Fran Dancing Feather

Many indigenous peoples around the world believe that we can help each other heal from any affliction of the body, mind or spirit by using prayers, natural medicines from the earth and other components of ceremony. These beliefs for many of us, are older than any of us can remember. The skills of healing ceremonies have been carefully guarded and passed from one generation to another throughout the ages for thousands of years. The words and actions of various rituals have been held sacred and very private for most Tribal members and extended families. It is insulting, dangerous and disrespectful when these rituals are copied and corrupted by others who attempt to steal them for profit and recognition. Just last year, a non-native man from our area was arrested for attempting to imitate a Native American ritual that was performed outside Tribal or even Inter-tribal protocol without consulting local Tribal elders. As the result the innocent attendees were charged nine thousand dollars apiece and instructed to trust his leadership without question. Three of them died! The fake “spiritual guru” was jailed and the native community spoke out harshly against his actions in the media. This was a great tragedy and a valuable lesson for everyone. Ancient Tribal culture is not a game or a fantasy. It is to be practiced only under the direction of the Tribal elders being represented. Read the rest of this entry »

Kateri Tekakwitha was one of the victims of the genocide imposed by the early settlers of New England around the year 1660. Her people received blankets that were infected with smallpox and she fell ill and nearly died at the tender age of four years old. The outbreak of the disease killed her brother and both parents and many others of her Mohawk Tribesmen and women. She recovered but her face was severely disfigured and she was left with other resulting physical problems as well. At her Catholic baptism, she was given the name Kateri Tekakwitha, which means “one who puts things in order”. Kateri was shunned by members of her Tribe because of her conversion but she loved the Creator and did not back down to criticism. She devoutly practiced her Tribal traditional spirituality in combination with Catholicism. The virtues of her Tribal loyalty combined with Catholic obedience have served as an ecumenical bridge for many native Americans who feel shunned or discriminated against by early Christians. She is the patron of the environment and ecology, a cause for which many American Indian people, is the very root of our spirituality. She died April 17, 1680. Miraculous events occurred at the moment of her death which qualified her to be considered for Sainthood. Pope Benedict XVI approved her canonization and this year she will become an official Saint. Read the rest of this entry »

The earth is a gift from our Creator and it is our responsibility to do all we can to protect and defend her for as long as the next seven generations. She gives us every material thing there is. She provides both the products of nature and the elemental ingredients for everything man-made as well. She is the keeper of the sacred medicines—the herbal remedies, fruits and vegetables, grains and spices. Shaken Skunk said that every medicine to cure every single illness of humanity, both known illnesses and unknown illnesses, exists within a two-square-mile area of any mountain slope. The medicine healer knows where, when and how to harvest them. She said that when the harvester is worthy, the medicines they require will be revealed to them. If the harvester is not of “good spiritual heart” the medicines will hide from them. The earth also provides building materials for our homes and furniture and fibers for cloth used to make clothing. The earth provides animals for us to hunt and eat and use the hides for drums, warm clothes, moccasins and the bones for tools. She provides minerals and the elements of fire, water and wind. If we follow the seasons and watch the night sky, we will know when to plant and harvest, rest and work. Read the rest of this entry »

In an article published on January 28, 2011, the reporter writes about the remains of the first indigenous inhabitants of Los Angeles and about the “…many people whose Native American names were recorded by a friar from Majorca who made a point of learning Indian languages.” Latinos and Native Americans with ancestry from the beginnings of the “Pueblo de Los Angeles”, are deeply concerned with the appropriate reburial of these ancestors. Numerous retellings of the story early this year, reported that the remains of these ancestors were in the possession of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. On June fifth I spoke with an elder from one of the California Tribes who reminded me that the remains need to be returned as soon as possible to their families and Tribes of origin so that they may be honored and re-buried with respect, each for individual ancient tradition and culture. After this conversation and considering my credentials with the Church, I felt compelled to contact the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles in hopes of expediting this process. I wrote an email requesting his attention to this issue, to Archbishop Jose Gomez and received the following email in response.

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Mystical change comes to the mind of many American Indian people, when we see a raven nearby. There are times when certain animals seem to be hanging around or we keep seeing the same wild creature over and over for several days or weeks. The elders have told us that each of the animals has their own unique “medicine”. Medicine is defined as anything in the natural world that provides healing in any form, for the body, mind and/or spirit of us. Animals are often seen as messengers from our Creator. They come to teach us things about ourselves, each other and God that we may not otherwise notice. The presence of the animal reminds us that we are loved by the Master of Creation and that perhaps there is something new we can learn about ourselves.

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A huge courageous sycamore tree grows right out of the base of Montezuma Well and around the aqueduct and river. The shade from it’s graceful far-reaching branches alongside the peaceful sound of flowing water and the ancient native-ness of the well, all work together to create a truly healing environment. Resting quietly under that sycamore, you can almost consciously feel the activity of the immune system, leveling vital signs and restoring peace and renewal to every aspect of the body, mind and spirit. The tree has a complexion of gentle camouflage colors of mixed greens, tan, gray, cream, and white with the bark being rendered with a dappling appearance as it sheds the various layers of itself over time.

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We were told that walnut trees were planted near American Indian village sites in the Beaver Creek area. Research reveals that Black Walnut is a beautiful tree and would be the variety most likely to occur here, though it must be planted with care and consideration for it’s many characteristics. The tree produces a rounded crown from 70 to 150 feet in the woods and spreads 60 to 80 feet when open grown. Best growth occurs in a sunny location with moist rich soil, common along stream banks in its native habitat. It grows rapidly when young but slows with age and develops a number of massive branches well spaced along the trunk forming a very strong, durable and lovely tree. While valued as a lumber tree it may not make the best yard tree. The nuts are edible but are a nuisance to clean up and leaves often fall prematurely from leaf disease. The fruit is very hard and can dull a lawn mower blade quickly and a mower can ‘shoot’ the fruit across a lawn at a high speed, possibly injuring people in the area.

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The natural distribution range of the genus Yucca (49 species and 24 subspecies) covers a vast area of the Americas from Baja in the west, northwards into the American Southwest, through the drier central states and as far north as Alberta, Canada and east along the Atlantic coast. To the south, Yucca is found throughout Mexico. Yuccas have adapted to an equally vast range of climate and ecological conditions. They are found in rocky deserts and badlands, mountains, prairies and grasslands like the Verde Valley. Yuccas are pollinated by yucca moths. They instinctively transfer the pollen from one plant to another, and at the same time lay an egg in the flower. Then the moth larva feeds on some of the developing seeds, always leaving enough seed to perpetuate the species. Yucca species are the host plants for the caterpillars of the Yucca Giant-Skipper.

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(This article by Fran Dancing Feather appeared in the July issue of the AA Grapevine)

Today is the potluck to celebrate all the AA birthdays for the month. We have a big cake and tons of food and really great fellowship. There is no place I would rather be then right here. There is no one else I would rather be then me and no other fellowship on the planet that speaks higher about the gifts of healing then this little AA gathering way out in the back country of Central Arizona. It’s the Red Road meeting and we are just upriver from the local Indian Reservation.

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