In 1975, I found myself in Seattle, working with the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF), surrounded by a circle of young men hungry for knowledge about Indigenous spiritual teachings and prophecies. We sought out elders and spiritual teachers, gathering once a week at my apartment to pray and share our journeys.
Over time, all but one of us, my dear brother Lee Brown, have journeyed to the Other Side Camp. Life seems to pass us by so swiftly, reminding me of Chief Crow Foot's words about life being like the breath of a buffalo on a cold day, a flash of a firefly on a warm summer night, or shadows fading before the setting sun. Time is both beautiful, mysterious, and fleeting.
Together, we turned the sauna in my apartment complex into a Sweat Lodge, where we would pray before engaging in our Talking Circles. The heat was intense, especially when we poured water on the hot rocks, but it felt like a nurturing and scorching experience for our souls.
One moment etched into my memory was when my beloved brother, Harold Belmont, doubted our idea of having a Sweat Lodge in a sauna. However, a large brown bear appeared to him during that sweat lodge, conveying that there is no wrong way to pray when our hearts are pure. With this newfound assurance, we continued our prayers and songs, feeling connected to something greater than ourselves.
We delved deeper into Indigenous teachings and built a Sweat Lodge at the Day Break Star Center. With permission, we extended our practice to the Monroe Correctional Complex, the McNeil Island Corrections Center, and the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Sweating with the brothers in those places became a meaningful and transformative experience for all of us.
Also, in 1975 we learned about two Cree Elders, Abe Burnstick and Eddie Bellerose, who had brought the teachings of the Sweat Lodge to a Treatment Center in Corvallis, Oregon. We embarked on a journey to learn from them, and their wisdom profoundly impacted us. Abe spoke to us only in Cree, and Eddie translated into English to ensure the purity of their Sacred Teachings, which included the Talking Circles we began to facilitate.
One Prophecy stood out to me. They told us that we would witness the day when the Everywhere Spirit would be manifest physically on Mother Earth. The truth would prevail, hidden no more by lies and deceit. Humanity would be able to connect across vast distances, uniting as one big family. We would see and speak with other human beings on the other side of Mother Earth.
I couldn't grasp the Prophecy at the time. Later, as I served as an Associate Professor of Indigenous Education at the University of Lethbridge, the truth became evident with the advent of the Internet.
The Internet was the precise realization of the Everywhere Spirit Prophecy. The Elders saw deeply into the future. Though initially unsure about using digital technology, I encouraged others to embrace it, realizing its potential to uplift and unite Indigenous Peoples and Humanity worldwide.
With time, I witnessed the fulfillment of the Prophecy as digital technology and social media bridged the gaps between cultures and people. However, it wasn't the technological advancements that worried me. Instead, I was concerned about the growing disunity and the loss of spiritual values guiding humanity.
In 2008, my digital world expanded when I met Brother Jon Ramer during the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle. He became a loving mentor, guiding me into the digital realm. Although I still type with one finger, Brother Jon's support allowed me to co-author, The Digital Fourth Way and facilitate a digital initiative to unite Indigenous communities across SE Asia.
One of my greatest passions is searching for innovative technologies to inform and unite our Indigenous Peoples and Human Family. The SINE Network especially caught my attention, and I closely followed its growth under Brother Jon and Sister Summer's wise leadership.
The SINE directly manifests the Prophecy of the Everywhere Spirit Made Manifest on Earth, as Indigenet is the digital backbone of the Union of the Condor, Hummingbird, Quetzal, and Eagle we are cocreating across the Americas.
As I watch the SINE Network, Indigenet, and other networks flourish in the emergence of the "Hoop of Many Hoops," I feel more and more empowered and inspired. With initiatives like World Unity Week, the 99 Days of Peace and Unity, Enlightening Our Way Together, Building Beloved Community, and the Sacred Prayers of 22 Women of Mother Earth, I see the potential to reach millions on World Peace Day, September 21, 2023, and beyond. The Everywhere Spirit's Prophecy is unfolding before our eyes, and it is just the beginning.
The future holds boundless possibilities, and my passion for learning grows daily. My son Tiger, who knows more about technology than I ever will, is a constant source of inspiration.
I firmly believe that the SINE Network, Indigenet, and similar digital initiatives will be crucial in unifying our Human Family. We must remember the true power of the Everywhere Spirit lies in the values and intentions of the hearts and minds that use these digital tools. Together, we can heal the disunity and cultivate a world of love, healing, compassion, forgiveness, and unity.
