Today
we learn of
great
contributions of
women to our
enduring
culture.
Throughout the
generations they
have played
major roles. As
in White Buffalo
Calf Woman of
the Lakota
stories, copper
woman of the
northwest
coastal regions,
the Huichol
woman who first
received the
vision of the
peyote medicine.
In
my Dine'
teachings we are
told of White
Shell Woman of
the east,
Turquoise Woman
south, Abalone
Woman west and
Jet Woman north,
each
representing a
stage of female
life.
So
it is we have
honored our
woman teachers,
warriors and
healers.
Grandmother
Moon - Earth
Woman, sustain
and guide us.
Young women,
renew and
restore your
relationships,
for as the
wisdom comes to
us from the
Cheyenne people,
"No matter
how brave it's
warriors nor how
strong it's
weapons, a
nation is not
conquered until
the hearts of
it's women are
on the ground
."
You
are our
stronghold, the
enduring
headwaters of
the generations.
.
Arlie
Upfront
In
most cases, the
women were
actually in
charge of
gathering
materials and
then building
the homes for
everyone. They
maintained their
homes’ roof,
and created new
houses for
tribes to live
in. This is an
astonishing
achievement,
particularly for
the women of
their time. The
men knew that
women were the
source of life,
and provided a
feeling of
strength and
consistency to
their lives. The
women in Native
American tribes
often helped
their men to
hunt down
buffalo. Then,
when the buffalo
were harvested,
the women were
responsible for
skinning,
cutting, and
cooking the
animal. They
also gathered
firewood,
cooked, and
repaired
clothing and
shoes.
But
Native American
women were not
simply
homemakers. In
fact, they
served a great
deal of
important
purposes and
were essential
to the tribe in
other ways as
well. Women made
tools and
weapons out of
animal bone,
which were
absolutely
necessary for
everyone’s’
survival. Not
only was there
medicine men in
the tribes but
there were
medicine women
as well. In
fact, many
Native American
tribes believed
that the women
had more healing
power and were
able to soothe
ill souls with
their chants and
connection to
the spirit
world. Medicine
women gathered
herbs to create
healing
medicines for
those who fell
sick within the
tribe.
Additionally,
most Native
American women
were master
craftsman who
made beautiful
blankets,
baskets, and
pottery. Jewelry
was another
favorite. There
was a feeling of
mutual respect
between the men
and women of the
tribes. They
cared for their
children and
husbands, just
like the modern
woman does
today. Without
their help, it
would have been
very difficult
for the Native
Americans to
survive.
Cherokee
girls learned by
example how to
be warriors and
healers. They
learned to weave
baskets, tell
stories, trade,
and dance. They
became mothers
and wives, and
learned their
heritage. The
Cherokee learned
to adapt, and
the women were
the core of the
Cherokee.
"Mother,
show me how to
love,
Beyond my human
fear:
Teach me all the
joys of life
Beyond the veil
of tears.
Let me find the
pleasure of
A lover's gentle
hands:
Let me know the
wisdom of
Respect without
demands.
Oh, Keeper of
Forgiveness,
Teach me how to
see
Beyond the petty
judgments,
Supporting human
dignity.
I will learn
your Medicine
Of Mother,
lover, friend,
Teaching others
how to love
And broken
hearts to mend.
Mother, teach me
how to heal
The feelings
inside of me:
Teach me how to
respect all life
With burgeoning
humility.
Show me the path
away from abuse,
Where everything
sings of life,
Where heartache
is just a memory
Of ancient,
human strife.
Let my spirit be
healed
Until dying
holds no fear,
Where rebirth is
welcomed,
Bringing me
joyous tears.
These are the
things that I
desire,
For I want to
truly know,
The pathways and
healing passage
Through the dark
night of the
soul.
Thank
you, Mother, for
teaching me
To lift my heart
in praise,
Filling my
spirit with
gladness
For the
blessings of the
Beauty Way.
You have taught
me how to sing,
How to rejoice,
dance and drum,
And how to sing
my gratitude
For the
abundance that
will come.
You have shown
me the magic of
A change in the
mind and heart,
An attitude made
of wisdom
That celebration
of life imparts.
I sing the truth
of thankfulness
When I greet
Grandfather Sun,
Then send my
love to Mother
Earth
For the life
force that makes
us one."
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Girl - a
ge gu tsa Young
Lady - a-ta Woman
- l ge, l ge ga Mother
- e tsi Grandmother
- e li si Elder
Woman - 1-ga-yv-li-ga
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Writings
by Arlie Upfront and Jamie Sams respecfively
Song
- Golden Feather - Robbie Roberson
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