These are some volunteer Traveling Teachers in 1971- 1972 in the Department of Chuquisaca, which has 10 Provinces, 29 Municipalities, and 101 Cantons/Districts.
They traveled on foot through the Andes of Chuquisaca. Sometimes, I would be away from our home in Sucre for 10 days at a time. Our Quechua Traveling Teachers had unbelievable strength at high altitudes.
There were no backpacks. You laid out your pancho, put what you needed within, rolled it up, and tied it from your left shoulder to your right side. That way, you were ready for action with your right arm.
Looking at old pictures, you will see men with blankets similarly. Your heart is covered, and your right arm is ready for action. A woman's blanket covers both sides equally.
That is why how you blanket someone depends on whether they are a woman or a man. This practice within the Oceti Sakowin may differ from that of other Indigenous peoples.
Our outer cultural/social practices may differ from family to family and First Nation to First Nation. Still, I have found the spiritual mycelium, spiritual values, and principles to be the same in Indigenous communities across the Americas and beyond.
This is based on this Indigenous Worldview:
The spiritual foundation of the Indigenous Worldview is the ancient understanding of the fundamental oneness and unity of all life. Therefore, all members of the Human Family are a part of the Sacred Circle of Life.
Since all members of the Human Family are a part of the Sacred Circle of Life, we are all Indigenous peoples of our Mother Earth from the Pleiades. Therefore, every Human Being is responsible for the well-being of one another and all life on Mother Earth.
Whether or not the nation-states, multinational corporations, or international development agencies surrounding us are willing or able to participate with us, our Indigenous Peoples and Allies of the Human Family are moving dynamically forward in rebuilding and reunifying the Americas and beyond.
Our actions and vision, guided by the Natural Laws and Guiding Principles inherent in our Indigenous Worldview and Legal Order, are based on an eternal and spiritually enduring foundation and will prevail. There will be Peace on Mother Earth and beyond!
