| All Mankind are Brothers and Sisters |
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By Chief White Eagle as told to White Wolf Hurricane, Utah All people are brothers and sisters. Although I already knew this, it was powerfully re-enforced at a meeting to organize American Indian people for cooperative action. To my surprise, there came people of many races, religions and nationalities. We arranged the people in a big circle. I was prompted to ask each person if they believed that they were a child of the Creator, the Great Spirit or God?-- you choose the name. Each person said that they believed such. This further impressed me that we are all children of our Creator, and thus, are all brothers and sisters. Being such, there should be no barriers between us. If there are, we have created them-- they don't come from the Creator. With such differences, we have chosen to separate ourselves out. The only things that are really important and true, are the truths of the Creator. Many Native Americans stress their tribal differences. But are these important and are they real? Frequently tribal names were given by non-Natives. And if you go further back to an earlier name, the names translate "the people", "the real people", "the original people", etc. For instance, the Delaware were named after John Delaware but their older name is Line Lenpi, the people or real people. The Navajo where given this name by the Spanish. Their real name is Dine (pronounced Dena), which means the people. Hopi is correct and means peaceful people. The Ojibwa say they are the original people. Since we are all descendants of our Creator, we are all "the people", etc., and are all brothers and sisters. The same points holds for those that claim different nationalities and religions. We are all sons and daughters of the same Great Spirit. When I have worked with people in prison, many divide themselves into separate groups. When I teach the above principles, the differences disappear where people are willing to listen and change. Then comes cooperation and accomplishment. But where barriers remain, nothing can be done. I don't deny that there are some real differences between groups-- cultural or religious differences. Many of these beliefs and teachings are important guides as to how people are to live their lives and provide needed societal stability. However, on close examination, many apparent differences disappear. But when these differences lead us to become intolerant of others, and/or refuse to recognize other persons as people of worth, children of our Creator, or when we deny the greater truths of the Creator, we must eliminate these as part of our beliefs. What about people who claim that they have a special relationship with their Creator. Maybe they do, but they had better not exclude other honest seekers from their group, and/or refuse to cooperate with other good people. In summary, we are all sons and daughters of the Great Spirit, and thus, brothers and sisters. We must act as such with love, compassion, forgiveness, respect, appreciation, tolerance and in cooperation. If this is lacking, little positive will be accomplished. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 April 2008 ) |
