Live Free: Allegiance to Gratitude

Earlier this fall, I came across the book Braiding Sweetgrass. It was the book for me to devour as we were just getting settled in this new world of spring water, mountain forest, and quiet, simple living like we've never known. I was so moved by Robin Wall Kimmerer's words and her message. The gratitude for Mother Earth that she conveyed so poetically touched me so deeply. Finally, a writer speaking my soul language - a language I had no idea how to express! Sometimes, our ancient wisdom gets buried beneath the modern expectations of who we should be and of how we should be in this world. I feel grateful that in my case, the connection to my ancient self has been nurtured just enough to survive all of my 40 years. Those longings, though rarely the center of my attention have whispered to me long enough and just loud enough that I have never forgotten them entirely.

What struck me most of all while reading Braiding Sweetgrass was Kimmerer's message of plants as teachers. The idea that we humans do not dominate this planet but instead we are students of the ancient plant and animal elders. In one of my favorite essays in the book, "Allegiance to Gratitude" Kimmerer describes a tradition of gratitude practiced by the Onadaga tribe. Each gathering begins with the Thanksgiving Address. Unlike Americans who grow up to memorize and recite the Pledge of Allegiance (to a flag), tribe members grow up learning to recite a pledge of gratitude to the natural world. There are many versions of the Thanksgiving Address. Some versions are lengthy while others are condensed. They are spoken out loud at the beginning of gatherings and meetings. The Thanksgiving Address is meant to unify people as a way of agreeing on the common denominator that connects us all.

Kimmerer ponders, "What would it be like to be raised on gratitude, to speak to the natural world as a member of the democracy of species, to raise a pledge of interdependence? No declarations of political loyalty are required, just a response to a repeated question: 'Can we agree to be grateful for all this is given?'".

In what ways would our world be different if perhaps we thought about asking before taking from our beloved Earth. Are we considering the future generation's well being? Do we value clean water and air that nourishes our body? Will there be any forest to lose and find ourselves in? What about our oceans so vast and deep? Will the waters continue to support reefs and whales and all those in between?

Oftentimes, I awake in the middle of the night. In this new home, I am tucked away into a forested cove. Right here, right now, I am safe, so it seems, from some of the horrors that threaten our world but it is all temporary. Those moments when my eyes open in the pitch darkness with only the tiny jewels of stars twinkling in the sky far above me, I feel at once a sense of deep belonging - held yet free. The sun will continue to shine. The moon will rise. The stars will twinkle. There is magic that can't be touched. And I pray that before it's too late, we humans learn to ask before touching what is within our reach and to take only what we need.

Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address

Greetings to the Natural World

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms‐ waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds‐from the smallest to the largest‐we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Alone time, mindfulness, moldy windows...this and that...