Words of wisdom in peace from the keepers of the stories our fallen brothers.
This is an excerpt from the story of Manataka, the place of peace. It is now known by the name Hot Springs National Park, and is located in south central Arkansas.
It was once a sacred place to many nations. Archeologists are split in their accounting of the number of tribes that visited here. One group says that none ever did. The second group claims to have identified 43 disparate language groups among artifacts attributable to this sacred place. I would encourage you to visit
this page, authored Lee Standing Bear Moore to read a brief accounting of the subversive effort to suppress the history of this place, and the tale of how Manataka became Hot Springs National Park.
I like to share these things with my friends as I find them. So much has passed and so much is yet to be. If we do not find a way to live in peace with each other and manage our obligation to protect the mother earth from our folly, we will never last. The time for denial and hatred is past. The time to move on long since upon us. Cry out to the world, but do so knowing that there is hope, and there can be peace. These things too, shall pass
At the end of this excerpt from Lee Standing Bear Moore's page, you will see the phrase "akanTanka niya waste pelo!". This means "May The Great Holy Mystery Spirit bless you!".
aho
ANGER
Should the American Indian be angry about the past? Should we do to others what they have done to us? At Manataka, the answer is No. Why?
No, because we are sacred water given to us by the Creator of All That Is. We were born in water and our bodies are composed mostly of water. We must drink water to restore us. Water is necessary to life. But, sometimes the water comes in floods and washes away our homes and food. Waters of the flood take away our homes and often bring disease. We are sad after the flood waters leave.
No, because we are the sacred wind given to us by the Creator of All That Is. Every cell in our bodies contains the wind. We must breathe the wind every moment in order to live. But, sometimes the wind comes like a tornado and blows away our homes and kills our loved ones. We are sad after the tornado leaves.
The white European Judeo/Christian culture came to us like the wind and water. They flooded us with filth and greed and killed indigenous babies and grandmothers in the name of their religion. They came to us like the tornado bringing the whirlwind stench of war and the shame of false ways.
Should we hate the ignorant white invaders who came like a senseless flood and washed away the homes and sacred places of our ancestors? Should we hate those who flooded into our homes and stole the land? Do we hate their children who continue to violate our sacred Mother Earth and reek terrible injustices upon us? Should we despise the government that came like a terrible tornado and killed our people and defiled our sacred places?
But dear friend, we as American Indians cannot be angry at the sacred waters and the wind because they are made by the Creator. We can only be sad.
In the same way, the white European Judeo/Christian and their government are also made by the Creator. And we cannot hate them for they too are made by the Creator.
TEARS
At Manataka, we shed no more tears for the past.
Why should we not shed tears for all that has been lost!?
Because our culture is not gone! It flourishes and grows stronger each year! Look around you. American Indian culture is spreading all over the world.
We should not cry for our ancestors because they are not gone. They are here with us now. Their spirits dwell within us. They are on our lips as we speak. They are upon our fingertips as we do the work to uphold our heritage. We honor them. We do not cry for them. We rejoice for them!
The Great Spirit – Creator caused our circle to be broken. At Manataka we know the reason. It is for that reason we are here keeping the spirit alive.
Together, we can awaken the great forces of all native peoples by rekindling the fire of Manataka. The hot springs are still here. The medicinal herbs, quartz crystal, precious stones, and beauty are still here. And, the beautiful waters of Nowasalon flow abundantly.
Wakantanka niya waste pelo !
