When I was a child, I walked beneath a tree. As I walked beneath this tree, a seed fell, spinning down, leading my eyes to the ground in front of me. Through this act, this seed made me aware of all the seeds that had fallen before, and I was amazed at the number of seeds that had fallen.

I leaned foreword to study the seeds more closely. My heart filled with wonder, when I saw that from each seed, a tree could grow. Recalling that the seed fell from above, I peered up into the tree and there I saw thousands of the same kinds of seeds.

It was there beneath that tree, that I was struck with the wonder of life. I realized that there was a great forest in that tree! Standing beneath that tree, I realized the potential given to all living things. For I understood as I stood under the tree, that from each seed, there grew a tree and in each tree there was a forest. From that one tree, I envisioned a beautiful world covered with trees.

That day I realized, I understood the language of the tree, for I understood everything that tree had taught me. I understood that trees were a greater spirit than I and I would be an under-study to them, all of my life. I understood, we great and small, were given the power of greatness. Standing there in the comfort of it's shade, I understood humility. I understood there would always be Greater Spirits than myself to guide and protect me, all of my life.

Pleased with all that I had learned, I wanted to share this new knowledge with a friend. I ran as fast as I could to my friend's home, only to find that he was out. Disappointed, for what is knowledge if it can not be shared? Sadly I turned to walk away. As I turned, wonder of wonders, I saw beside his home, the same kind of tree!

My disappointment for my friend turned to joy, for I knew that he would be taught the same lessons, I was gifted by this tree. It was then I understood the meaning of a Great Spirit. For wherever this tree appeared on Earth, All the People, wherever the tree grew, would know the same lessons in life, taught to me by the Great Spirit of the Tree.

Like all Great Spirits, the tree shares this knowledge with everyone, however great or small, however young or old and whatever race or tribe of man, the tree taught them all, equally. I had no fear that my friend would be left without this knowledge. As I grew older, the tree made me a part of it's life, sharing many teachings and I decided it's knowledge would become a part of my life, forever.

If the Creator God, put that much power into one small seed, how much more power/potential did he place in you?

An Open Letter to All Nations,

All Trees have a Spiritual Significance in all cultures throughout the world. The Tree represents the Great Mother Earth and are the mantel of Her beauty, as a nurturing mother who nourishes and shelters all forms of life. Under the Constitution of the United States and Canada's Charter of (Religious) Rights and Freedom, these Sacred Beings, should be protected. This should be a concern for all Nations.

To demonstrate their Spiritual Significance, we give you these further thoughts to consider.

The Trees teach us the cycle of life. The Tree produces the leaf, the leaf feeds the insects, the insects feed the birds, the birds feed the lesser animals, the lesser animals running down the tree feed the greater animals, and the greater animals are hunted and eaten by man, mans body returns to the Earth to enrich the soil, and the soil nourishes the Tree, that feeds the leaf...and so on. This is taught in all school's of thought, included in all established school curiculum.

Being that, you are what you eat, all of these beings become one and other in body and spirit. This system is the Totemic system of the Native People of Earth. This is why Northwest Coast Natives of North America carve Totems from these Trees of Life to represent their Family Tree. The Mother's totem is set as the base, closest to the Earth and the Father's totem is set at the top of the pole, near Elder Brother, Sky. These Totems are symbolic of Mothers, being the First Teachers of Children and depict Fathers as the Spiritual Heads of the Family. Mothers and fathers become the pillars of the community. The carving of a Totem Pole and other Sacred Articles is a sacred act, done through ceremony to illustrate the Spiritual Law of Life, on which family structure is based. That all life is sacred and that all life is based on sacrifice for the common good of all. This unifies families through the Universal Oneness of all things. The Tree teaches everyone the meaning of the Native expression used in Prayers, "All My Relations".

The Natives of the North Eastern Woodlands of America, carve a face into living trees of the forest. A Sacred Act carried out through ceremony to illustrate that Great Spirits dwell in the Forests. They carve these masks in living Trees to illustrate a "living god or great presence" that lived within the Forest. The Forest is a Cathedral and a Sacred Place of Worship. The Spirits of the Forest dispell all ignorance and fear, leaving health as a sacred gift. For dwelling in the forest are the Great Spirits which teach everyone to live in harmony with all life, and remind everyone that the Forests are ALIVE and teeming with life.

The destruction of these forests is the destruction of everyones Native Culture and our natural way of life! The forests teach Native People that to live a Sacred Life, one has to follow the Laws of the Creator God. For it is the thoughts of the Great Spirit(God), that manifests as these forests and become the true beauty of the mantel of Earth. Protected beneath Her mantel are the Children of Earth(Human Beings), protected from the light of the Sun, to enable the Children of Earth to see Spiritual Beauty.

The forests are the dwelling place of the Great Spirits and the Trees are the vessels from which the Spirit of Earth flows, Standing Rivers of Life (the Standing People). A great reverence for all Trees and Forests is widespread throughout the World.

The Mighty Oaks, used as an example of every Trees importance to the Culture of a People, are associated with the God of Thunder. They are Sacred to the Great Mother, the Earth. They were even Sacred to the Empire Builders (Roman God of Thunder Jupiter and Juno a Mother Goddess)and followed by their European descendants. The Celtic People, remember the God Doner, a Forest/Tree God or Presence and hold all Trees in high esteem. In China, the Oak represents fragile strength, since it does not bend in the wind, so breaks. One Traditional story teaches people to hold to their convictions through the choice of freedom or death. To Christians, the Tree symbolises Christ's steadfastness, as He is sometimes depicted as crucified on the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, symbolising redemption. In Judaism, the Tree is the symbol of the Divine Presence. This Presence is no different then the Presence honoured through ceremony, by Natives of North America or Natives of Africa. In Europe, the Oak symbolizes heroism, in teachings simular to the Chinese teaching of fragile strength but emphasising the conviction of faith. Many Tribes on Turtle Island have Traditional Stories about the Trees and Fire, Fire symbolising Faith, and the Water flowing through them, symbolising Life and Consciousness. Without faith, one has no courage and courage comes from the Heart. So Fire, Faith and Heart are seen as one. The Earth is the Heart of the Universe.

The teachings of the Oak and the Tree are Universal. The teachings described in this letter are merely a fraction of Spiritual Beliefs held by People the world over. We have not even mentioned all the teachings based on the Seeds of Trees. The Biblical teaching of the Mustard Seed, that grows into the Tree of Great Faith. As all Seeds hold the future's forests and life, which is why Native People are encouraged and have been collecting and preserving Seeds, preserving our Children's future.

The average tree, places approximately 250 gallons of water into the sky daily, holding "up the sky". They are the Pillars of Life and have been given Great Purpose. They share their "breath" so we might live. Trees and Plants are the basis of animal and human life, containing a Selfless Spirit. They give more to life than Mankind ever could. No Trees, No Sky, Floods on Earth and more suffering every where! We need the Trees to Live.

All Trees contain the spiritual knowledge of all the People of the World. This knowledge is Sacred Knowledge, sacred to everyone. Spiritual Beliefs are supposed to be protected under the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of Rights and Freedom, in Canada. Fighting to save the Trees to Preserve Life is a conviction of All First Nations People. We urge all Nations to Unite to actively save these Sacred Beings. Contact All Tribal Nations the World over to write letters of support containing the Spiritual Teachings, your People were given through the Spirit of the Tree. Write letters, file an injuction to save our Sacred Outdoor Cathedrals, help to establish in law, the Trees right to life and ensure the future through life. There should be a legal basis established to protect your Spiritual Rights/Rites and Beliefs. We cannot afford to continue to loose more of our loved ones through greed and in the name of progress. Our Children's lives and our Future depends on our actions.

Knowing even a small amount of the Sacred Teachings held by the Spirit of the Tree, should move everyone to Act in Love. Please help the Trees NOW before it is too late!

All those arrested and protesting to protect Trees and Forests, are People of Courage and Conviction. They deserve much respect and support. Please help those that are helping us.

Chi Meegwetch(Thank You) to the Activists!

In the Spirit of Sharing,

Del Ashkewe (Immortal Thunder) & Paula Johnstone (Lightening Woman)

Action Alert!!!

The Harris Government Plans to Clearcut Ontario! The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is currently developing forest management guidelines which would introduce the ludicrous notion that clearcuts emulate natural forest fires. By using the analogy of wildfire, these guidelines could pave the way for clearcuts as large as 10,000 ha across Ontario’s vast boreal forest.The Draft Fire Simulation Guidelines are now posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for public comment. See www.eco.on.ca

For assistance in reviewing the Draft Fire Simulation Guidelines or to receive a copy of the Peacefuls Parks discussion paper, Natural Fires vs Clearcuts, please contact:

Peaceful Parks Coalition, P.O. Box 326, Station B, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2W2, 416 537-3212 Email: ppc@canoemail.com

Unfortunately, in 1999 the Sacred Mendota Oaks were cut down and Mankind seems to have lost their reason. However, maybe we can learn and save other trees...before they are all lost and we with them. For another Seed teaching, go to the Karma Page.

Mendota Sacred Sites

Freenet News

STOP 55

Occupation of Highway 55

Highway 55