Real People" or whether they were just plain “Earth People”. It was these Elders and ancestors who taught me and all the little ones respect and honor through example. It was they who told the stories that caused us to think and relate. They were our Elders, ancestors, teachers, medicine people and most of all “our heroes”. We little ones were always taught to approach them with some sort of gift, whether it be a sweet potato, apple, rock, feather or hand full of Black berries. The Elders honored each gift with some story that offered a bit of wisdom to be contemplated and remembered. This very same courtesy extended beyond childhood into our adulthood; when the adults would come bringing food or other useful gifts for the Elders. They would ask advise on not just important matters, but sometimes just anything, just as an excuse to help the Elder without hurting their feelings. I remember my first lessons taught by an Elder. I can't remember his name, but his lesson is still with me. He was a very old one and was always going out of his way to talk to the little ones. I had picked a flower and carried it to him. I expected him to smile as he usually did when I handed him a gift; like a rock or feather but instead his face got sad. He knelt down in front of me so that he could look into my eyes and spoke; yes this was a nice flower. But did you have to take its beauty by killing it. Had you came and taken me to it, then its beauty would still be there for all to see. Now who will see this flower to gather its beauty? Such was the gentle ways the Elders had in their teaching. I know I was devastated by the fact that I had made an Elder feel bad. So much so, that even after fifty some years now, the memory remains in my mind soul. I feel the greatest gift the Elders gave the people, other then stories, was the ability to make the people laugh. No matter how hard the times or what season, they could come up with some jokes or saying to make you laugh. I think some of them could even have given Bob Hope some lessons. Only now as an Elder myself can I realize how great a gift it was that the Elders and ancestors were giving to the people. One thing I have found that it is not easy to see past the aches and pains that comes with age and remains cheerful. It may be important to note, that the eyes of the Elders were not all dark, some were light in color. And not all had dark hued flesh or that typified "Indian" appearance that you see on T.V. and the movies. But they were American Indian People to the core still the same. You see this was North Carolina, where there was only one reservation and it was Cherokee. In North Carolina at this time, was a place where an American Indian was not allowed to own property, unless sponsored or intermarried. The nearest reservation was in Western part of the state, a long walk or horseback ride for the many that didn't have trucks. Perhaps it is only my childhood memory that glorifies those days. I never knew bigotry or heard harsh words spoken about past injustice from my Elders or ancestors. Maybe they were spoken, but not in front of me. I was taught to be a part of Earth Mother, not to consider myself apart from Earth Mother. Of all the Elders, my Great Grandma Carter a Cherokee woman gave to me my greatest wisdom of my child hood. She spoke to me when I was five years old, that the people’s bodies, where ware the people live, possess nothing more than what their mother eat and what they have eaten since birth. All comes from the earth, whose dust is enriched by all of the ancestors flesh and bones. When I look at things from that prospective, I see untold thousands of years of American Indian flesh and bones in that beautiful mixture of Earth Mothers dust. Compared to a few centuries of the Europeans dusts. So each new body born of this Earth we call Turtle Island consist more of the original people than that of the Europeans. I was also taught that people leave the essence of themselves on everything they touch upon this earth and that the more it is touched or held the stronger that essence. Think then how strong the essence of our ancestor’s dust must be, within Earth Mother; “I feel that I have spoke enough about this”. Even with those few lines above I feel I have allowed myself to think in terms of them and us. This is not honoring the teachings of my Elders or ancestors. But it does demonstrate how difficult the task before me as a Peace Elders, to help bring about peace. While our bodies may be unified by the dust of our ancestors from Earth Mother, each mind is the sacred garden space of the individual person; and must be honored as such. It would be nice to say that hidden deep in eastern woods of North Carolina, there was some village of those old ones. But today, not even those deep woods of childhood remain. Few if any of my childhood companions still walk among us to remember those days and pass on the Elders teachings. The wars have had a very devastating effect upon Earth Mother and the People. During the Second World War, when jobs became available in abundance, the people left the Elders behind to move closer to their work. These Elders were left to whither and die on vines like unpicked grapes. Some went to nursing homes and quickly crossed over, feeling useless and unwanted. Others lived out their now lonely lives in their secluded shacks; while their children and grandchildren are enjoying new found wealth, that now is found repulsive. " I wonder if these people will ever discovered the true price of their wealth ". Today as my own days draw to the end of my walk on the path of many color’s. I write this to all Elders and the people who would care to read. Perhaps the mistakes of the past may have some weight upon their conscience of those who are to be the future. Today as I tune into the American Indian and all people’s radio. I hear all kinds of talk about new angers and how people should honor their ancestors by speaking their language and all sorts of things like that. Well I'm not saying anything to insult another, but I am reminded of an old saying, Acorns were not planted in the earth to become potatoes. Foundations are laid to be built upon. Our ancestors laid out foundations and planted their acorns. It is for us to sprout forth and build from them. At this time this is as good of a tribute to the memory of my Elders and ancestors that I can speak, walk with peace. Creator is Chief
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| It's not the great skill of a teacher that understanding will be achieved; but through the teacher's awareness of their walk with creation and their understanding of Creator and Earth Mother. | |
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| Loveandbeloved | Mar 11 2007, 01:23 AM Post #2 |
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Administrator
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Thank you for sharing these meaningful memories, heartfelt thoughts and words of wisdom. You honor your ancestors, Elders and relations well, Wapankitupe. What you have written here is like another gift to them - as you used to do when you were young. I have great appreciation for what you have shared here with this.. |
| In Love | |
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| Wapankitupe | Mar 11 2007, 02:02 AM Post #3 |
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One
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Saugh-he, my Mama and Daddy encouraged me to visit and sit with the elders, especially those elders with the greatest age and closest to their crossing over. Of course being a little one, filled with the adventurous spirit of the young, this was sometimes a difficult thing to do, but being obedient, I did. Little did I know what I was providing to the elders. Sometimes the elders would offer stories, or some wisdom as a reward to my listening. Other times their words would seem rambling and unrelated to me. Sometimes they would even doze off as they talked; yet I was taught to remain with them. Now, as I approach that time in my walk, where that distant hill is coming into my view. Many of those good cells in my brain are beginning to fad away. Unfortunately many of those cells contain memories of beauty and experiences that I feel would be good for some people. By reminiscing and telling of these experiences, I shift those good memories from the fading cells to those living cells of my brain; that helps me keep them a little longer. It just so happens that this happens best when there are other people listening; each memory has a path that leads to another. Sometimes the memories have a meaning to those listening, sometimes they do not, but regardless, they do have meaning to me, after all this was my path in life. When it comes time for me to take that final step over that ridge to mystery, this good gift of life shall leave behind this shell that was lent to me by Creator, even those cells in my brain. Perhaps all that shall be taken with me are those memories as they are unlocked from those cells to flow with this life. Then perhaps not, that is still a mystery yet to confront. So I cannot say in truth, whether it will be that way or not. But regardless what Creator has in store for me in that other plain, it would be nice to hope that I take with me some memories of my walk here on Earth Mother and her lessons; that even in spirit I may aide Creator and Earth Mother as a helper. Perhaps also in my ramblings I am only backing this up in the event this cannot be so. I am reminded of an old lesson in this life, one cannot with good conscience impose their views upon another unless asked to do so. If this is true upon this plain, then it must also be true on that other plain. I must wait for a reaching mind, before I can give aide. Perhaps these feelings and ramblings of mine, may some day promote or aide, a need to reach out and walk with peace.
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| It's not the great skill of a teacher that understanding will be achieved; but through the teacher's awareness of their walk with creation and their understanding of Creator and Earth Mother. | |
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| Loveandbeloved | Mar 11 2007, 03:09 AM Post #4 |
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Administrator
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I welcome your views, Wapankitupe, and appreciate your sharing. Your memories of sometimes speaking to the elders and how sometimes they would ramble or fall asleep, sounded familiar to me. I was telling my children something like this the other day. My great aunt was was a story teller and knew the history of our family well. She would talk and talk and her stories drifted from one to the next. Being young then, I found the stories hard to follow and would lose my attention. When she grew older, she would sometimes fall asleep, then wake up and tell another story. She has passed over now, however I reminded my children to pay attention to stories - as I wish I had done many years ago. |
| In Love | |
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