"Smoke" Signals

JASON NICHOLS AKA “SMOKE” SIGNALS RED LAKE YOUTH with positive message on Drugs and Gangs along with Red Laker Stuart “Big S2” Perkins.

Hip-Hop artists, Jason “Smoke” Nichols and Stuart “Big S2” Perkins visited the Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club on Thursday June 10th with a motivational talk on the downside of alcohol, drugs and gangs. “Smoke” on his 5th visit in less than three years, was at Red Lake to visit with youth and perform in concert at the Boys & Girls Club on Friday Evening.

Twenty-five Red Lake Youth ages 12 to 18, streamed into the “Teen Room” of the Boys and Girls Club at 3 PM on Thursday to hear Nichols and Perkins give testimony, and ask and retrieve questions, as part of Nichols “2010 Rezolution Tour”. Nichols took about an hour and a half to present his personal story of drug use and gang activity, and how he found his way out.

Nichols who grew up in southern California, was a gang member for a time. From ages 14 to 20 he was in and out of lock-up. He has used a number of illegal drugs and alcohol, but is now 13 years clean and sober.

Perkins read a hip-hop like poem called “Phillip”. The poem was about his experiences dealing with peer pressure taken from his life in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. He was coerced to join gangs and participate in the use of drugs and alcohol. The poem describes how he resisted and went on to learn graphic arts and perform as a hip-hop musician. “I decided I didn’t want that lifestyle”, said Perkins, “and I decided to go to college”. In addition to graphic arts, Perkins studied arts and crafts that included pottery work.

“You can still be cool and do positive things”, said Nichols at the beginning of his talk with the young people. “I’ve got tattoos. You can dress and be as you like”, he said. He went on to encourage those in attendance to follow their dreams. “Do what you like, find a school that teaches what you like. Follow your dream instead of drugs and gangs. Choose this path and it will lead to this, choose another path and it will lead to that”, Nichols asserted.

Nichols has a way about him that gives credibility to his message. He gets the kids to listen, and maybe more importantly, to talk somehow. He looks at them straight in the eye, after he establishes rapport, and asks questions. And...he gets answers! Some of the questions “Smoke” asked were quite sobering. “How many of you know someone your own age that does drugs or alcohol?” All kids raised their hands. “How many of you know a gang member?” All raised their hands. “How many of you are being raised by a grandparent or other person than your parents”, asked “Smoke”. A half dozen kids raised their hands.

And then the big question that this writer wondered if the kids would answer. “How many of you have parents who do drugs?”, asked “Smoke”. And several kids cautiously raised their hands. “How-does-it-make-you-feel?”, asked Nichols. The answers came shyly and quietly, but it morphed into a muffled shout as one heard the responses; “like nothin’”, “disappointed”, “don’t want to live with ‘em”, the kids replied.

But hope is alive as evidenced by other questions that Nichols asked. He asked if there was anyone who spoke Ojibwemowin, and two youth raised their hands qualifying their response with “pretty good”. Nichols said it was important to learn and speak their language so that they can learn from their elders, and pass on the stories of their tribe.

And more good news. “How many of you plan to go to college?”, asked Nichols. The answer brought proud smiles to the few adults in the room as every single kid in the room raised their hands. “Well you need a plan”, insisted Nichols. “And it’s not too early to start. Don’t be afraid to dream, and dream big”. “And”, he added, “stay away from negative people”.

Nichols went further. He asked what the kids would like to see on their reservation that they now have to go to Bemidji for. One girl smiled as she teased that she’d like to have the Mall of America at Red Lake. But others had more realistic dreams, a bowling alley, a golf course, a movie theater, an ice cream parlor, a theme park.

“Well bring them to Red Lake”, replied Nichols. “Help people spend their money here on your reservation. Visualize it. See yourself as being successful”, Nichols said. “Smoke” then gave the dream reality when he said, “And there is money out there to help you. The Federal government has grants for Native Businesses”, he announced, “look it up.”

Nichols then talked about gangs. “Gangs! Now why does that have anything to do with our culture”, said Nichols to nodding heads. He said that if Indian kids really knew the meaning behind the names of gangs, they would realize that they have nothing in common with these gang members. Nichols went on to explain that many Indian kids could find themselves in deeper trouble than they could ever know, as Nichols described the meaning, names, signs, and the doings of gangs.

Nichols wanted to clarify the origin of his nickname, “Smoke” less it be misunderstood as something more sinister i.e. drug related or “gangster”. It was a nick name he received as a child...“Smokey”, but now “Smoke”. Smoke, like pot or other drugs? “Oh no”, he said. “Smoke” is symbolic. “Before email, before telephones, even before the pony express, smoke was a form of communication used by your Indian ancestors”, said Nichols. “It was used to send messages, and sometimes warnings to other tribes or clans.” And that is what “Smoke” wants to do now. Send a message to Indian youth.

Mrs. "Smoke" and Publicist Melissa Nichols

Nichols also told the kids that he is the father of six children. He said that at first he was just into the money of making hip-hop music, but decided to use his musical message to promote good living. Hip-hop and rap has had a checkered history, but new artists such as “Smoke” are using the medium for a more positive message and encouraging young people to think. “Although he does do adult material, he also does PG13 with a message for Indian youth.

Nichols brought a bit of stark seriousness and sadness to the crowd as he now speaks about suicide prevention. He says that his eldest daughter, age 13 died when playing the “Choking Game” just about a year ago. He hopes it was an accident and not intentional, a suicide. But none-the-less the game is stupid, and is one more thing that we have to encourage our youth to stay clear of. Suicide prevention will continue to be a part of “Smoke’s” message along with drugs, alcohol and gangs.

(The Choking Game is a misunderstood activity causing death and suffering for thousands of families worldwide. It often begins with high-achieving teens choking each other as a way to get high without the risk of getting caught with drugs or alcohol. It ends with thousands of kids dying or suffering permanent brain damage each year.)

AFTERWARD

Jason “Smoke” Nichols, Ojibwe/Cree/Lakota uses hip-hop music to send a positive message to youth. He travels the country giving motivational speeches and concerts. Stuart “Big S2” Perkins is an enrolled Red Lake member from the Twin Cities who met Nichols on a visit to Red Lake two years ago, and now tours with Smoke performing his own brand of hip-hop poetry with a message.

Nichols and Perkins brought along some recent music awards they’ve received at the West Coast American Indian Music Awards held in Hilo, Hawaii. Nichols won the “Youth Achievement” award, and Perkins won for “Incoming Artist of the Year”. Nichols entertainment group, “RezHeadz”, won the “Entertainment Group of the Year” award.

Perkins, also a budding graphic artist, displayed some awards he received in that medium from the “American Indian Higher Education Consortium”. He won second place in the arts and crafts category for pottery and computer graphics.

Nichols says he is the first Native American artist to hit the top ten on the music charts. His company RezHeadz is the publicity arm for many native acts including Red Cloud and Pow-wow Comedy Jam who has done a series on “Showtime” television.

Nichols has an extraordinary amount of energy. He is constantly working, thinking, writing, creating, dreaming. He is not only a talented musician and astute speaker, but is also an enterprising entrepreneur. Not only has he developed the “RezHeadz Entertainment” group, a promotional tool, but is in the process of writing a Hip-Hop Opera.

Part of Smoke’s “2010 Rezolution Tour” is something he calls “Onward and Upward”. The conception is to promote a new way of engaging Indian Youth to volunteer in community activities. Nichols wants to form chapters in Indian communities across the country. He gives presentations encouraging kids to volunteer in their communities with certain goals to be met. Volunteer activities could include cleaning up, helping elders, working with kids, etc. Those who fulfilled their commitment would be invited to participate in a “big blow out” after the end of the year, in some city yet to be named. There would be Indian kids in attendance from throughout the country. The celebration would include a powwow, music, crafts, networking, and more. Nichols is looking for Tribal sponsors for the youth of their particular reservations, but also big time sponsors such as Nike, Red Bull and Dorito.

Nichols in the past 18 months has visited 218 native communities, concerts and powwows. His first show at Red Lake in 2008 drew 1000 fans.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Rez Road?

Through this Irishman's eyes, humor permeates Indian Country. It is often self-deprecating and rarely caustic. The sense of humor I hear and see in Indian Country has always delighted me. Lots of good hearty laughs.

You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it. ~Bill Cosby

Comedy has to be based on truth. You take the truth and you put a little curlicue at the end. ~Sid Caesar

Submitted by "Butterfly".

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

GRASSROOT INDIAN:

If the chickens need to get across the road, let 'em cross the road!

COLONIZED INDIAN:

Chickens should never cross the roads that white men built before the great white father crosses it first; if the white father crosses it, it is good. We must then follow.

AMERICANIZED INDIAN:

We must have roads. We must cross the roads that the white man built for us. We have to be thankful to the white man for this. I don't know why you Indians are always complaining. You embarrass us. Chickens are good for us.

REPUBLICAN INDIAN:

It's true that white man built those roads for us. We are merely chickens. We will always be chickens until we learn to build those roads ourselves for profit.

DEMOCRATIC INDIAN:

The chicken crossed the road because he didn't have enough funding.

TRADITIONAL INDIAN:

Those chickens weren't traditional because they were supposed to be on "the road"- not crossing it.

INDIAN GRANDMA:

Oh, poor thing! I hope he had enough to eat.

INDIAN GRANDPA:

I think he was runnin' away from boarding school.

INDIAN DOG:

Come on! Let's get them chickens!

URBAN INDIAN:

That chicken crossed the road 'cause it was from the city, and is entitled to the same road access as Rez chickens.

NEW AGE INDIAN:

It was basically because of a Jungian dream therapy, drumming, Sweat lodges, my shaman, and long walks on the beach, near my beach house.

POW WOW INDIAN:

That chicken must have been heading to a 49!

EDUCATED INDIAN:

I think it has to do with Einstein's theory, which basically posts: "Did the chicken really cross the road or did the road move beneath the chicken?"

REZ INDIAN:

That chicken owns all the roads on this Rez and can cross any of them anytime he feels like it.

IHS INDIAN:

I really don't care why he crossed that road. Without prior authorization, we still aren't paying for his hospital bills.

BIA INDIAN:

They crossed it because of CFR 49, Section 11299, gives them the authority to do so, under Department of Interior regulations, in the Executive Branch. They wrote a grant and we funded them. We are very proud of them.

KFC INDIAN:

I'll take a leg, a thigh, with corn and potatoes. Extra Crispy please.

TRIBAL COUNCIL INDIAN:

The chicken crossed the road before we did?? Fire his family! They'll all pay for this!

And in the end,

The laughs you take,

Are equal to,

The Laughs you make. ~With apologies to Lennon/McCartney

"Spring, We Gather" with Helma Erle

Ziigwang Ni Maawanji'idimin or Spring, We Gather was the title of a get-together, spearheaded by elder Helma Erle this past April. She was aided in this endeavor by ACLU coordinator Audrey Thayer and Red Lake Cultural Preservation Program Director, Bill May and others. The event was held at the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) on campus at Bemidji State University.

The purpose of the gathering was to share information on preserving Ojibwe culture, history, ceremonies, language, and andudake (storytelling). Several persons with knowledge in these areas were invited to speak and took turns at the podium.

Some of the subjects covered were; naming ceremonies, female and male rites of passage, sweat ceremony, and feather significance. Other subjects included current works at language preservation, education, and cultural aspects such as arts and crafts, and sugar bush.

The event was well attended considering it was the first of it's kind at this place. Attendees included Indian, non-Indian, young and old, and students from BSU. Helma promises that this is only the first annual "Spring, We Gather", and that next year the event will be bigger, with more events, and will last two or three days rather than just one.
The significance of the tradition drum was covered. Note the tobacco placed on the edge of the drum. Tobacco is sacred among American Indians and is used for many things. It is used to smudge people, drums and sacred or ceremonial objects. It is placed on drums at gatherings to give thanks to the Creator for allowing the nations to come together and to ask for a good, safe event. It is also given to elders, healers and others as a sign of respect.During a break in the events, people visited. Here Anton Treuer signs his newly released book entitled "Ojibwe in Minnesota". Seated to his right is Audrey Thayer, and to her right Rachelle Houle.
Dr. Anton Truer, an Ojibwe fluent speaker, gives a presentation on efforts to preserve the language. Part of that effort includes an accepted way of spelling, putting together Ojibwe dictionaries, and other efforts. Here he explains Aaniin Ekidong, the Ojibwe Vocabulary Project.
Language preservation is brought home in a sharply defined manner as Treuer puts up a slide showing just how few fluent Ojibwe speakers there are left in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Just a few more than 700 fluent Ojibwe speakers according to this definition, more than half from Red Lake, and I assume most of those from Ponemah.
Several students from Bemidji State University attended all or part of the gathering.
Dr. Don Day, Director of the American Indian Resource Center gives a talk on the resources available at BSU, the AIRC, and programs and classes available in Indian Studies.

Day, a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, previously served as president of the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Day also served as director of the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State University, as an assistant professor at University of Minnesota-Duluth and as director of Indian Student Services at Bemidji State, his alma mater.
Leech Lake member Jim Jones, is a watch-dog over archeological sites and new building sites in Minnesota that may disturb Indigenous human remains. Any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects contacts Jim, the Cultural Resource Director, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.

Jones was a major player in the Grand Mound closure near International Falls, formerly a tourist site, along with the MN Historical Society. In 1990, Jones helped rebury some 300 people who had been unearthed in the mounds by archeologists in the 1960s.

Helma Erle looks on in pride at the success of her gathering. Seated behind her is Colette "Tori" Graves, employed by the AIRC as a retention counselor and student advisor.
Red Lake member Karen Bedeau is the Public Relations person for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and is very active in both the Indian and non-Indian communities, takes her turn at the podium.
Michael Meuers of Shared Vision gives a report on the success of the bilingual signage effort going on in Bemidji. Shared Vision hopes to be a catalyst that encourages the Bemidji community to work together to expand social, economic, educational and leadership opportunity for people of all races.

In order to achieve the “vision”, four working groups were created, including Cultural Understanding and Respect. One of several strategies for this committee is to encourage Bemidji businesses and organizations to add Ojibwe/English signage at their work sites. Shared Vision members Meuers and Rachelle Houle are spearheading this strategy.

Bill May of the Ojibwe Language Culture Preservation Department at Red Lake discusses some of the good things going on at that reservation and elsewhere on culture and language preservation. May, one of the unsung heroes of language revitalization and preservation is a Red Lake member. He spearheaded a very successful Ojibwe Language Summit held at Red Lake that included many presenters attending this gathering.

May does much behind the scenes to get both Indian and non-Indian people excited about the Ojibwe language. Bill sends out 4-5,000 texts per month to teach short Ojibwe phrases that may be related to the day, season or events.

As is the custom in Indian Country, gifts are given (never pay for such things) to those giving presentations on their particular issue. Here Rachelle Houle and Michael Meuers from the Bemidji Ojibwe language project and Shared Vision, proudly show off their gifts at the end of an interesting and informative day.

More on elder and teacher Helma Cloud Erle. Among her many activities is to provide Ojibwemowin (Ojibwe Language) lessons in a variety of ways including the internet. She teaches by writing everyday likely used sentences in Ojibwe and then providing the translations. She does this in a very humble and respectful manner.

Helma Cloud Erle was born and raised in Obaashiing (Ponemah) and is enrolled at

Miskwagamiiwizaga'iganing (Red Lake) and is 4/4 (full blood) Ojibwe Nation. Helma was educated in Obaashiing's elementary school and graduated as valedictorian in 1961 from Red Lake High School.

She credits her parents Everett and Margaret (Wilson) Cloud for their belief in education. "They supported education because they said 'education will never be taken away from you, so learn all you can plus education will open doors for you in the future'", say Helma. "They also said 'azhenamaagen i'iw maanigooyan'. (Give back that which was given you)." Most, I believe would think her parents proud.

Dedication: Ponemah Round House, May 2008

Nearly 200 people traveled toward Ponemah Point on Wednesday May 14th just before noon.

Just a bit before the road curves to the point, cars, trucks and a busload of thirty elders from Minneapolis, took a left and drove a quarter mile or more back into the woods toward the lake. The journey into the forest is on a beautiful curving road with budding trees hugging the one lane path. Soon and suddenly, the sun and a clearing appear. Off to the right front in the distance, is a traditional structure known as a Round House. It is simple in it’s beauty and elegance.

Beyond the structure is a tree line, and beyond that is the largest fresh water lake wholly contained within one state, a Sacred body of water known by the Ojibwe People of Red Lake as Mis qua ga mi wi saga eh ganing.

Cars and trucks line the dirt road beginning at the woods and into the clearing, their occupants walking toward the log structure. Off to the right and before the Round House, are tables and chairs in and out of open-sided shelters. This must be the place for the obligatory feast that will follow the dedication.

Off to the left is perhaps a half rick of seasoned oak, fuel for the Sacred Fire, started four days earlier and tended constantly 24 hours per day by the “Firekeepers” in preparation for today’s dedication.

The People mill around, greeting old friends and relatives before entering the Round House. As more and more people arrive, more and more chairs are brought from the feast area into the Round House.

Upon entering, a program for the event is provided by Ponemah Representative Glenda Martin. Directly opposite at 180 degrees, light is seen from another door in the otherwise windowless structure. The only other illumination comes from a cupola high in the center of the Round House. As eyes adjust, one sees rows of chairs and their occupants in a circle at the wall’s edges.

In the center are three drums; the Dave Manuel Drum, the Ponemah Community Drum, and the Traditional Drum of Spiritual Elder and Chief Greeting Spears. People coming in are instructed to walk around the circle clock-wise before seating. At the end of the walking circle, participants receive tobacco and an eagle feather for the ceremony, the feathers later to be gathered for use in future ceremony.

Shortly after 11 AM, Spiritual Elder Thomas J. Stillday begins a pipe ceremony along with several Drum Songs. Stillday then introduces Red Lake Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr., who gives some background on the funding for the structure and the uses and purpose of the Round House. More songs are sung, including a song by six or seven women using hand drums.

Short speeches of information and thanks are given in Ojibwe and English by the Chairman, Chief Spears and Tommy J. Stillday Tribal Council Representatives from Ponemah then say a few words, Glenda Martin, Gary Nelson, and Tribal Treasurer Darrell G. Seki, Sr. Others are also given opportunity to say a few words.

Chairman Jourdain says that much of the Round House was funded by gravel sales for the road work being done on the reservation. A large donation was also received by White Earth member Winona LaDuke. Chairman Jourdain speaks of how important this building is to teach our youth about tradition and culture. Eventually, with more facilities added, youth will be able to spend days camping and learning at the site.

Treasurer Seki, as is his manner, spoke briefly and mostly in Ojibwe.

All spoke of the need for such a teaching lodge, where any who seek can learn more of the traditional ways. Representative Nelson commented at how this is important for our young ones.

Chief Spears gave words of thanks. He said that many teachings will take place in this building. That this is a place where elders will pool their knowledge and teach the traditional ways to all.

Representative Martin said that at the onset for discussions regarding the need for a Round House, meetings began with 15 elders, which then slowly grew to 30. They met every other week to share their knowledge of such things, of how the Round House should be built and the purposes for which it would be used.

Representative Nelson spoke words of thanks to all who worked in the planning of the dedication. Those who brought the tables, the cooks, the organizers, the firekeepers, the drums, and all who attended and participated in this important event.

Spiritual Elder Stillday summed it up well and simply. “A good thing happens here”, he said.

"Hands are Not for Hitting"

CALLING ATTENTION TO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH: THREE RED LAKE PROGRAMS COLLABORATE

The “Hands are Not for Hitting” wall at the Red Lake Boys and Girls Club

“Child abuse and neglect offend the basic values of our state. We have a responsibility to provide safe settings for at-risk children and facilitate permanent placement for children who cannot return home.” ~Matt Blunt

Darla Stillday, Red Lake Boys and Girls Club; DeWayne Dow, Jr., Boys and Girls Club Program Assistant at Ponemah; and Red Lake Public Safety Officers Francis LaPlant, and Robert Lynch prepare to put their handprints on the wall.

April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. To honor the children and to draw attention to the prevention of child abuse, the Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club, Family and Children Services, and Red Lake Public Safety invited people from the community to come and dip the palm of their hand in paint. This was followed then by participants putting their handprints on the “Hands Are Not for Hitting Wall” at the Red Lake Boys and Girls Club. Participants were also invited to sign the “Hands are Not for Hitting” Proclamation.

“Child abuse does not go away, but 90 percent of child abuse is preventable,” ~Karen Adams

Officer Francis LaPlant adds his handprint to the wall. He chooses yellow and high.

Though the activity took place over several days, a special recognition of the event took place at noon on Thursday April 22, 2010 at the Boys and Girls Club. Several community members and employees of Red Lake Public Safety came to leave their handprint in support of children. Many youth and adults, added handprints over several weeks.

“I believe the best service to the child is the service closest to the child, and children who are victims of neglect, abuse, or abandonment must not also be victims of bureaucracy. They deserve our devoted attention, not our divided attention.” ~Kenny Guinn

DeWayne Dow, Jr. chooses red and low.

Also in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Red Lake Family and Children Services coordinated a community walk to encourage community awareness and support for healthy family living. The child abuse prevention walk was held on April 29, 2010. Prizes were awarded at all Red Lake schools which included bikes, digital cameras, and other prizes. All received special commemorative t-shirts.

"The only reason why child abuse is alive today, is because we as adults fail our children when we fail to listen to them. Listen to a child today!" ~Heather McClane

Officer Robert Lynch shows his red hand preparing to handprint the wall

Red Lake Family and Children Services, Red Lake Public Safety Department, and Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club have come together and are working collaboratively for children in several ways and will continue to do so.

Kelly Brunell, Crime Investigator at Red Lake Public Safety, Paula Woods, Executive Director Family and Children, and Beck Wierschke, Executive Director of Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club recently attended trainings in Albuquerque. The trio also attended the National Summit for missing children, where they heard presentations by Amber Alert and others in Washington, D.C.

“Molesters Do Not Wear an Ugly Mask. They Wear A Shield of Trust.” ~Patty Rase Hopson

Public Safety Officer Robert Lynch places his handprint

Some of the ideas for the Child Abuse Prevention Month came from working with the Native American Children’s Alliance NACA, (www.nativechildalliance.org) of Cleveland OH. NACA is interested in providing healing for tribal communities often using both traditional and western modalities.

As a beginning to this collaboration, members of these three Red Lake groups took this pledge:

“My pledge to help stop child abuse in my community: I (place name here) will make the following commitment to help create a safer environment for all children in my community:

~Print business cards that includes the web address netsmartz.org. (This is the address for National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, a website providing parents an on line safety training for child protection.)

~Participate with Children and Family Services (CFS) in the walk to prevent child abuse.

~Sign hands proclamations and affix handprints to the appropriate wall.

“Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime.” ~Herbert Ward

Public Safety Officer Francis LaPlant signs the “Hands are Not for Hitting” proclamation while Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club Director Becky Wierschke awaits.

For more information about the this collaboration for children and it’s future activities, contact the Red Lake Department of Public Safety at 218-679-3313, Red Lake Children and Family Services at 679-2122, or the Red Lake Nation Boys and Girls Club at 679-2556.

“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.” ~Walt Streightiff

We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For!

The Hopi Elders Speak

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.

Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.

And there are things to be considered:

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships? Are you in right relation?

Where is your water? Know your garden.

It is time to speak your Truth.

Create your community. Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold on to the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river

Keep our eyes open and our heads above the water.

See who is in there with you

And celebrate.

At this time in history we are to take nothing personally.

Least of all, ourselves.

For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word "struggle" from your attitude and your vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for."

~The Elders / Oraibi, Arizona / Hopi Nation