There is so much being said about the happenings at spring council
from people who are not there, and this is usual. Please remember, if you are not
there you, well, you are not there! It is difficult to watch it from afar; especially
difficult is sifting out the truth out of what we hear.
I got involved on the phone with those that are opposed to the
way that the spring council and the gathering have been evolving. These people are
passionate about their cause for good, very good reasons. There is so much here
that we do not understand because so many of us come from a place of whiteness and/or
privilege. We come from – our values, our reactions, our expectations – the dominator
culture. The concepts of domination and privilege are so deep in our psyche we have
a difficult time seeing it. Know that it is there, be gentle on yourself and others
as we explore and discover these deep issues. Every person can learn something new
about this.
I bring this up because I have spoken to a few participants in
the Strong Heart Solidarity Project and respect the work that they do. There are
some very important messages that I have taken away from those conversations with
these passionate and engaged activists.
One of them mentioned that they are interested in doing some
skill-‐shares on the land. One of the skill-‐shares
they do is called Decolonization & Unsettling White Privilege. They describe
this event as one that “may be provocative to the euro-‐ centric mind.”
Imagine that! YES! These concepts are provocative – they will irritate your inner
peace, they will create a strong reaction—they are designed to shake us up. Up and
out of our shells of complacency. We need to move further, yes further so we can
become better allies to all of those oppressed by the dominator culture. I do hope
that the Strong Heart Lakota Solidarity Project can come and do some skill-‐
shares on the land, wherever we gather. We need this – who is the “we”? The human
species is the “we”! I do hope that this and other skill-‐shares
can happen.
The self-‐governed volunteer body that we call
and do each spring before the gathering, our council, is a rare thing in this country.
This practice that the rainbow gathering experience has shaped is only one of the
alternatives to the dominator culture. We have no rules; we have traditions and
very few, at that. We pass an object most likely to the left, and we strive to listen
to the one with the object that has been selected for the purpose of focusing and
taking turns. This process, our process, is undisciplined, time consuming, and radical
because it allows for freedom of expression. Know that it has always worked out
for the purpose of the gatherings, and know that when one engages the heart and
the mind, the best will come through.
Let the process work. Be patient. Let the all the voices be heard.
We all want respect. But what does that look like? Here are some suggestions on
how to be respectful: practice tolerance and patience; be concise; be on topic;
speak from your heart and mind – do not speak for others or about others; wait your
turn, if you need to bring a – do it; and something to write with so you will be
prepared to present your ideas when it is your turn; be watchful for new people
entering the circle – if there is no established method for new folks entering the
circle, be mindful of other who may not know how it works; no name calling; and
use “I” statements versus “we” or “you” – own your feelings, thoughts and ideas.
So please, it is often difficult, please remain calm, and know
that within and throughout spirit(s) is walking with us and let us remain open to
our highest purpose.
In solidarity and peace.
Just another sibling
This is not very informative, Babs. People just want to know what's happening and why the scouts would drag us into a treaty dispute against true way of respect. Causing split in tribes is disrespectful and people need to seek harmony not "justification".. Peace to you I hope you wake up some day.
ReplyDeleteTo whomever knows me and values my opinion:
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that many people may be planning on coming to the Michigan regional rather than go to the National, or going anywhere else for that matter. .
TSK had a regional last year over the fourth, and only about 150 people came, and that seemed about a good size for the area. I was against doing it again this year because of this very issue, which is people seeing it as an alternative to the National Gathering for everybody, not just a few people in Michigan who couldn’t make it to the National.
So this is what I’ve got to say about it now:
If you are coming to Michigan rather than go to somewhere else because of whatever reason, and you think that it’s going to be in some nice spot, and there’s going to be the same old Turtle Soup Kitchen there doing the usual Turtle thing, you are most likely going to be disappointed.
The regular TSK members who have been doing it for all these years are going to be poorly represented in the making of this Gathering. I would suggest taking anything heard from people regarding this gathering with a grain of salt.
I don’t think it will be a healthy place to bring your tribe. It’s too close to town, and road runs right to it. There would be water shortages. You know, there’s a reason people from Michigan go away in the middle of summer when they can; it’s hot, humid, and there are a lot of bugs. Our National Forest’s are in smaller parcels than out west, and the’re spread around.
My advise is to not come to Michigan as an alternate gathering.
David Darling.