Monday, November 11, 2013

NOVEMBER IS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

I encourage you to read November's response magazine, which deals with this theme: our Native American heritage. Good articles. Using the prayer from Boe Harris in the magazine and a piece from the mission study of 2008, I have prepared text for a handout that may be helpful. With some manipulation of margins and the "copy" function of the wonderful computer, you can design a three-column, back-to-back piece for distribution.
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NOVEMBER IS  
                               NATIVE AMERICAN                        
   HERITAGE MONTH!

Native American Ten Commandments



The Earth is our mother. Comfort her.

Honor all your relations.

Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

All Life is sacred. Treat all beings with respect.

Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

Do what needs to be done for the good of all.

Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each day.

Speak the truth but only of the good in others.

Follow the rhythm of Nature. Rise and retire with the Sun.

Enjoy Life’s journey but leave no tracks.

 

 Dancing the People’s Prayers

“Feet dancing gently upon Earth Mother. Each foot stepping lightly as jingles, lovingly sewn on the healing dance dress, sing out the prayers of the people.

“This prayer is for her, this one for him. Some for sons, others for daughters. Prayers filled with tears from mothers, heartfelt prayers of fathers. Each jingle a special prayer, no prayer greater than the other. Each jingle sings, as they hit one another and a chorus of requests for healing and safety of warriors far away are lifted up to Creator, carried on the beat of the drum, given life by dancing feet upon the earth.

“Creator, we dance for healing. Hear the prayers that the jingles sing out to you. We dance the prayers of your people.”
 

 

Boe Harris  
 Turtle Mountain Chippewa/Spirit Lake Dakota Northeast Jurisdiction 
From Voices of Native American Women, Delrayne Roy, editor
United Methodist Women, publisher

 

 

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