American Indian Heritage Month - Walking Softly on Mother Earth

In the 21st century, America and the world at large is facing new challenges that will effect our ability to feed and house people, operate our factories and machines, power our vehicles, keep our food, air and water clean, and keep both humans and our natural environment healthy. These problems have recently become more pronounced and debated, and natural ways of solving these challenges, with new, clean and renewable solutions, are now being discussed in depth.

In the words and beliefs of the Mohegan people, "We are responsible to 13 generations in the past, and for 13 generations in the future.” We must meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Today, it is called "sustainability.” But it is not a new concept. American Indians have, for thousands of years, believed in taking only what is needed at the moment, and leaving the rest for future days, years or generations.

Whether hunting for game or looking for plants for food or medicine, one took only what was truly needed to care for one’s family for the immediate future until crop cultivation came into existence. Each generation was taught to be caretakers of this land.

Mother Earth is a living thing that can feed us, house and clothe us, keep us warm or cool, and continue to nurture us, as long as we learn to "walk softly” upon her and treat her with respect. She has given us all that we need to survive. Mankind must stop wasting the resources she provides, and start treating her as they would treat their own Mother.

Special thanks to Noni "Many Hawks” Nickerson
Mohegan