And to think that there were so many attempts to get First Nations people to stop having their ceremonies! I rejoice that people were able to keep their culture alive through it all and they are now reconnecting. I love a beautiful book on Aboriginal worldview - The Sacred Tree - that collected the views of Elders from across North America in the hope that reconnecting with their culture would bring healing and wellness to individuals and communities. One day at a restaurant in Burns Lake, I saw two strong young men, handsomely dressed in brand new "gangsta" outfits, complete with silver chains...they looked as though they could have stepped out of the drug business in any inner city in the USA. That picture remains in my mind and contrasts with this one that you've shared - it is not hard to imagine which "culture" may bring more positive outcomes!
I do not get the chance to get out to these events very often, and I think that it is so important to get out to as many as possible. I want to participate in the drumming and make my own drum, but there never seems to be any time. I tell myself that once I get a vehicle and a job, i'll be able to make more time but I really do not think that this is true. I'm sure that having a vehicle will allow me to get out and practice my culture more, such as being out in the bush and hunting a moose, skinning it, making hide and making my own drum out of that hide, but I really just need to get out there whenever possible. It doesn't matter which facet of the culture I am exercising. I just need to make the time, just like anything else I do with my spare time.
And to think that there were so many attempts to get First Nations people to stop having their ceremonies! I rejoice that people were able to keep their culture alive through it all and they are now reconnecting. I love a beautiful book on Aboriginal worldview - The Sacred Tree - that collected the views of Elders from across North America in the hope that reconnecting with their culture would bring healing and wellness to individuals and communities. One day at a restaurant in Burns Lake, I saw two strong young men, handsomely dressed in brand new "gangsta" outfits, complete with silver chains...they looked as though they could have stepped out of the drug business in any inner city in the USA. That picture remains in my mind and contrasts with this one that you've shared - it is not hard to imagine which "culture" may bring more positive outcomes!
ReplyDeleteI do not get the chance to get out to these events very often, and I think that it is so important to get out to as many as possible. I want to participate in the drumming and make my own drum, but there never seems to be any time. I tell myself that once I get a vehicle and a job, i'll be able to make more time but I really do not think that this is true. I'm sure that having a vehicle will allow me to get out and practice my culture more, such as being out in the bush and hunting a moose, skinning it, making hide and making my own drum out of that hide, but I really just need to get out there whenever possible. It doesn't matter which facet of the culture I am exercising. I just need to make the time, just like anything else I do with my spare time.
ReplyDelete