John Scott Richardson shares a Creation Story video (22:18). on This Indigenous Life during the last part of the pandemic in 2021.
Enjoy this inspirational singing and story with many valuable life lessons.
I opened with a traditional healing song and followed it with a Cherokee Story about the first fire that was shared with me by Mr. Lloyd Arnech (Eastern Cherokee).
In Native American culture the animals are our relatives, our teachers. I describe how the Council of Animals were trying to warm themselves during the winter. Lightning was sent by the Creator to a tree and in the hollows, an ember burned. It was important to retrieve that ember and keep the fire burning but, many animals could not retrieve the ember; except for a tiny water spider.
The fire had a glow to it and the earth was so cold. A council of animals decided. The owl tried to help, but the smoke was too strong and harmed its voice, so it couldn’t bring back the ember. Next, the bear tried, but the smoke covered it in soot, which is why it became known as the black bear. Lastly the littlest of beings was the water spider. It said it would go and retrieve the fire. The water spider skipped on the tension of the water to the tree. It spun a web, scooped up some mud, and made a small bowl. The spider placed a piece of the ember in it and swam back to the animals. We are told this one of the ways the Cherokee people learned how to work the clay to make pottery.
There are many lessons to be learned in Indigenous stories. They can teach us how to live and work together for a sustainable life. Fire lives inside of all of us, like water and air
A spark of it is in all of us…that light, that divine spark energy. it is what created us.
Each day is a challenge for us, but, every day we have to move forward. We must follow the 7 Generations model. We stand in the middle with 7 generations in the past and 7 generations in the future. We must always walk in a mindful and respectful way with good intentions.
We are the 7th generation despite the boarding schools, wars, famine, disease, and genocidal policies, WE ARE STILL HERE!
Through stories, songs, and prayers our sacred mission is to bring healing to our people. During the first fire, we saw everyone as equal. Things are being unearthed; I like to think of the words; I can choose to be either wounded of become wiser. We always have a choice.
Each human being should increase their level of consciousness and we have to be there for those who are not as far along. It is a time of learning and gratitude.