Standing Rock / Photo by No Spiritual Surrender What are the lessons to be learned from Nathan Phillips? Do they teach us to respond with violent intent when confronted with racial arrogance? Some seem to think so. Among the many opinions that I’ve read, there are those who would prefer to physically strike the face of the enemy. To some extent, such a response is understandable. After all, we live in a time when racism is abroad and permeates the very fabric of our lives. This is nothing new. Racism has been a part of our lives ever since the oppressors first stepped foot on the indigenous lands of the Americas 526 years ago. Our tribal collective consciousness has been imprinted with the traumas of genocide, ecocide, linguicide, enforced assimilation, and the theft of our homelands. Striking out in anger and hate seems like a reasonable response. However, this isn’t what Nathan Phillips teaches us. He teaches us as an elder teaches us because he is, after all, an elder. One who has experienced the ravages of war and who stood on the front lines at Standing Rock. One who has experienced racism and prejudice. On that day memorable day in Washington, Nathan Phillips was, to me, the embodiment of the Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Anishinaabeg, teachings that have guided our soul-spirits through the countless ages. Zoogide’iwin (Courage): Zoogide’iwin is to face the foe with integrity. We face life with the courage to use our personal strengths to face difficulties, stand tall through adversity, and make positive choices. We must stand up for our convictions and have courage in our thinking and speaking. All of these actions together will lead to ceaseless bravery. Gwayakwaadiziwin (Honesty): Gwayakwaadiziwin is to be honest in every action we take. Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave. Always be honest in word and action. Be honest first with yourself, and you will more easily be able to be honest with others. Debasendizowin (Humility): Debasendizowin is to know yourself as a sacred part of the Creation. We must always consider ourselves equal to one another. We should never think of ourselves as being better or worse than anyone else. Humility comes in many forms. This includes compassion, calmness, meekness, gentleness, and patience. We must reflect on how we want to present ourselves to those around us. We must be aware of the balance and equality with all of life, including humans, plants, and animals. Manaaji'idiwin (Respect): To honor all of the Creation is to have Manaaji'idiwin. All of creation should be treated with respect. We must give respect if we wish to be respected. There should be no part of creation that should be excluded from the honor that we are to give. We demonstrate respect by realizing the value of all people and things, and by showing courteous consideration and appreciation. Respect is not just an action, but a heart-grown feeling. Zaagi'idiwin (Love): To know Zaagi'idiwin is to know peace. To know peace is to know Love. Love must be unconditional. For one to love and accept themselves is to live at peace with the Creator and in harmony with all of creation. Love knows no bounds. We must accept it sincerely and give it freely. Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom): To cherish knowledge is to know Nibwaakaawin. Wisdom is given by the Creator to be used for the good of the people. We must remember to listen and use the wisdom that has been provided by our elders and our spiritual leaders. Debwewin (Truth): Debwewin is to know all of these things. Speak the truth. Do not deceive yourself or others. Truth is having the knowledge of our cultural teachings. It gives us the ability to act without regret. We must understand, speak, and feel the truth, while also honoring its power. All those teachings were in full view on that day before the Lincoln Memorial. They were like a tribal collective vision, one that reminded us of who we are and where we came from. Unlike the Trump MAGA Youth that surrounded him, Phillips didn’t teach us hate and intolerance of another race. In those confrontational moments, the young white men also provided a teaching, a teaching of what a life is like that is lived in absence of the Seven Teachings. Lives lived without courage, honesty, humility, respect, love, wisdom, and truth. An inconvenient truth is a warrior does not respond like to like. Rather, a warrior responds with zhawenim (compassion) and in doing so understands the nature of his enemy. This is what Phillips, and the Seven Teachings, teach us. We are warriors of prayer, not violence and hate. If we overlook the Seven Teachings, then we become like them and the Creation becomes meaningless. Before the taunting leer of Trump’s racist America, Nathan Phillips stood strongly and resiliently, not as one but for all of us. His medicine song was our song, one that has been sung since the Earth was new. His drumbeat was our heartbeat, one that has beat from the time Original Man walked upon Mother Earth. Our ancestral heartbeat has never stopped beating and we have never stopped walking. Nathan Philips reminds of this. © 2019, Robert DesJarlait
© Photo, No Spiritual Surrender
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AuthorEndaso-Giizhik Archives
June 2021
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