The Nova Scotia Talking Stick

This site has been set up to give Nova Scotia First Nations people from all aboriginal cultures a SAFE PLACE to vent and give constructive criticisms concerning Native issues. In particular, we want our people to freely express their concerns and frustrations with the various Native programs and organizations. The few people in power try to stifle our voices. Here you can be anonymous and safe and can tell the truth as you have experienced it. - Love Grandmother Moon

Showing posts with label The Status/ Non-Status Divide. Show all posts

July 17, 2007

The Status/ Non-Status Divide

How has this division invented by the Federal government impacted us?

Why does no government department have the responsibility to seek out and tell individuals of their right to status.

What about our children who were adopted out-of-our-culture and do not know of their right ?

The Spirit of the Talking Stick

The talking stick has been used by many North American First Nations so that all who wished to speak would be guaranteed a voice that would be listened to without interruption. Some First Nations use instead a talking feather, a sacred stone or shell, a peace pipe, a wampum belt or some other object for this purpose. But whatever the object, it carries respect for free speech and assures the speakers they have the freedom and power to say what is in their hearts without fear of reprisal or humiliation.

Only the person holding this object of free speech is given the right and the power to speak forth - all other must be silent and give the speaker the respect of a listening heart. When the speaker is finished, the object is held out so that the next person who wishes to speak can take the object and share. Sometimes this object is passed from person to person while standing or sitting in a circle, also considered sacred. If someone does not wish to speak, they will pass it to the next person, until all have had a chance to share.

The object used for talking is considered sacred and the use of this object should not be taken lightly. The speakers must remember that they carry within themselves a sacred spark of the Creator and are therefore sacred themselves. For this reason, anyone who feels they cannot control their words should refrain from speaking so they will not dishonor themselves. Only when they feel they can honor the talking object with their words should they take the object to speak.

Though we do not have the ability to pass a talking stick from person to person over the internet, I ask you to respect the spirit of the talking stick on this site.

I also ask that you NOT chose "anonymous" when posting comments BUT chose a pseudonym that reflects your spirt and your personality - Love Grandmother Moon

The Nova Scotia Talking Stick

July 17, 2007

The Status/ Non-Status Divide

Grandmother Moon

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The Spirit of the Talking Stick