My great Grandmother was Cherokee. It was not until I was older that I was able to realize how much my beliefs related to my Cherokee heritage. I have always had a strong respect for the Earth and all of her creatures. I am also an animal rights activist. Sometimes this confuses people since the Native American way of life involves animals. There are humane ways to still keep traditions without harming animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife has a policy to provide feathers and parts from animals which were found dead or taken illegal by others to Native Americans for use in ceremonies. This allows the traditions to go on without bringing harm to any of the animals. In the words of fellow activist and Native American: "I don't think it is necessary to kill any of our animal relations to preserve the ceremonies that honor them. All cultures and people evolve, but that doesn't mean that one has to lose one's cultural identity; it just means changing the context of it."-Rod Coronado

The part of the Native American spirituality that is so important to me in the respect for all things. The Earth, the air, the water, the plants and all creatures receive the same respect. All things are connected and without one the earth would slowly die. That is why it is so important to not just worry about one aspect of rights *I.E. animal rights, human rights* but to feel that they are all connected and all deserve equality.

Since I was a small child I have always had respect for everything. From the ants that crawl on the ground to the eagle that soars in the sky. I always felt a spiritual connection with the Earth. It was one that I never could explain to anyone. I always felt so different. As I got older I started to accept the visions and signs that I received. I just knew that they were important and that they were part of something bigger than I could understand at the time.

Now that I am an adult and have had time to seriously quest and explore my Native American spirituality I have seen the paths and messages that the ancient ones are trying to tell us.

Things that I Have Learned

I have noticed that with some people you can just see their spirits. They just are so obvious. You can see all of the life and all of the wisdom in their eyes. These people are not always easy to find now a days. I have found that alot of people deny their spirits. They do not believe or do not even follow their spirits inner voice anymore. I think it is so sad that people tosay are able to block out such things and pretend they do not exist. If we would all just open ourselves up and take the time to commune with Nature, the ancient ones and our spirits people would hear and know all of the things that are necessary.

" If a man loses everything and goes back and looks carefully for it he will find it, and that is what the Indians are doing now when they ask you to give them the things that were promised them in the past; and I do not consider that they should be treated like beasts, and that is the reason I have grown up with the feelings I have...I feel that my country has gotten a bad name, and I want it to have a good name; it used to have a good name; and I sit sometimes and wonder who it is that has given it a bad name." - SITTING BULL

Some of the Native American stories and beliefs on Creation.

Quotes from some Native Americans.

Native American Mailing Lists
Birth Totem Animals
Native American Story Circle

...You have stories to tell and that is what will keep the memory of a great people alive. Pass the stories to your children. Teach them who, where and what their people were. Take time to search your ancestry. Remember the past they took and have patience. Stay in tune with your feelings and be strong in your search. Trace your walk, feel satisfaction in knowing the end of the rainbow you have looked for can be found at the toe of your moccasin after realizing who we are and what we have.

John "Eagle Spirit" Campbell. Chief, Cherokee Elders Council, Houston, Tx.

Wintu Woman, 19th Century "When we Indians kill meat, we eat it all up. When we dig roots, we make little holes. When we build houses, we make little holes. When we burn grass for grasshoppers, we don't ruin things. We shake down acorns and pine nuts. We don't chop down the trees. We only use dead wood. But the white people plow up the ground, pull down the trees, kill everything. ... the White people pay no attention. ...How can the spirit of the earth like the White man? ... everywhere the White man has touched it, it is sore."

Member of the Keepers of Earth Medicine Web Ring

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