Spirit Of The Bear

Archive 11

Eddie Benton-Banai ( Ojibway ) is a founder of the American Indian Movement and of the Red School House ( the alternative Indian school in St Paul ) ; He is also a Midewiwin priest , philosopher , poet and one- time coach of the Red School House football team.....His life's mission is simple : the education of his people.....
After leaving the Red School House , he has continued as a professional educational consultant and also serves as the Grand Chief of the Three Fires Society......
" We have to pick up things our people have left along the trail " Eddie tells us . " Everything wasn't passed down.....Too many of our people died too quick back then. They didn't have time to pass it all down....So we Indians today have to go back and find the things that got left along the trail....it is up to us to go back and pick them up. We have to educate ourselves to know who we are. That is what I mean when I say ' teach the children '.....The Grandfathers and the Grandmothers are in the children. If we educate them right ....our children tomorrow will be wiser than we are today......They are the Grandfathers and Grandmothers of tomorrow . That is what the Red School House is all about ."

" My life belongs to my people . That makes me a very busy man....I may not always have time to look after you or talk to you ....but you guys hang around if you like....Maybe you'll learn something. There is only one price I ask you to pay.....I ask you to pay the price of attention ! "

" The spiritual heritage of Native American people is here - it has not been extinguished . I believe the Spiritual Fire still burns and is beckoning for America , indeed , the world to come closer , to listen , to learn and to share in its warmth and comfort.....I , as a spiritual Indian man , am convinced that it is time to reach out to my white brothers and sisters and to share with whomever wishes to partake of what we , the indigenous people of this land , still have....It is time that the buckskin curtain be drawn back....it's time .....I know it."

A renaissance is taking place among Native American peoples....This renaissance is not of a material nature.....It is a Spiritual renaissance , a retrieving and reviving of our original Covenant with the Creator.....We are re-affirming our relationship and stewardship with our Mother the Earth....While we are inspired and directed to do this for our children and ourselves , we also realize that many , not all , of our Elders have fallen asleep , forgotten , or have never known our rightful Spiritual heritage ..... Therefore , it is up to those of us who have , in whatever measure, the teachings , philosophies , and traditions , including the rituals , to work for their revival and continuance. "

Passage taken from ' The Wisdomkeepers '
Meetings with Native American Spiritual Elders.

Yours in Love and Light,

Nah ' Hak (Melanie)