Goodness, its been a long time since i've posted. Life just seems to move more quickly every day. Let's see. I've been to New Mexico twice and am about to go a third time, to look at land and do ceremony. Attended the Green Corn ceremony at Taos Pueblo this spring . . . so moving, and wonderful to watch the children dance. So solemn and working so hard to do it right! Thank the Great mystery some of our children are still being trained in the traditional ways.

Received a message from Carmen this morning - she sent along an appeal from David Swallow, Lakota elder, who tells of the Lakota children committing suicide because they are so lost and alienated from their traditional ways. . . while I always keep our Native people in prayer, and acknowledge the hugeness of this problem on the reservations . . . it's not just on the rez! Our children are dying and killing each other all over America!!

Why?? Because we all need our tribe. We need deep and intimate connection; ceremonies that help us balance our lives; elders who can tell us the stories that help us see how to be and become outstanding individuals who put concern for our People ahead of our individual desires; babies who teach us the innocence and wonder of new, growing life; mamas and daddies who love us with a gentle, quiet insistance that we be the best we can be in our own unique way, and encourage the special gifts we each evince.

Do we have those things in our lives today? Hardly ever. We are so scattered, running all over the globe; working way too hard for not enough reward; separated from loved ones, family, friends; living our lives in overpopulated cities that have no ceremonial base.

Some of us have learned how to create what we need - extended 'families' of chosen friends; new ceremonies based on ancient traditions; creating only as much monetary abundance as we actually need instead of chasing the almighty dollar.

And more and more of us are searching for awakening . . . . My prayer is that we all find each other, just like we do on tribes.net, and learn to co-create land-based communities rather than virtual communities. Whether it's co-housing or a rural environment, we truly need the connections and depth that community living gives.

My love to all

Mitakuye Oyasin ~