Examples of inclusion and autonomy with Tony’s tribe are non-stop.
The first event this morning was the spiritual advisor, Robert John Knapp, talking about the power of gentleness and introducing the young people and those in regalia, blessing them, and then having everyone of the children and the people in regalia greet everyone else who is here, because friendship is the base for everything else.” he said.
While that’s happening, more people, friends are showing up. .
“I can make the words but I can’t give the thanks:” that is how Robert begins the opening prayer.
“Some people say this is social, a pow wow, not ceremonially sacred, but it is. Because our creator told us two things: the first is that we must give thanks. There is never enough of giving thanks.
The second instruction is the most sacred, that we must enjoy life. And so in that kind of way, that is why we are here. To enjoy life as well as for healing and many other things.
It doesn’t say, if you get time, no , it says you must enjoy life.”
Everything I do is a prayer. “
I can say the words, but you have to give the thanks.”
Just be thankful, don’t be the judge. “
Robert opens with his resolution to the question I asked earlier. He begins the opening prayer saying we ask you to listen,, I was taught to say this prayer, and then you can carry it forward in your own way. “
So often, all the native people are asking for from settler society is that we listen, we listen and then we go forward not controlled by them, but with their teaching in our thoughts.
so that’s my first listening to Robert.
Neil