Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

December 30, 2008

Honoring Floyd Westerman and the Miwok Youths

Listen to Censored Blog Talk Radio
Honoring the land, honoring the youths
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell

Article and photos by Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/


Censored Blog Talk Radio offers a tribute to Floyd Red Crow Westerman, sharing his songs and words. The show is also a tribute to the Miwok youth singers, with a special message on the Longest Walk for respect for Mother Earth from the Six Nations on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol.
Westerman speaks on the Spirit World and what is happening to Mother Earth.
"America is dying from within, because they forgot the instructions of how to live on earth," Westerman said. He said without the understanding of the spritiual reality of living on earth, "It is likely you will not make it."
"We are here on earth only a few winters, then we go to the Spirit World."
Westerman describes how the United States is creating monstrous conglomerates to facilitate energy for America, polluting sacred water and sacred mountains to do it.
America is destroying itself, but Native people will live on.
"We will outlive their ways. Our ways will outlive America's ways. It is because we regard the earth as sacred," Westerman says in the series of recordings.
"Our Mother is a sacred entity."
Westerman said it is important to educate people that the people coming across the border are Indian people. Speaking on broken treaties, Westerman said, "The United States of America is an occupation of Indian land."
With warnings for America and its spiritual state, he said, "You shouldn't let the dollar control what you are doing."
"America, you won't be here long."
Westerman said great changes are coming and when one looks at evolution, one knows, "It is time."
Censored News also honors the Native American youths on the Longest Walk, with traditional songs and conversations with the Miwok youths from Shingle Springs, California, Daniel, Junior and Vinny, with Everett, Washo. The Miwok youths sing with clapper sticks made from elderberry branches.
On the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol at Harrisburg, Mohawk and Tuscarora welcome the Longest Walk to the east with songs and prayers. Jerry McDonald, Mohawk, speaks of respecting and honoring Mother Earth and of universal peace. Longest Walk Carl Bad Bear Sampson also speaks at the gathering, where the Pennsylvania governor's representative heralds the Long Walk for honoring the earth and protecting sacred sites.
Longest Walk recordings by Earthcycles on the Longest Walk.
Listen to Floyd Westerman and Miwok youths at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell
November radio show, including AIM West and Alcatraz programs:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Brenda-Norrell/page/1
Photos: Floyd Westerman with the International Indian Treaty Council at the Indigenous Peoples Border Summit of the Americas in San Xavier, Arizona, on the Tohono O'odham Nation in 2006. Photo Brenda Norrell.
Photo 2: Daniel and Junior on the Longest Walk in Eureka, Nevada, after singing Miwok songs for Western Shoshone Carrie Dann in the spring of 2008. Photo Brenda Norrell
Photo 3: Vinny, Miwok walker and runner, at the Indigenous Environmental Network's annual Honoring Mother Earth Conference, held this year on Western Shoshone land in Southfork, Nevada, in July 2008. Photo Brenda Norrell.

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