A Winter Letter from Charlie True
(Charlie crossed into the spirit world during the full moon of summer solstice June 2016. His words still carry much wisdom and love) Shared by his wife and partner, Rhonda Besaw. Wliwni nisiwi nidôbak - thank you both friends.
I know of many members of our tribal family who are at this time feeling the pain of loss, illness, a major transitional event in their lives, or sharing in the pain of their loved ones. You should all know that you need not feel alone. I encourage you to reach out to one another and the elders you may confide in; make a call, email or visit with those you trust to listen responsibly. You may find more understanding of what you’re going through than you knew existed. We are above all a family, who should be caring for one another as best we can. It’s our way. It always has been.
Most of us humans tend to be more contemplative during the winter period, and use the time to do some reassessing of ourselves, which causes us to look back. I’ve learned a few things recently which I think it’s time to share, not so much to serve a personal need in this context but because I believe it may be helpful to someone at this time. Some of us may come to realize that in our human interrelationships we’ve been operating from a storehouse of collected pain. Old hurts carried into the present. We’re carrying emotional baggage that contains concealed weapons that we didn’t know were there, and that can take us by surprise. And they hurt us and those we most love. What we perceive to be a deep and committed love can actually have fish hooks attached. Maybe this winter will be the time for courage; to painfully identify and revisit the past events that hurt us and be able to forgive others (and maybe most importantly ourselves) and put them behind us once and for all. Then we can move forward cleaner and better able to tend to the responsibilities that are given to us. Our community will be strengthened as a result. This is where an understanding, compassionate friend who listens can be a truly valuable gift.
There is also an unlimited spiritual power and strength available to us. And ancestral knowledge. The only limitations on it are those we impose upon ourselves. I look at it this way: We have thousands of years of ancestral blood running through our veins. Just imagine the number of people over the centuries who were biologically involved in bringing us here. I believe we carry at least one drop of blood from each of them, and that in that blood is contained a cumulative wisdom. We have everything we need within us to make a vital, personal connection to the source of all creative energy: the Creator. The ancestral spirits are waiting to help us with this; all we have to do is ask. What do you suppose was the source of their wisdom?
I believe at the same time that we have inherited a cumulative anger and pain arising from our more recent history; that is, all of those efforts to obliterate us and our native spirituality that’s grounded in our special relationship to Mother Earth. This history is still being acted out. But this anger can be converted to positive behavior. It can provide the motivation to create healthier circumstances for future generations who will keep our fires. Listen to the songs that Marge Bruchac has made from this.
I believe our ability to properly care for ourselves, love others responsibly, work for the well-being of our families and our people generally, depends directly on the degree to which we become spiritually grounded, connected, as individuals. We can and should seek out teachers to guide us, prod us, turn us around to face the path, but they can’t give us spirituality. That can only happen within ourselves, in our own unique awakening process. For me, the simple reaching out is the most effective. Pressing tobacco to Mother Earth, palm down, (maybe with a loved one) is a simple personal ceremony. When deep snow is on the ground, releasing it to the winter wind from a doorway, letting it find it’s own way, is simple. But these are examples of a means to begin connecting. Other things may come into your heart that are yours alone. Our community will be strengthened by it.
I was present at a talk by David Gehoe, a Micmac conductor of the shake tent ceremony; when he asked for questions at the end of his presentation. A person who I knew had been associated with an Abenaki community that was experiencing some turmoil asked: “What do you do to heal a community that is tearing itself apart?” Without a second’s hesitation David answered: “First you heal yourself.”
Whenever I reflect on what will best serve the needs of our tribal family at this time, I keep getting led back to these roots, begin-at-the-beginning, individual spiritual connection theme. It’s the primary source of our present and future strength. Begin with ourselves, asking for the Creator’s help; the rest will follow.
Love and wishes for happy new beginnings to all.
Charlie True