EXCITING THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AS A RESULT OF CONTACTS WE HAVE MADE! On July 15th we will be meeting with the Tribal Council of the Grand Traverse Band of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, to search for opportunities to reach out to others to create a more detailed understanding of the complexity of our human surroundings. The Seventh Fire Prophecy of the Anishinaabe offers a compelling story that must be told. I have been overwhelmed by the Seventh Prophecy and how close it connects to the main point of my book. Until we are able to connect the wisdom and understanding of the detail and complexity of NATURE to the scientific knowledge of forest land management, we will continue on the path of creating an environment that will be unable to sustain our own species. The solution is to reach back and resurrect the wisdom about NATURE, our Native American ancestors were required to develop, so that they could survive as a part of Nature. The Seventh Prophecy states; "The new people will retrace their steps to find the treasures that had been left along the trail". "Stories that had been lost will be returned to them".
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Time to provide update. If you have read my book, it is apparent I have a strong belief in the need to link the wisdom our Native American ancestors developed about their surrounding, Nature, to the science of forestry. Throughout my career I have had this feeling that the answers to future forest land management was not to be found in new innovations, but rather in resurrecting the wisdom of the past developed by a society that lived as a part of Nature and was required to understand the complexity and details of their surroundings. Understanding how we are closely connected to all other living organisms and the magnitude of relationships that are constantly at work within the various forest communities, is essential prior to applying the technology of forest science.
I was recently introduced to the Fire Prophecies of the Anishinaabe Nation and could not believe the connections these age-old prophecies have with the concepts of my book. According to the prophecy, many many years ago seven prophets appeared to the people of the Anishinaabe Nation. The Anishinaabe Nation were the people who lived along the Great Salt Water of the East and are today known as the Ottawa, Potawatomi and Ojibway or Chippewa, today. The people of these tribes believe the first six prophecies have been fulfilled and now is the time of the Seventh Fire. I was unaware of these prophecies until Iris and I had the opportunity to met with some members of the Grand Traverse Band of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians last fall. Following the presentation we gave on the book, we were, privileged to participate in a discussion on the material presented. During the discussion, one tribal member, who we have become friends with, mentioned the Anishinaabe Fire Prophecies. Iris picked up on Hank's words and when we got home I immediately did some research on the prophecies. The Seventh Prophecy caught my attention and, I believe, offers a compelling opportunity for us to work together, as brothers and sisters, to benefit our future on this planet. Basically, the Seventh prophet said that there would come a time when the waters had been so poisoned that the animals and plants would fall sick and begin to die. Much of the forests and prairies would be gone and the air would begin to lose the power of life. The way of the mind brought by the white man would bring great danger to the whole earth. When this occurs, a new people will emerge from the clouds of illusion. They will find trust in the way of all things, the circle, and t use their power and strength with wisdom and gentleness to bring harmony and balance. When the Eagle returns, de-listed in 2oo7, they will soar with the Eagle bringing the wisdom of the Spirit. The light-skinned people will be given the choice between two paths. If their choose the right path the Seventh Fire will light the Eight Fire, the final fire of brotherhood and sisterhood. The people will open their mind and heart like the turtle who offered his back upon which to build a new earth. If they choose the wrong path the people of the Earth will experience much suffering and death. IT IS TIME FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER TO CARE FOR OUR SURROUNDINGS, NATURE! |
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