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This world is in terrible shape. We have become so
out of balance that
it is difficult to know where to begin to get back on track. Since there
are so many things to work on - maybe the trick is to just begin
somewhere.
One of the things that we seem to have lost in our
fast paced youth
worshipping society, is respect for our elders. These people have spent
a whole lifetime learning lessons. They have much to teach if anyone is
smart enough to listen.
I am going to include here this Cherokee prophecy
that I found on the
internet. I don't know who wrote it, but it is worth reading.
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THE WISEMEN
It is told that in the early days of the Cherokee
Nation, seven wise and
holy men went together to a certain valley in the mountains to seek
knowledge of the future. Of all the seven Clans of the Nation these
seven men were the most truthful, most selfless, and most heedful of the
needs and well-being of all the people.
They carried the medicine deerskin and medicine
tobacco, and did all the
holy things along the way. And when they came to this certain valley,
they spread out the deerskin in the center and prayed, saying they came
with humility, to seek truth and share it with the people. Then they
blew smoke over the deerskin, each in turn, and they watched the smoke
trails for a sign from the Creator.
And when this was finished, they went and
prophesied to the people the
marvels that had been seen; and one was that men would someday fly in
the air; and another was that the trail of the Cherokee would someday
lead west to the valley of the Mississippi, never to return; and another
was that there would be schools to bring knowledge to all the people.
But a fourth prophecy said that in aftertimes
young people would return
from the schools, and point rudely to the old men of the Tribe, and say
they were of no account because they knew nothing. The people considered
this a long time, and wondered what great wisdom might be taught in
these schools that the children should point to the old people and talk
in this way.
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This is where we are today. I don't know the
solution to this problem.
In fact, there are probably many solutions. But here is one that might
go a long way toward bridging the gap if anyone has the vision to do
it....
A long time ago, there was a teacher named Eliot Wigginton who lived in
the Appalachian Mountains. Mr. Wigginton was deeply concerned that the
oral history and old ways of living was not being passed down by the
elders for future generations.
For a class project, he sent his ninth and tenth grade students into the
hills and hollers of the Appalachian countryside to interview the
elderly residents (many of them of Native American descent.) From these
interviews a magazine was born.
And from this magazine arose the famous Foxfire Books which has
preserved for posterity the wisdom and skills of the pioneer residents
of Rabun County, Georgia. Today there are over six million copies of The
Foxfire Books in print.
One person with an idea can make a big difference. I challenge the
parents and educators to do something to help bridge this gap. Everyone
will be the better for it.
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"The old people must start talking and the
young people must start
listening." --Thomas Banyacya, HOPI
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