Osiyo/Siyo/Hello and Welcome~
Even though there are the same amount of hours in the day, days in the week, and months in the year that have been around since time eternal, our time and energy seems to grow more scarce and precious with each passing hour. We live our lives based on "One Day". One day when I have more time, I will.........; one day when the kids are grown, I will..........; one day when I am not so strapped for money, I will............ And with that, we waste the precious here and now.
We are only given X amount of days in which to live our lives. With our 'putting things off until tomorrow' philosophy we waste what is most important in life. Time. Time spent with those children whom we are trying to 'get grown'. Time we should have spent with those loved ones, who are now passed on to the Spirit World. Time appreciating all the beauty and awe in Nature. Time sharing our Culture and Traditions with family, friends, and others.
How often we find ourselves looking back and saying - 'I wish I had', 'if only I had', or 'I should have'. Time can be your enemy or it can be how we are best remembered. If we listen to our children, our future, as they are discussing their favorite memories, the conversation usually starts with: Remember the "time" when.............. No amount of money, electronic gadgets, trips to the mall, or television shows can match the memory of Time.
Our lives have become busy and complicated; seemingly controlled by the forces of necessity. Many must work more hours in the week, just to survive. That is why it is even more important to work those ever more important time gifts into our schedules.
The last couple of weeks I have spent time at the bedside of a dear relative, mentor, friend, and Elder as she hangs on to life by a thread. Looking into her gentle face, I felt as if I was witnessing time passing by in whirlwind fashion. I have never known this great Lady to not have time. She always had time to share a family story; a bit of Native Culture; or to share a tear as her heart ached for everyone in pain or crisis.
As parents, grandparents, Elders, and Native People as a whole, it is our duty to teach and share the gift of time. If only a few minutes at the end of the day. Or an hour or two set aside on the weekend. Then, as the children will one day speak of you/us, our greatest tribute will be when they say - 'Remember the Time when............'
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Having just returned from a three week trip to Minnesota, I am once again reminded of the plight of all our Native Brothers and Sisters. It seems there is struggle and hardships at every level in every Tribal Community.
While there I was able to observe some of the plans the Dakota were making to keep their Heritage and Traditions alive. Many of their efforts felt very familiar since we have discussed, on several occasions, the importance of preserving the Language of our People. This is also true for the Plains Tribes. One of their Elders relayed a conversation he had with his Grandfather whereas he was told, as a young boy, that if we let our Native Language die, so will our People. Our Language, along with our customs is in serious danger of disappearing.
Our Language and Heritage, just like an education, is something that cannot be taken from us. Once it is entrenched in our daily lives, it not only lives on in Respect and Honor of our Ancestors, but will also serve to help us get in touch with our American Indian/Native side. Until we recognize and embrace our Heritage, we often feel an emptiness that cannot be explained.
Make the effort, discuss with your family and friends ways in which you can live and travel the good Red Path. Use Cherokee, or the Language of your People, on a daily basis. Learn new words, phrases, or customs every day. Gather with your People; Sing the Songs of Healing and Strength; Reach out to others in strength and support; Honor your birth-right.
In closing, if you have any ideas, suggestions, questions, or thoughts on subjects you would like to see covered, please contact me through the link provided on this site. I would also like to urge everyone who has felt the call of your Ancestors, to please consider joining us at our monthly meetings or by becoming a member. We have several Community activities we are involved with and many plans and ideas for the future.
Tribal Clan Chief Betty WhiteFeather
Aniwodi (Paint Clan)
Echota Cherokee Tribe of Florida
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