Despair, depression, anxiety, escape or hope

Society today is rampant with despair, depression and anxiety. The pressures of survival are becoming harder and harder to bear.

When life's burdens become too great, escape through alcohol or drugs can seem like the easiest way out. This is a tragedy in the world at large, where drug and alcohol use is out of control. The solution is to change society to give people back hope, pride and a sense of connection to Spirit--to change people's lives so that they no longer need to escape.

Cultural destruction

Here on and near the reservations the problems are compounded by the government's attempt to destroy the culture of Native Americans. According to the book, "The Navajo," by Clyde Kluckhorn and Dorthea Leighton, it began in 1870 with the attempt to weaken the cultural strengths of the native nations by removing the children from their families and placing them in boarding schools. Traditions and language were forbidden for several generations. Natives were forced into white man's clothing and his religious practices.

The fear that drove the decisions to implement this cultural destruction was misplaced, as is the lingering racial anger these practices have generated. The bitterness that exists in the hearts and minds of many natives toward "White Man" did indeed have a cause. One unfortunate side effect of this is a general refusal to consider any idea from any one of light skin color.

Full circle

Through all of this, many natives have retained or revived their cultural traditions and practices. It has come full circle, with people of all cultures becoming interested in the native ways.

The code talkers helped this nation win a war. Perhaps sharing of love and respect for the Earth and creation that is the root of native religions can turn the tide of society from greed and abuse, to respect and proper management. Where can anyone of any race turn to learn how to hear creation and the many aspects of it that speak to people every day?

Long ago when medicine people first began to speak with the spirits of the land and sky, different natures, powers and attributes of the four directions were a natural consequence of location. If these conversations took place in a region where desert and harsh conditions lay in a particular direction, then the attributes of that direction reflected this. The same is true of proximity to lakes, rivers or lush forests and so on.

Some of my discussions with a Lakota medicine person have revolved around this. My argument is that no one has it wrong. If they are not harming someone else, and if they are not forcing their way upon another being, then their religion is valid. We all need to honor the possibility that another tribe's or people's practices are as real as our own.

Hope is the first step needed in the changes that must come about to conquer despair-- if one can wake up and know that a job is coming, that reform is taking place to ensure self-reliance and the pride that comes with it possible.

To know that one's property, family and religious values are honored if not understood is critical to all our lives. These are the things that this country was founded upon. Yet so many times in the past exceptions have been made because one people was "better" or more worthy of basic respect than others. In the mind and eyes of the Great Father, we are all equal.

Turning to income from gambling seems to me to be the wrong path. Years ago I wrote a letter to this paper with some ideas on economic growth and development here on the Navajo and Hopi nations.

Water issues

Water was and still is the key to most economic growth. By managing water and using it wisely the nations could develop farming of corn to process into natural corn chips, breed and sell range chickens, buffalo meat and many other sought after products. Major store chains would snap up these products so long as supply was consistent.

Not only would this bring more industry and pride back onto the reservations, but these types of products would also promote health in those who consume them. Natural products such as these would sell for a premium.

The packaging for these products can be used to promote tourism on the reservations with photos and stories about a revolving series of places and people. This would help native crafts people sell their wares and bring money into hotels, guide services and restaurants just to name a few. The economic benefits are potentially phenomenal.

The only question that remains is will the tribal elders hear the words of a man whose skin is white. I have been a student of Native American ways for more than 30 years. My first teacher on this path was a Hopi woman named Oceania Fastwolf. I have also had the honor to spend time and do ceremony with Navajo, Apache and Sioux. Only after both my parents died and I had been on this path for more than 20 years did I find out that I have Native American blood.

Are my words and ideas good enough to stand on their own merits? My ideas and thoughts on the Sacred Mountain published here generated thousands of letters, yet the local mainstream papers will not run my letters. Perhaps, I am too red skinned inside for them. Are my words here today to be ignored simply because my skin is too white?

My life like many of yours has been and is a struggle, yet every day I thank Great Father for the dawn. I speak to the four directions, the powers of Earth and Sky. Anyone can feel Creator anywhere, any time. Just relax and quiet your mind. Open your hands and raise them palm upward toward the sky. You will feel a tingling in your fingers. This is Great Spirit life force, which surrounds us all everywhere we go.

It is we who have forgotten how to listen. Creation speaks to us always.

Never will Great Spirit council cause harm to another human, because we are all part of Great Spirit. Each of us is an aspect of creation with individuality and personality deserving respect.

Are we ready to help others see that we are parts of larger pieces, each like the mountain having individuality, personality and spirit?

(Richard Allen Clayton is a freelance writer who resides in Ash Fork.)

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