Heralding Indigenous Healing

 

SIGNS OF HEALING

When my body is ready to wake up in the morning, the first things I ask are “ok, what day is it and what’s on the agenda?”

Today, I didn’t need to ask both questions, only the latter. A new art exhibit is being celebrated and unveiled at the Pitt Meadows Art Gallery. I’ve been excited about it all week, and today was the day of revelation!

Signs of Healing features the creative works of artist James Groening and other Native Renaissance Foundation artists. My personal interest stems back to witnessing odd human behaviour and attitudes towards the Indigenous peoples in the hamlet where I grew up. Later in life, I was able to piece information together, and I have carried a talking stick at every opportunity to raise the profile of, and support, the reconciliation movement. 

I think by now we all know that for over 400 years, Indigenous peoples have endured immense hardship—marked by colonization, forced displacement, cultural obliteration and acts of genocide. The legacy of this trauma has created generations of pain and systemic inequality, as well as social issues and economic hardship.

Still today, some ask—often with indifference, ignorance or disdain—“Why can’t they just move on?”  This insensitive and senseless question or suggestion overlooks the depth of the harm and the time it takes to heal from centuries of injustice. If we all put ourselves into their shoes for even an hour, like at this exhibit, we would develop a level of empathy and understanding that many still now simply do not have. It is hard to move forward when an iron door remains firmly shut. 

Happily the creative works in this exhibition do not dwell solely on the historic and ever present wrongs of which we are all aware,  including the resulting sorrow and pain throughout Indigenous communities. This unique art also radiates joy, connection, resilience, and the enduring strength of family and community. These pieces of art tell many stories that form one gigantic story from which we can all learn. 

Artistic expression is a significant step in the reconciliation process as well as in the important process of healing. It is but one step of many. Within each piece of art, there is a story to be told by the artist, not only to help their personal healing journey but also to highlight the significance of their history and culture.

To give but one example of what stood out for me today, I want to mention the depiction of the Turtle and Mother Nature in some of the pieces. Long before the invasion of what we now refer to as North America, this landmass was named by the original inhabitants as Turtle Island. If you study a topographical map of the land and use your imagination, and respect the respect Indigenous peoples have for animals and the holiness or power of Mother Nature, suddenly the depiction makes total sense. 

I totally enjoyed looking at, studying and understanding the messages of the artists. The experience was not rushed and should not be rushed. I highly recommend the curious and reluctant set a couple of hours aside for a fantastic educational experience the likes of which I hope we will see more of very soon, and at other venues around town.

As Indigenous communities continue to reclaim their voices, cultures, and identities, their art becomes a living expression of strength, pride and transformation. It shows us what healing can look like: powerful, beautiful, and ongoing.

We are all one on this Earth — one group of breathing plants, animals and peoples, guided by Mother Nature. By moving forward together, with respect, honour and in harmony, acknowledging links between all four, we would be more inclined to feel peace, live in peace and be at peace on this unique planet called Earth. 

I stand on the back of a turtle and see a beautiful world … I do pray that it will soon be so …

THÉ ROOT OF IT ALL

 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥!

Not a day goes by when I open FB, read news or watch news, without a dominating trend of watching our world go to hell in a hand basket!

But, what can we do as individual grassrooters? It is time to find out.

Bitching and complaining, highlighting idiocracy, insensitivity and stupidity, outing atrocities, crying, yelling and stomping our feet just is not working.

I don’t have the answer to my own question but I am working on a theory. I am studying Nature. How does Mother Nature deal with challenges? Her roots are deeply embedded into the earth’s soil and her work is keeping the plants and animals healthy and strong. Unfortunately her power has not resonated in the minds of some humans who are bent on selfishness and evil, authoritarianism, domination and indoctrination.  

Diversity in the plant and wild animal world seems to be doing very well. Boundaries, respect and honour are cornerstones of their survival. 

Diversity in the human world — not so much! A certain component or segment of the human part of our Earth has failed the rest of us, resulting in the travesties that are spreading faster than ever. No boundaries, no respect, no honour. 

Yes I am working on a theory…it focuses on roots, grassroots, paired with the power and energy of SkyWorld and Mother Nature, to shake up all segments of the human component of our Earth. I think we can all agree that that component of our Earth could use a good shake up because no day goes by without a large question mark vibrating in our heads! « What are they doing and what are we doing? »😳 

Yes I have studied Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. And, much like they tried to set a logical path for humanity to follow, I will « piece » MY 21st Century theory together for the sake of peace and the survival of the human component of our shared Earth, one root at a time. 

Yes, like Plato, Aristotle and Socrates before me, my head is out of the sand of mainstream thinking and I am using all of my cerebral gears to get this peace engine rolling forward! ☮️ There’s no stopping me now!

Stay tuned!

LET LOVE RULE

 

The Reality Seed

There was a time in my life when I would look at a forest and only see forest. Several decades later when I was able to move forward from a busy personal and business lifestyle, I found comfort and peace from walking in a forest, stopping and actually seeing the trees all around me. At times I would find myself staring at one particular tree. I would see its height, its width, its branches and roots. I’d breathe in the fresh air through my nose and out slowly through my pursed lips. The experience made me feel calm. The air around me was noticeably fresh and clean. The area around us was peaceful and serene. I would hear myself say: I wonder what it is like to be like you — a tree?

A tree starts from a seed and grows into a seedling. Its roots embed themselves deeply and confidently into the soil creating its stability and strength. As it holds its ground, it grows and grows and its branches spread out towards other trees. Every day they breathe in and out, and depend on and benefit from the nutrients of the soil, and each other, and prosper from the energy of the sun, moon and SkyWorld. At maturity they drop more seeds and the cycle of growth continues. 

In fact the metaphor that pairs humans and trees is indisputable. We have a lot in common. We start with a seed, grow through infancy, find our ground, embed our roots, grow strength from our stages, reach out to include others in our lives, benefit from our own fruits and that of others, and from the energy of the sun, moon and SkyWorld. Some of us share our seeds to make more seeds, and the cycle of population growth continues. 

I think that is why many humans feel comfortable in a forest. The commonalities are not hard to find. Our roles on Earth are very similar or can be: Live in peace by loving and respecting  ourselves and others.

I know it is hard for some people to think abstractly or to consider correlations. My human-tree analogy isn’t something everyone can get their head around. If this was the 1960s, some people would suggest I am on psychedelic drugs! They would likely have me committed to a mental institution for special testing and therapy. But, this isn’t the 1960s, thankfully, and the only drug I need is reality.

Reality tells me humans, plants and animals are all here on this Earth for a reason — to live together, to learn from each other, and to keep the cycle growing. For the most part, civil societies understand reality. Sadly, there are uncivil societies on our Earth where wars, disruptions, atrocities and evil behaviour are dominate realities, and no amount of effort to help bring peace their way has helped. 

So recently an interesting idea came my way. Let’s plant a new tree in every part of the world. Call it The Peace Tree. Clear some land around it; add some basic landscaping, a bench or two, and a few story boards nearby to share the connection between trees story, and the connections between humans story, and maybe even a story board referencing wild animal kingdoms because although I don’t know much about the animal societies, I am feeling like there is a connection there as well. Humans, plants and animals were put on this earth to learn from each other, to live with each other, and to keep the regrowth cycle growing peacefully, calmly and respectfully. Somewhere along the way that concept fell off the rails. We know about, hear about and witness more sadness and struggles in societies seemingly every single day, driving hopes for peace further and further away. 

Each Peace Tree Project would then become a local outdoor temple of sorts. They would be an open and free meeting area, a gathering place or a meditation spot to meditatively zero in on non-peaceful situations. Together they would connect as a powerful international energy source to positively impact troubled societies, telepathically sending messages of hope and encouragement to help the afflicted, and to help create a peaceful world. Isn’t that the ultimate desire of everyone? Peace. Everyone wants peace; everyone needs peace; everyone should have peace.

I know this arms length international peace-building concept of doing our bit to help others in repressed or war torn societies, seems farfetched and impossible to accomplish. Remember this: In the beginning I only saw forests. Everywhere I looked I only saw forests. Then, somewhere along the journey of life, I began to see the trees and then each tree became important. We are all trees in the forest of life and living on our Earth; we all have a role to play. That role might be big or could be small, but we all do have a role to play.

Each person on this Earth, each animal and each plant is important to themselves and each other. Doing nothing to help when help is needed, does nothing.

Doing something simple and symbolic like establishing sacred Peace Tree sites, creates a connective positive energy grid around the world. That grid would transform meditative energy to power. In this case the power is LIVE — starting with one tree to another and another and another, one person to another and another and another, all working together for the greater good of all.

We do all know that love is powerful, and that just might be the reality seed to establishing peace in our world. Let Love Rule! and then let’s see the outcome. 

SEEING THE TREE BEFORE THE FOREST

 

   🌳     𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀     🌲 

Something rather ironic happened to me this year. It relates to trees.

Growing up in a village surrounded by mountains and valleys filled with many species of trees, deciduous and coniferous, tall and short, I would look at them all as simply one big forest of green. I never saw anything specific or special but I would have easily seen a forest, one big forest, every single day.

Growing through my teens in a city, the forests were a great distance away. I saw the occasional tree here and there, no rhyme, no reason, just here and there, singles and pairs, but rarely much more. Over sixty years of living I never gave that difference much thought because neither trees nor forests meant anything to me — until now. It’s amazing what retirement can do to a person.

In January on the Island called Aruba in the southern Caribbean, a new friend told me about a project she and three other like minded people were working on. They are four of many people in the world concerned about not only climate change, but also the state of our world 🌎 going to hell in a hand basket. Be it the stresses of environmental issues, war, poverty, protests, greed, avarice, sloth, envy, bigotry, racism, control, wrath, domination and the like, our world is crying for help. But, not enough is happening to stop the damage, reconcile and get us back to a greater sense of peace. Love, honour and respect for all people and all things seem to have been cast aside and replaced by their own antonyms! 

When Sofie told me about her plans for a Peace festival to raise awareness about the state of our world and the continuous downhill slope into which we were heading, my mind went immediately to the 1960s Woodstock era.

Younger generations of people stepped to the plate to open the world’s consciousness about human destructive and disruptive behaviours impacting our lives and the health of our planet. They were all together in one location hoping for a brighter and more peaceful future. That event was a pivotal time in our history. It did have some impact, but the impact lost momentum and here we find our world in a state of disarray once again.

Along comes a determined group of peace loving people, stepping to the plate and joining an international effort to put peace at the forefront of our minds, and at the top of all agendas. Similar events are happening around the world, each with the basic premise of giving peace a chance. This one festival I am featuring is called Let Love Rule Peace Tree Festival and it will be happening in Amsterdam August 9-11.

The program includes a variety of presentations, talks, discussions, exercises  and tools to help us better understand the importance of stepping to the plate, speaking up and guiding personal and business decisions toward the greater good of all, specifically including the needs of Mother Nature and ultimately our 🌎 world. All of this will be paired with drumming, dancing and other musical and cultural entertainment. 

The culmination of the entire Festival experience will be forever embedded in the planting of a Sequoia tree — a tree of strength, resilience, longevity and wisdom. Its location will be in a quiet public place, and include story boards and spots for quiet reflection for people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds. It will join an internationally rooted forest of peace trees.

Symbolically the tree will be an earthly connection to all other peace tree planting events around the world. It will become a part of a new “community forest” reflecting and encouraging international efforts to restore hope and optimism for healthy, peaceful existences for all breathing people, animals and plants on Earth. It will help people to value their love and respect for one another and all living things, for the good of humanity, as well as Earth’s forests, flora and fauna, for generations to come. 

Unlike in my younger days, I do now see the tree, the trees and the forest! I see the good around me but I also see the bad and the ugly. I see sitting around and ignoring reality waiting for someone else to take care of it, is not feeling right to me. It’s because of this that I will be attending the 𝓛𝓮𝓽  𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮  𝓡𝓾𝓵𝓮 𝓟𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓮  𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓮  𝓕𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵 in August. 

We will be “renewing the soil and planting a seed” in the hopes of moving the world forward peacefully, respectfully and progressively. It’s free for all so if you are interested in being a part of it, let me know or check out the website at https://www.letloverulepeace.com/ .

Tropical Storm hits Aruba

𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧

I am sitting on my balcony chair reflecting on the diversity of an atypical day on the Island of Aruba. It rained for more than a few moments!

At 7:16 this morning I caught the 10B bus to the end of its route: Arashi Beach. Every Saturday morning I attend an outdoor TaiChi class usually under the tutelage of Master Teacher Sofie Slegers. Today we would have the pleasure of enjoying one of her associates, Irene, as our leader. TaiChi always a lovely way to start the day.

This particular Saturday, however, was different. Very different. The afternoon  and night before we endured a massive tropical rain and wind storm that drenched the land, the flora and fauna, the streets and the people. When we woke up the next morning, it was like nothing so wild ever happened. We could not have been more wrong.

So off I went to the bus stop, the next morning, disembarked with an extra skip in my step, and walked to the class location. The ocean water was somewhat wild and warm, the air was fresh and cool; the wind was blowing lightly. The resident flock of a dozen colourful abandoned roosters were extra happily prancing around beyond the parking area; the pelicans were going wild at targeting their morning meal, and the tiny birds of a feather were filled with an extra bit of happiness in their hop, skip and jump around the white sandy beach. I felt the happiness all around me.

As the class routine unfolded, the ocean was sometimes wild, sometimes calm, and sometimes in between.  The class syllabus was slow and easy, with incentives to think, reflect and feel our thoughts, our heart, lungs and internal energy. It was relaxing and beautiful.

About an hour later, we all returned to our respective home bases. I refreshed my outfit, combed my hair, grabbed a beverage and towel, and set out to the beach. 

Once settled and after sharing my morning experience with family and friends, we heard a huge blast of thunder, followed by very fast and loud falling rain from an angry looking sky! It went on for at least an hour, giving us a reprieve to gather our things and return to our inside accommodations. 

Since I 🇨🇦 don’t travel to Aruba with warm clothes, staying in an air conditioned apartment isn’t the best option for a damp, cold body. I grabbed a large towel and sat out on my second floor balcony to watch the sky, the rain and the flooded ground, paired with vehicles and people navigating themselves as quickly and safely as possible. I felt good about turning what many refer to as a negative experience, into an educational one. 

At that moment I felt sure my curiosity about the essence of TaiChi and QiGong had come to fruition. I was close to it before today but now I really feel connected to its goals and objectives where you finally learn to push away the negativity that we tend to jump to (or feel) too quickly when an anomaly like a massive storm interrupts our day. Instead I pulled in the positivity that comes from it: the impressive power of the atmosphere; the bathing of the land; refreshing the air; breathing new air; smelling freshness; feeding crops; cleansing roads and pathways; the need to shift and adjust, creating and practicing Plan Bs in order to move  forward. Yes, slow down and breathe.

At that moment, I also sat there calmly and quietly listening, watching and realizing the energy in the sky exploded for many reasons: empirical, theoretical and spiritual. 

SkyWorld energy such as storms clearly impacts a multiplicity of components — human and otherwise. It created this weather system and significantly impacted this part of the Earth today, and all people and things on it. This loud and furious storm was a very effective example of testing one’s patience and endurance, and creating an awareness within us that something significant and bigger than ourselves caught our attention or needed to catch it —  and we needed to listen and learn, adjust and adapt, slow down and shift. There were messages there in that storm, lots of them, and the one that resonates most in me is to push away the negative of the experience and pull in the positive, finding and embracing the good in all things.

And now, two hours later — here comes the sun and our senses are stronger than ever. Eyes open wider, lungs happy, minds amazed and stunned, hearts smiling.

Thank you SkyWorld for the shake up and shape up exercise, and the self-test. I saw the ‘sun’ in the rain, and saw the rainbow as well — I hope others did too.

Sequoia

 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞

This August I will be travelling to my native homeland, the Netherlands, to participate in a unique and exciting event. This year the City of Amsterdam is celebrating 750 years of growing strong and proud as a community and a city in the province called North Holland.

I am supporting a group of peace loving and nature loving volunteers who are preparing something very special for the celebration: the planting of a tree. This will not be just any tree, but a very special tree. A sequoia. It will be planted in a sacred part of a city park where people from all walks of life and traditions can come and go freely, sit quietly, contemplate, meditate, reflect, and feel the power of the serene surroundings of what will be called The Peace Tree.

At a time when the world seems divided and conflicts are flaring everywhere, creating so much chaos, confusion and division, this project is very timely. This tree will become a living monument of hope, harmony and recovery. It will be an outdoor welcoming place, a gathering place, for everyone, surrounded by the beauty and comfort of Nature. It will be one of many being planted around the world, and I am looking forward to being in Amsterdam to witness the compassion and determination of the organizers, participants, residents and guests.

The symbolism and powerful message of the mighty Sequoia dates back centuries with indigenous roots and beliefs. It is known as a powerful symbol of peace and connection; it stands tall, strong and honourable on its own and in the company of others. It is resilient and able to withstand harsh conditions. As a metaphor, it stands for human endurance, growth and survival. “If it can do it, we can do it too.”  The Sequoia is known as the Peace Tree of the forest.

As is true with every noble volunteer initiative, financial support is needed. The costs include the purchase, transportation and planting of a four metre tall healthy tree by professionals and specialists who will ensure the space is right, the soil is right and the job is done right. The tree will be the centerpiece of a specially designed resting place and include a commemorative plaque, storyboards, artwork and places to sit and stand. Of course all of this will cost money.

I want to help this peace and sustainability project become a success. I know others will agree that every effort, big or small, to contribute to helping our ailing Earth,  ailing world and ailing people heal, individually and collectively, can only be a good thing. 

Volunteer efforts like this are happening around the world; but, because I was invited to this one, I am doing my bit to support this project in Amsterdam. 

If you would like to contribute or want more information, please DM me.  When I return, I will send you a photo of what you helped to make a reality in Amsterdam. Who knows, maybe one day you can drop by and visit it too. It will be a beautiful spot, in a beautiful city and park, for everyone to visit, appreciate and experience for decades to come! I’m looking forward to the experience. 🌲 

Power of Seeds

 

The Seed that Grows Us

An acquaintance of mine was at Rideau Hall this week to attend the official welcoming of our King, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, to Canada. He posted a beautiful photo of the group but, something else caught my attention.

Rideau Hall is the official residence of our Governor General. Our Governor General is Mary Simon, an indigenous woman who has adorned the walls of her new home with a lot of indigenous art. My eyes focused on the seeds beneath the earth and something more bloomed from that vision. Everything starts from a seed.

Life starts from a seed — a zygote that is continually nurtured by the carrying body and prepared for entry into our world. From there the mother takes the reigns and makes choices. The family gets involved and society gets involved, and then the maturing seed develops as a reflection of that upbringing. 

Similarly, our fruits and vegetables start from a seed. Their success depends on the quality of the soil, rays from the sun, as well as rain and watering. Nurturing (loving, caring, feeding) is the best fertilizer and key to the success of the crops. Wise choices render successful outcomes from which we all benefit. 

But something we all too often ignore or forget, is the importance of the role of extraterrestrial or celestial energy from SkyWorld. Without those mystical sources, humans, animals and vegetation would not be here.

So in this work of art by Canadian Métis visual artist Christi Belcourt, entitled Honouring My Spirit Helpers, she beautifully captures the lifespan of a seed, the circle of life having a beginning and an end, and a whole lot in between. The seed is planted and roots itself steadfastly and determined, underground, taking its place in the Earth, growing and branching out. It remains rooted with strength and confidence, mainly depending on external forces to radiate honour and respect to help it maximize its potential and value. 

But, the seed also equally depends on all of humanity understanding and embracing the cycle, like a partnership, and that part is all too often overlooked or overpowered.

Since forever there have always been individuals and groups raising the flag of concern about humanity taking the Earth and Nature for granted, being powered by multinationals, greed and indifference. We now hear a lot about human caused climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, irrational decision making, and governments are finally stepping on board to help turn things around for the sake of our planet and the well being of future generations. 

But governments are not the only drivers of this mission to get back to the roots of the problems before us. Small groups of genuinely concerned people have been holding that flag for decades during our lifetime. Their collective consensus is that everything in Nature is a symbol of strength, but dependent on love, respect and honour from all of us. They’ve often been dismissed as fringe loonies, sometimes placated in small ways by governments and businesses; but, the tide is now turning because as the earth ages,  so much has gone wrong. The fringe is in vogue. Government, businesses and other people are starting to listen.

That message and this beautiful vision by Christi Belcourt is a captivating story from which we can all benefit.

Now is the time to plant actual and metaphorical seeds, nurture those seeds, value, honour and respect them, and work together to save our ailing Earth, in order to shape a new thriving, living world — before it’s too late! 

Everything starts from a seed.

#letloverule #plantatree #thepeacemovement #earthwatch