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Some people carry very heavy burdens. At some time in life, every person is haunted by deeds done and words said that were later regretted a thousand times over. Often, people beat themselves up and live with regret for years. Guilt, shame and fear are the worst burdens that anyone can carry. I have heard people say, "I just can't forgive myself." This is an interesting phrase and if we really examine it, we would understand that it is a ludicrous thought. We never read in...
As I take a look at what our spiritual ancestor Paul said in his written letter to the local church community, I see some wisdom that can help us heal our broken hearts. So many things happen throughout our lives that cause us grief, loss and trauma, at so many various levels, that if we don't find ways to heal our broken hearts, we will find ourselves going down a path that we will regret. We can all tell stories of heartache in our own lives and the lives of our family...
"Momma, no!" The child's wails rose above the din in the store: Mothers and children were everywhere, shopping for school clothes. Small children, too little to be involved in the hunt, ran amuck between display racks. Long lines stretched outside the fitting rooms, where impatient shoppers waited their turn to try on clothes. I understand a mother's frustration over a task that must be done. The young boy's voice increased in volume, "But I don't want to!" I couldn't hear...
• WARN Co-Founder • Civil Rights Activist • Nurse When officials in the Catholic grade school where Lorelei DeCora was enrolled tried unsuccessfully to sever her ties to her American Indian traditions, their actions no doubt fueled DeCora's early attraction to the 1970s Red Power Movement. She would become one of the youngest to serve as board member for the American Indian Movement (AIM). Born on the Winnebago Reservation in Nebraska, Lorelei DeCora is a descendant of the Min...
I have recently thought a lot about light, water and seeds that God created. But I've also begun to see another pattern. It took me years to see the pattern. Even as I studied God's Word and linked it together with scientific facts, I failed to see the big picture until God focused the truth for me. Here is what He showed me: Genesis 1:1 tells us that God created the heavens and the earth. John 1:3 reveals that Jesus is the Creator. The One who perfumed the flowers, flavored...
Just to let you know that there are a few men in here with me that see the difference between mass media news and your newspaper, and they all came to the same conclusion. And that is that the Indian Life newspaper is all positive actions, nothing being reported about any harm to others or applying fear to the reader. It is unique to them and as for me, being in prison since the age of 19 now, all I've seen is what the worst a man can inflict on another. So to be introduced...
For the last couple years, my wife, Milly, and I have been involved with what are called "grief camps." This is rapidly becoming a real focal point on our schedule, one of those, "I don't want to miss this for anything" type events! It's where people who've lost someone close to them in the last few months can come and find some hope and healing-a five-day reprieve from the storms and pressure of their everyday journeys. As we get to know those who've come, we try to provide...
There are times When...I can feel... The blood coursing Through my veins As... I behold The many injustices Suffered... Injustices...still being suffered Within...the tribes In the forgotten worlds Of depression... Where...inner turmoils Instilled hatreds... And mistrusts Haunt...the survivors And the cultures Which... Are beginning to... Flourish anew And it's here... That I sit In deep Prayer And contemplation A warrior...yes... Called...and named Humbled...before... The...
Question: I am a First Nations person who was taken from my parents as a child and placed in a non-native foster home. I am an adult now and want to know who my biological parents are, if I have any siblings, and I want learn about my culture. I have mixed feelings on this and wonder if it would be a good thing to reconnect with my family? Nettie Flett There are many stories in God's Word that can help guide our thoughts, emotions, our hearts and comfort us. There are stories...
One morning, I was taken to the phlebotomist. My doctor had ordered blood tests, and three full tubes of blood were being demanded of me. My arms' veins cooperated nicely, the process didn't take long, and I put on a brave front. Thirty minutes later I was back in my cell, reading my Bible. As I read, my focus was off. My mind was not retaining anything. I found myself reading and rereading the same lines. I closed my eyes, thinking of the three tubes of blood and wondering if...
A couple years back, about a week before Easter, a fellow musician shared with me this viewpoint on Easter Sunday. I’d like to pass it on to you. Read on. He said, “I don’t call it Easter Sunday anymore, I call it Resurrection Sunday. Why? Because every time I say that, I’m telling whoever’s listening that Jesus is Risen—that He’s Alive!” Just by naming the day in that manner, he was testifying to everyone in his world that he believed in a Savior who was Alive. After mulling...
I’m currently incarcerated at Algoma Treatment Remand Centre. I have said the prayer in the Indian Life newspaper. I have surrendered my life over to Jesus. Thank you. I come from Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways, located in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada. My grandmother and also my mother have been through residential school. I’m part of the intergenerational breakdown from the outcome. But I have found Jesus in my cell—your newspaper has shown me that there are other Native Americans in Indian Country that belie...
"Fifteen years ago I became a Christian, but I fell back into drinking and other things about a year ago and dropped out of church. I am sorry for what I have done, and I want to start over. Do you think it is possible for me to get back in fellowship at our Native church and serve the Lord again? I don't know where to begin." It's encouraging to hear of your concern and desire today. Your changed mind reminds me of the Prodigal Son. He had a change of mind and considered his...
A friend of mine came into a drop-in center the other day waving an item in her arm and announcing that the new phone books were in. At that moment, another friend was reminded of a comedy movie in which actor Steve Martin's character showed a whole lot more excitement about the arrival of his phone book. I had to go to YouTube to watch the clip, since I wasn't familiar with the movie. In the scene, he jumped up and down excitedly as he had received his own copy of the...
It's the start of a New Year. A new beginning. New hope. Some people resolve to get some exercise-to start walking between the fridge and the couch, rather than using a scooter. Others ask, "What kind of person do I want to be by the end of the year?" This year I'm asking, "What kind of person do I not want to be? I think we've all met some people we don't want to become. Like the lady down the block who owns 49 ferrets and stands at her front window pointing her hair dryer...
I was not impressed; they looked like a bunch of small confused trees that planted themselves upside down with only gnarly roots sticking out. Even in winter, evergreens retain their beauty, and hardwoods stand as impressive sentinels. These misshapen little trees did not look like anything a person would choose for a garden; yet, these trees, known as vines, flourished in the vineyard. No one chose them for their beauty; they pruned them to produce abundant fruit. Jesus...
Cherokee Nation citizen Adrienne Lyle was born in Coupeville, Washington. She was reared on Whidbey Island, Washington on a small cattle ranch. In 2005 Lyle worked part-time with highly successful dressage rider Debbie McDonald at Peggy and Parry Thomas' River Grove Farm (Idaho). In 2006, Lyle advanced to fulltime assistant trainer. That was when she "met" Wizard, a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Weltmeyer purchased in the Netherlands as a five-year-old. At the River Grove...
Do you feel an unaccountable sense of heavy blues during the winter months? You just might be dealing with SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that displays a recurring seasonal pattern. In other words you tend to have it in certain months-usually fall and winter months-and it feels better or goes away during other months. According to American Family Physician, four to six percent of people have winter depression with another 10 to 20 percent experi...
WINNIPEG-We are pleased to bring back the popular column, "The Council Speaks." This column answers questions you have about faith and heritage. Send your questions to "The Council Speaks" at: Canada- Indian Life, P.O. Box 3765, Redwood, Post Office, Winnipeg MB R2W 3R6; or United States-Indian Life, Box 32, Pembina, ND 58271. Or email your questions to joanne.director@ indianlife.org Why is Christianity so important? Isn't just believing good enough? Yes, I believe...
My older brothers had a favorite Christmas tradition. They used to save up the cardboard tubes from rolls of wrapping paper and whap me with them Christmas Eve until my mother made them stop. Through the years, our Christmas traditions became less violent. They involved sleeping under the Christmas tree, watching Star Wars, making Norwegian lefsa and cramming our house with relatives on Christmas Eve to eat too much and retell stories of Christmas past. Around the world,...
I was in a junk store a few years ago, it's one of my favorite places to shop. I like used books, and sometimes I find an odd cup or old plate that catches my fancy. Everything in the store has been donated or thrown away by someone who no longer wanted it. I saw a small antique doll that had a rough life. The doll's dress was faded and torn and it was missing a leg. It was only a quarter and I felt sorry for it and decided to buy it, when I got to the checkout stand the clerk...
When we think about Native American fashion design, traditional aesthetics usually come to mind-intricate beading, fringe and feathers, silver and turquoise-elements that have deviated little over time. Taos Pueblo heritage designer and style-maker Patricia Michaels, however, has taken her edgy, sophisticated one-of-a-kind fashions into the mainstream. In spring 2012, the native of Taos, New Mexico gained national acknowledgment for her designs when she appeared on the...
Today I write this to offer my apologies for all the pain my people instilled upon yours (Native North Americans). Ninety percent of my friends are Native, as is my fiancé, and at this time I would like to offer my heart, my soul and my mind to the Creator and ask for forgiveness and a state of welcome by anyone who chooses to read this. This world, this land and all its creatures offer more than I could ever ask for and every time I learn more about what is done to you by...
I watched this year as the summer season morphed to fall. It happened quite abruptly as the September snow fell on the green leaves and grass of an ecosystem that wasn't quite ready for it! It looked like a battle between the trees trying desperately to stay alive and green, but the cold, white snow having none of that argument. Every party involved or watching knew who the ultimate winner would be. Hey, welcome to winter for a few months (before spring makes a comeback)!...
Finally! It looked like we were really going on vacation. My husband had finished his doctor appointments and felt fine for our first vacation since his cancer diagnosis. My son and I had taken time off work. My daughter had arranged to register for high school when she returned. So we gathered our clothes to leave the next morning. Then I got the message from Janie’s sister. Janie and I became friends during our Bible college days right after high school. Through the following decades, sometimes we saw each other more, a...
