Through songs and artifacts, Nipmuc tribe revives a long-lost culture
Friends, this appeared in today's Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/06/members_of_nipmuc_tribe_look_to_keep_their_culture_alive/
In addition to the link, I'd like to share my response to the story:
I am delighted that the Nipmuc people are reclaiming their identity and strengthening their community. I don’t know this to be true, but if, as a reader here claims, a casino developer played a role in prompting the Nipmucs to reflect on their history and take steps to revive their language, their music, their lifeways, and their sense of self, then from my point of view, the developer’s intervention was a gift. And not just to the Nipmucs, but to us all, because as many of us are beginning to see, all life is connected, and when one of us suffers, we all suffer. The collective suffering might not be readily visible; it might afflict society at large on the psychological and spiritual levels. But it is there.
And the Indigenous peoples of the Americas (indeed, worldwide) have suffered. We would all do well to acknowledge the events of the last 500 years from the Native peoples’ perspective, to feel compassion, and then to move forward together. We can do this by allowing each other to simply be, and by celebrating what distinguishes us as well as what connects us. While we’re at it, let’s support each other as we seek our individual and greater potentials. It is time to heal.
In closing, let me say to my Nipmuc brothers and sisters, Mohtompan wunne. Toh kuttinuckketeam?
Peace to all –
Lee Phenner
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/06/members_of_nipmuc_tribe_look_to_keep_their_culture_alive/
In addition to the link, I'd like to share my response to the story:
I am delighted that the Nipmuc people are reclaiming their identity and strengthening their community. I don’t know this to be true, but if, as a reader here claims, a casino developer played a role in prompting the Nipmucs to reflect on their history and take steps to revive their language, their music, their lifeways, and their sense of self, then from my point of view, the developer’s intervention was a gift. And not just to the Nipmucs, but to us all, because as many of us are beginning to see, all life is connected, and when one of us suffers, we all suffer. The collective suffering might not be readily visible; it might afflict society at large on the psychological and spiritual levels. But it is there.
And the Indigenous peoples of the Americas (indeed, worldwide) have suffered. We would all do well to acknowledge the events of the last 500 years from the Native peoples’ perspective, to feel compassion, and then to move forward together. We can do this by allowing each other to simply be, and by celebrating what distinguishes us as well as what connects us. While we’re at it, let’s support each other as we seek our individual and greater potentials. It is time to heal.
In closing, let me say to my Nipmuc brothers and sisters, Mohtompan wunne. Toh kuttinuckketeam?
Peace to all –
Lee Phenner
Comment
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Comment by Carol Petersen on October 25, 2009 at 7:26pm -
I feel the light of a another realm so available so attentive to every living being exponentially.
I believe it can take one person to change the frequency of fear of the entire cosmos including our habitat in which our children can continue to live in peace and harmony. I know this is happening now.
I have hope for the earth. I feel her consciousness the sum of all elements. The animals are our allies and I feel for them on the same journey as mankind soulular evolution. We are visitors endured by our own bodies, we endure the earth. Something grand is happening. I feel it. I feel the light. Yet this light requires devotion just as we are also to have a receptive devotion to the earth.
Carol
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Comment by Lee Phenner on October 24, 2009 at 4:35pm -
Dear Carol,
I can't tell you how your words warmed my heart. Thank you so much. I am honored to feel this shared voice and vision! I see your point: She is bearing the brunt of the more fearful aspects of the collective unconscious, then? I feel that Mother Earth has endured much, but ultimately she is renewing herself. You feel this hope, this light?
Love and peace to you, also --
In gratitude,
Lee
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Comment by Carol Petersen on October 23, 2009 at 11:49am
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Dearest Lee,
I stand with humility to have felt the beauty of your words. Ours is the same voice word for word
You said, The collective suffering might not be readily visible; it might afflict society at large on the psychological and spiritual levels. But it is there.
Yes it is there and where injustice reigns weather calamity pours. The weather is the elemental collective of the unconscious. And global warming is the answer to our prayers. Where there is light there is life.
Rise to higher ground
and love to you
Carol
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