| Toward Peace And Success In Disputes With Government And Others |
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The problem Conflicts between First Nations and government and non-Natives, and even within Native communities, seem to go on forever. Most Native people want peace but also want disputes such as those over treaty rights, to be settled quickly with justice and fairness. There is a solution. There is a source of help, our Creator. He can improve matters through softening the hearts of officials and others and by modifying circumstances. The Creator wants to help! But to obtain this help, we must follow His Way, the Good Way. The purpose of this paper is to explain His Way in practical turns. Its application will lead to faster and more just settlements, and to greater peace within and between communities. The Good Way The Good Way requires a good Heart. We start toward this by loving our Creator and His Creation. It is easy to love the Creator when you feel His love-- pray to feel it! You are important to him. Also, you realize His love when you count your many Blessings-- this beautiful world, food, herbs, His giving you breath each day, spiritual knowledge and experiences, and much more. We must express thanks for this. The Good Heart also requires that we live as the Great Spirit would have us live-- in a kind, gentle, moral way, with no alcohol. This all produces peace in our hearts. Once we love, express gratitude and work to live, as the Creator would have us live: 1) We ask for what we need which is justified and/or wise* 2) We forgive our opponents and pray for them, such as persons, governments, and others 3) We do all that we can to accomplish our goal-- the Creator will do the rest provided our actions does not violate His ways 4) We express thanks for what we obtain. Pray for what we desire To obtain what we need, the Creator requires that we ask. He wants to give. When we receive after praying, we know that the gift comes from the Great Spirit. Asking helps us become humble, to study our situation, and to ask for what is right. We should try to be specific in our requests. My experience shows asking is correct. I see many prayers answered. Forgive your enemies (and pray for them) This can be hard, but the Creator requires it, and thus will help! We must forgive others, including bad persons, government, and some churches, if we are to be forgiven and if the Great Spirit is to answer our prayers. (At the right time, the Creator will provide Justice.) If we find it hard to forgive, we confess our problem to the Creator and ask His help to forgive. He will assist. Even though we forgive, it does not require that we trust. Trust must be earned. And forgiveness doesn't prevent us from using justifiable means for obtaining goals, such as our Treaty rights. Pray and then do all that you can. Suitable actions can include negotiating, going to court, demonstrations, and is some cases, blockades, and protests. But we must be patient The Creator will help when it is wise. Expressing gratitude As soon as you're helped, give sincere thanks to the Creator failure can preclude further help. Conclusion I know following the Good Way, the Creators way, will lead to peace within ourselves, greater peace in and between communities, fewer disputes, and quicker and more just resolutions. ---------------------------- * Do not ask for that which is not wise, you might get it and harm yourself. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 April 2008 ) |
