When we reflect on the great tragedies unfolding, such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and the devastation occurring from hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, our hearts are naturally heavy with sadness. Yet, from the depth of our Indigenous spiritual understanding, we are reminded that death is not the end but a profound transformation.
The souls perishing in this ongoing deepening devastation did not simply vanish into the void. These souls returned to the embrace of our Creator, to the eternal realms prepared for them in the boundless worlds of Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit.
Many lodges in the spiritual world are prepared for a soul’s journey and station. Their departure from this world was but a doorway into another, a higher realm where they are embraced by the Great Mystery, finding solace, joy, and eternal life.
We must look beyond the veil of this material existence and realize that what may seem like a loss is, in truth, a return to the Source of all beings. These souls have journeyed to greater understanding and unity where the Creators surround them. In this, we find comfort, knowing that Wakan Tanka'Tanka's compassion is infinite.
As we remember them, we also honor our sacred responsibility to send forth prayers that their spirits may draw nearer to the Source, walking in peace and light along the paths that lead to the Great Spirit. This is how we remain connected to them, our ancestors, our relatives, who walk in the realms of the spiritual world. We, too, are reminded that our time here is short, and we are part of the larger circle of life. We will one day return to our eternal home, reuniting in harmony and love.
From this understanding of spiritual continuity, we are called to take positive action in this world, knowing that every soul is part of the sacred hoop of life. If we are to honor those who have passed, we must act to heal and restore Mother Earth's balance.
The time has come for humanity to rise above division, prejudice, and the illusion of separation. The same love that guides our relatives in the spiritual world must guide us here, bringing forth an unprecedented, unified action to unite humanity and restore Mother Earth.
We must embrace the spiritual principles that unite all nations—respect, reciprocity, and responsibility. Just as the natural world thrives, so must we cultivate a balance between our spiritual and material lives, walking in harmony with each other and all creation.
As we honor the memory of those who have passed into the next world, we must also commit to healing the sacred lands we have been entrusted to protect. This sacred task is not just for the few but all of humanity. In unity, we must come together to restore the health of Mother Earth, guided by the spiritual wisdom of our ancestors, who understood that every blade of grass, every river, and every mountain is alive with spirit, connected to us by the same Creator who gave us life. Our connection to the land is spiritual, and through this connection, we will find the strength to take bold and compassionate action grounded in our relationship with the Great Mystery.
The vision before us is one of unity—nations and peoples standing together, not as adversaries but as relatives, honoring the sacredness of all life. This is the foundation for restoring balance to Mother Earth. It begins with recognizing our shared destiny and that we are all part of one sacred circle.
By coming together in unprecedented unity, lifting our prayers to the Creator, and acting in alignment with the natural laws of Wakan Tanka, we can restore what has been lost and heal the wounds inflicted upon the earth and each other.
This is our sacred charge: to honor the spirits of those who have gone before, act with love and compassion in the present, and leave a legacy of harmony for future generations. With the guidance of our Creator, the Great Spirit, we will forge a new path forward—a path of peace, unity, and deep respect for all life. This is how we will restore Mother Earth and, in doing so, restore the balance within ourselves and among all peoples.
The time for unprecedented, unified action is now, and we are called to this sacred duty with humility, strength, and the knowledge that we are never alone. We walk this path with our ancestors, with the spirits of the land, and with the guidance of Wakan Tanka, who holds us all in the sacred embrace of the Great Mystery.
This in no way justifies the deepening violence of war and the devastation of our Mother Earth that is unfolding everywhere on Mother Earth.
Shunkmanu He Me Yedo! Chanupa Sapa He Me Yedo!
Hinhan Wicasta/Deloria Tiospayes, Ihanktonwan, and Chickasaw Nations
