TIP Dir. Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard:
I think we have here two different forms of religion. And
TIP Dir. Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard:
I think we have here two different forms of religion. Ands its this religion of my ancestors that I participate in that I think really has been the problem. I think we have to come to understand that religious consciousness evolves just like anything else does. It's not just the material world that evolves but also our cultural world evolves and the realm of the concept evolves. We are going now, as a people - there was a time from prehistorical religions to historic religions. the religions of the book Judaism, Christianity, Islam to this historic period. Now I think that religious consciousness is transending to this transrational understanding of spirituality. And as part of this transrational understanding of spirituality is an appropriation of this knowledge and spirituality of Earth-based cultures. I think we have to be open now to what John Trudell called 'spirit making and escape.' I love this idea. My spirit needs to make an escape from my religious consciousness. And one of the ways my spirit has been greatly helped to make this escape from the techologic mining process that we all go through - is because of the grace of God. I got to become friends with many people who extended friendship to me and taught me how to listen - taught me about myself and taught me these great learnings and teachings and wisdom that can come from our brothers and sisters - who still - despite their painful history at our hands that still goes on today. The racial and cultural genocide that still goes on today inside this country - they taught me how to transcend myself and how to get to this other higher level of spiritual consciousness. And I am very grateful for that. Judaism is an inherently ethical religion except you have to be a Canaanite. You may get your ass kicked or your head cut off but basically it's OK. But sky Gods and cultures that worship sky Gods are traditionally barbaric - Read the Old Testament - Wow! Talk about patriarchy. But we are in a war. It is not a war of my choosing.But we are in a war I truly believe that - a war fore our hearts and our minds. We have to continually fight.It's multi-generational. We fight against great principalities and powers. It's amazing. If you stick your head up out of the foxhole just a little bit and you start speaking on behalf of the poor. Those bullets are flying. I said something about a corporation. I said we created these corporations and political structures that aren't moral entities because if you are a moral entity you have to say things like: 'I'm sorry. I made a mistake.' You have to admit your humanness. When's the last time your heard a politician ever admit a mistake unless they were forced to? 'I did not have sex with that woman - I did not inhale - yes I smoked but I did not inhale' And I said corporations are liked this too - they are not moral entities because they cannot do these things like apologize. Well, good Lord that's attacking a sacred cow - there's a guy in my congregation who just went ballistic - who quit the church because he had spent his entire life benefitting from, working for, a non-moral entity. I did not say all corporations were liked this - I just said some corporations are like this. Well that's all you have to say. And you start talking to Euro-American people about the reality of Native American peoples - in my world. Rev. Hubbard said Americans and all people who call Earth home need to protect the environment. He said we have lost the sense of the sacred - a lesson that can be learned from Native Americans and other Indigenous peoples. I understand this because I feel desperate. What John Trudell was talking about is the same way. We've lost our way. We do not have any spiritual sense because we have lost any sense of the sacred. A great historian of the religions Mircea Eliade who was at the University of Chicago where I for many years - I did his funeral. Mircea Eliade had this notion that in order to have a hierophany, an experience of the sacred, you have to have sacred space. If this Earth is not sacred to you, which it isn't to Mickey Mouse, then you can't have an experience of the sacred. I deal with people every day in my congregation who have lost or are losing any sense of the sacred. And it's not only - like you were saying this relationship between Earth and women - and the earth and man. If you do not have power in a capitalistic society, you become part of. and you are thought of in terms of the Earth. Women who have less economic power, children who don't have any power at all unless somebody gives it to them, Indigenous communities, you are all thought of as expendable commodities.
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The founders of the Turtle Island Project believe residents of Earth are facing a Kyros mo
The founders of the Turtle Island Project believe residents of Earth are facing a Kyros moment because of the abuse of the environment.
Kairos' is Greek for 'occasion' or 'timing - the art of seizing the moment - a combination of understood context and proper timing.
The Turtle Island Project was founded to encourage people to find a renewed respect for the planet, nature, wildlife and fellow humans.
From native plants to Indigenous peoples, the world's residents - and especially Americans - are not being good stewards to the planet given to us by God.
Turtle Island Project co-founder and board chairman Rev. Dr. George Cairns says we can learn a lot from Earth-based cultures like the Celts and Native Americans.
Dr. Cairns said a former of chanting called jubilation (that he demonstrates in this video) helps him focus on the problems he wants to tackle - plus demonstrates the interconnection between humans and the Earth.
TIP volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson reports:
Supers/fonts:
Rev. Dr. George Cairns
Turtle Island Project
Co-Founder, Board President
Rev. Dr. George Cairns
Chicago Theological Seminary
Research Professor
Munising, Michigan
November 2007
TIP Ecumenical Clergy Retreat
Rev. Dr. George Cairns
United Church of Christ
Ordained Minister
Demonstration of Jubilation
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard
Turtle Island Project
Co-Founder, Director
To support non-profit TIP:
Turtle Island Project
137 East Onota Street
Munising, MI
49862
Call: 906-387-5616
---
Time:9:59
---
Turtle Island Project board chairman - Rev. George Cairns - says climate change, species extinction and other destructive problems are joining forces to signal the beginning of the end for humans - we would be the first species to ever bring about its own demise.
Dr. Cairns said humans are facing a Kyros moment.
A Greek word for 'occasion' or 'timing - Kyros is the art of seizing the moment - a combination of understood context and proper timing.
Dr. Cairns - the TIP co-founder - said the numbers surrounding species extinction are shocking - as humans have killed off nearly 1,000 species.
Species extinction and global warming are among the measures that demonstrate the dire future for Earth and humans if we don't change our attitudes.
Cairns said nearly 15,600 species are threatened with extinction.
A research professor with the Chicago Theoligical seminary, Dr. Cairns said over the past 500 years humans have forced 844 species into extinction with the exception of a handful who remain alive in manmade facilities like zoos and preserves.
Cairns noted that several 2007 United Nations reports state - that almost one-third of the world's species of animals and plants are expected to be at risk of extinction within 50 years due to climate change.
Australian environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht has coined a term for the losses than humans have brought upon ourselves.
During a November 2007 the TIP sponsored an ecumenical retreat at the Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church in Munising, Michigan.
Dr. Cairns explained centering prayer and taught the group a form of chanting called jubilation
The Turtle Island Project was founded to encourage people to find a renewed respect for the planet, nature, wildlife and fellow humans.
During the interfaith retreat for religious leaders - TIP director Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard said it's the responsibility of clergy to speak out on social issues like the abuse of the environment and racism.
Turtle Island Project founders say we can learn a lot from Earth-based cultures like the Celts and Native Americans.
---
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
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Added: 3 months ago
Views: 196
Racism, spiritual terrorism and the loss of Indigenous culture are among numerous social i
Racism, spiritual terrorism and the loss of Indigenous culture are among numerous social issues being targeted by the Turtle Island Project - founded in northern Michigan in August 2007.
A pair of Midwest pastors launched the Turtle Island Project because they believe the world is sitting on the brink of important cultural, economic and religious issues that will either allow humans to prosper in harmony with the Earth or become the only species to cause its own extinction.
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard and Rev. Dr. George Cairns say some - if not many - Christians belittle the knowledge and heritage of Indigenous cultures like Native Americans, Celts and other centuries-old religions and beliefs that are aligned closely with nature and the environment.
They believe we can all learn a lot about nature and the environment by listening to these Earth-based cultures.
Rev. Hubbard is a Lutheran pastor, and Rev. Cairns is an ordained United Church of Christ minister.
Both have extensive backgrounds in interfaith and multi-cultural work.
The Turtle Island Project (TIP), based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, promotes respect for the environment and Native Americans.
Turtle Island Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has more on the founders and their goals.
On Sept. 25, 2007 Rev. Hubbard spoke to college students, tribal educators and others during the annual United Conference at Northern Michigan University.
Conference topics included diversity and other issues like the abuse and sexual mutilation of girls and women in Africa - and racism against Native Americans
Rev. Hubbard said some Christians are too quick to dismiss the teachings of Native Americans.
Hubbard said whites can learn a lot from NA storytellers, myths and other Earth based teachings.
Rev. Hubbard says Native Americans know that not everything can be described in words alone.
In August 11, 2007 - Dr. Hubbard spoke to religious scholars and authors in Ann Arbor - during the kick off of the Read the Spirit project.
Hubbard warned that some Christians think their beliefs are perfect to the exclusion of all others.
In August 28, 2007, Rev. Hubbard was invited to join a national Native American radio talk show conversation on racism by whites who live in towns bordering reservations - the same issue that Nimrod Nation highlighted as Watermeet Michigan is on the edge of a reservation. During Native America Calling, Rev. Hubbard told host Harlan McKosato that racism in northern Michigan is insidious.
--
Turtle Island Project related websites:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
---
Lakota words for God, Creator, Grandfather:
Tunkasila
Wakantanka
Gitchi Manitou
Lakota: Mitakyasi: "all my relatives"
http://www.dlncoalition.org/home.htm
Heraclitus "The essence of things"
http://www.thebigview.com/greeks/heraclitus.html
http://www.spaceandmotion.com/books/philosophy-book-heraclit us.htm
---
Bishop Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston
President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School and Professor of Theology
Cambridge, Mass.
http://www.eds.edu/indexDyn.asp
http://www.eds.edu/sec.asp?cat=92&page=85
Jamestown summit remembers Native saints, prepares for future generations:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78695_91767_ENG_HTM.htm
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/images/elo_jamestown1_md.jpg
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/hires-image/elo_jamestown1_lg .tif
Photo by Carlyle Gravely
Participants in the opening Eucharist at the New Jamestown Covenant Summit in procession at the Historic Jamestowne site.
© 2007 Episcopal Life Online
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The Turtle Island Project in northern Michigan was founded in August 2007 by two Midwest p
The Turtle Island Project in northern Michigan was founded in August 2007 by two Midwest pastors who believe the future of mankind and world is at a crossroads.
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard and Rev. Dr. George Cairns believe that Christians could learn a lot about nature and the environment by listening to Earth-based cultures like Native Americans, Celts, and other Indigenous peoples.
Rev. Hubbard is a Lutheran pastor, and Rev. Cairns is an ordained United Church of Christ minister.
Both have extensive backgrounds in interfaith and multicultural work.
The Turtle Island Project (TIP), based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, promotes respect for the environment and Native Americans.
Two Midwest pastors created the TIP to foster a national discussion and debate on a wide variety of issues involving the future of the planet and mankind including encouraging Christians to learn how to appreciate nature like Earth-based religions such as American Indians, Celts and other Indigenous peoples.
Turtle Island Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has more on the founders and their goals.
Time:9:50
-------
White Buffalo Calf Woman Society:
http://www.wbcws.org
---
Turtle Island Project related websites:
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
---
Rate of Species Extinction:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rate+of+species+extinct ion&btnG=Google+Search
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/01/31_ol sond_biodiversity/
http://www.iucn.org/themes/Ssc/red_list_2004/Extinction_medi a_brief_2004.pdf
http://www.iucn.org/en/news/archive/2001_2005/press/species2 000.html
http://www.earthportals.com/extinct.html
http://www.rainforestweb.org/Rainforest_Information/Species_ Extinction/
---
Inconvenient Truth - Al Gore:
http://www.climatecrisis.net/
http://www.climatecrisis.net/aboutthefilm/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/05/060524-globa l-warming.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Inconvenient_Truth
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497116/
---
Existentialist Theology of Paul Tillich:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_existentialism
http://www.giffordlectures.org/Author.asp?AuthorID=169
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Kairos
An artistic representation of Kairos by Francesco Salviati:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Image:Francesco_Sa lviati_005.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tillich
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?pag e=590630&sp=1018&event=1018
Paul Tillich's gravestone in the Paul Tillich Park, New Harmony, Indiana:
(Tillich died in Chicago in 1965. A park was named after him in New Harmony, Indiana, where his ashes were interred.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Paul_Johannes_Tillich%27s _gravestone_in_the_Paul_Tillich_Park%2C_New_Harmony%2C_India na.jpg
http://www.metanexus.net/magazine/tabid/68/id/9706/Default.a spx
http://www.quodlibet.net/stephens-luther.shtml
Rosebud Tribe official website:
http://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/
1973 Wounded Knee Incident & the earlier 1890 massacre of 146 Indians by government troops:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Incident
http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Incident
Pine Ridge Reservation Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Ridge_Reservation
Pine Ridge shocking photos:
http://www.aaronhuey.com/
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Added: 5 months ago
Views: 653
TIP examines centering prayer, fighting structural evil, the Iona Community
Centering p
TIP examines centering prayer, fighting structural evil, the Iona Community
Centering prayer, the Iona Community in Scotland, and structural evil were among the topics discussed during the first Turtle Island regional conference in northern Michigan.
TIP Board Chairman and Co-Fouder Rev. Dr. George Cairns explained why centering prayer helps fight structural evil and other problems in life.
TIP volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has the story:
Time: 9:25
**Notice we have additional information/websites and information on all these topics in this script.
---
Summary of Turtle Island Project websites & TV (video) sites:
---
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
TIP website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
TIP Sacred Places website
Upload your own Sacred Place:
http://www.NorthAmericaSacredPlaces.org
---
Other sites:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
-----
Turtle Island TV - Video sites:
(blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
(youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
(myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
---
Iona Community website:
http://www.iona.org.uk/
Isle of Iona:
http://www.isle-of-iona.com/
Iona Community - U.S. Outreach:
http://www.iona-nwf.org/
Iona on Answers.com
http://www.answers.com/topic/iona-community
---
Centering Prayer websites & Rev. Thomas Keating, Trappist monk
Arkansas Catholic - Great photo of Father Keating w/a class:
http://www.arkansascatholic.org/article.php?id=616
University of Flordia - Spirituality and Health: Good photo of Keating in thought
http://www.spiritualityandhealth.ufl.edu/events/details_past _event.asp?id=1007
:
Hartley Foundation: Good closeup photo of Father Keating:
http://hartleyfoundation.org/contemplative-life
The Centering:
http://www.thecentering.org/
http://www.thecentering.org/centering_method.html
http://www.thecentering.org/therapy.html
Keating to talk in San Francisco on Nov. 3 and 4, 2007
http://www.thecentering.org/Keating%202007.pdf
Belief Net.com reprint of article on Keating: "Resting in God."
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/2/story_217_1.html
Another reprint:
http://www.livingrosaries.org/interview.htm
Centering Prayer:
http://www.centeringprayer.com/cntrgpryr.htm
http://www.centeringprayer.com/frntpage.htm
---
Definition of Contemplative Prayer: As it is expressed in a modern day movement is mystically (i.e. based on a technique or method) in which one empties the mind of thought through repetition, usually of a word or phrase or focus on the breath. In this case the silence would be an absence of thought, all thought.
Keating defines centering prayer as "a very simple method in which one opens one's self to God and consents to his presence in us and to his actions within us." Centering prayer is a meditative method, but where Buddhist Vipassana meditation or Christian meditation, as developed by Benedictine monk John Main, use a point of focus such as concentration on the breath or repetition of a mantra, centering prayer relies more on intention than attention. Releasing any distractions caused by thoughts or emotions, the practitioner simply "waits for God." Beyond words, emotions, and thoughts, centering prayer is, says Keating, like "two friends sitting in silence, just being in each other's presence."
The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter an altered state of consciousness in order to find one's true self, thus finding God. This true self relates to the belief that man is basically good. Proponents of contemplative prayer teach that all human beings have a divine center and that all, not just born again believers, should practice contemplative prayer.
---
Iona Community - Scotland:
Iona is a small island off the west coast of Scotland, where in 563 Columba founded a Celtic monastery that was very influential in its own times. In the middle ages it was the site of a Benedictine abbey and over the centuries has attracted many thousands of people on their own pilgrim journeys.
The Iona Community, founded in 1938 by the Rev George MacLeod, then a parish minister in Glasgow is an ecumenical Christian community that is committed to seeking new ways of living the Gospel in today's world. Initially this purpose was expressed through the rebuilding of the monastic quarters of the mediaeval abbey on Iona and pursued in mission and ministry throughout Scotland and beyond. The Community today remains committed to
rebuilding the common life, through working for social and political change, striving for the renewal of the church with an ecumenical emphasis, and exploring new more inclusive approaches to worship, all based on an integrated understanding of spirituality.
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Added: 9 months ago
Views: 3,449
Racism, poverty, teen suicide on reservations, the derogatory perversion of American India
Racism, poverty, teen suicide on reservations, the derogatory perversion of American Indian names on Minnesota rivers and other locations across the country, and learning respect for the environment from Earth-based cultures were among the topics discussed at a Native American Roundtable held Sept 13-15, 2007 in northern Michigan.
In part two. Tip co-founder Rev. Dr. George Cairns will look at Celtic spirituality - centering prayer - and fighting evil.
TIP volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson has the first of a two part look at the roundtable and conference:
---
Summary of Turtle Island Project & TV sites:
Turtle Island Project main website:
http://www.turtleislandproject.org
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
Turtle Island Project websites/Blogs:
http://groups.msn.com/WhisperingTurtle
http://turtleislandproject.wordpress.com/
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
----
Contact info for people quoted in news release:
Turtle Island Project founder/Director:
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard
Eden on the Bay Evangelical Lutheran Church
1150 M-28 West
Munising, MI.
49862
wk: 906-387-2520
cell: 906-202-0590
----
Rev. Dr. George Cairns, TIP founder/board chairman
1-219-3959347
Research Professor of Practical Theology and Spirituality at Chicago Theological Seminary
lives in Chesterton, Indiana
ordained minister in the United Church of Christ
---
The Iona Community - Worldwide:
http://www.iona-nwf.org
---
Rum River Name Change Organization Inc.
Thomas Dahlheimer, director
P.O. Box 24
Wahkon, Minnesota
56386
Call: 320-495-3874
http://www.towahkon.org/
Minnesota H.F. No. 2503 introduced 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) on May 18, 2007
A bill to change 14 derogatory geographic place names offensive to American Indians introduced by Rep. Mike Jaros, D-District O7B (Duluth).
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H250 3.0.html&session=ls85
Related information:
TeePee & fliers at July 2007 Anoka County sesquicentennial:
http://www.towahkon.org/tepee.html
Combating White Racism Against Indigenous Peoples:
http://www.towahkon.org/SEED.html
Solving The Alcohol Abuse Epidemic:
http://www.towahkon.org/sae.html
http://www.aaanativearts.com/printout683.html
Thomas Ivan Dahlheimer's articles and letters to the editor:
http://www.towahkon.org/articles.html
History of the Anoka Dakota Unity Alliance:
http://www.towahkon.org/alliance.html
http://www.dakotahomecoming.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5button=9 294
Minnesota Apology for the Explotation of Native Amercans:
http://www.towahkon.org/apologyresolution.html
Minnesota Indian Affairs Draft Resolution:
http://www.towahkon.org/MIACdraftresolution.html
http://www.astate.edu/mascot/NDNAIM_Fwd_Minnesota_Indian_Aff airs_Council.pdf
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Added: 9 months ago
Views: 1,611
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The director/founder of the Turtle Island Project in Munising, Michigan recently delivered
The director/founder of the Turtle Island Project in Munising, Michigan recently delivered a passionate talk about respecting Native American culture and heritage.
In his speech, Rev. Lynn Hubbard warned the religious experts that "Christianity must - once and for all - renounce its religious imperialistic tendencies."
The Lutheran pastor spoke to the Spirit Scholars conference on August 11, 2007 in Ann Arbor, Michigan about the dangers of intolerance for other people's religions and beliefs.
Time: 9:54
The Turtle Island Project will soon be posting additional and improved video from Rev. Hubbard's address.
Dr. Hubbard is hosting a series of regional and national conferences and Native American roundtables in Munising, Michigan beginning in September 2007.
For more information contact the Turtle Island Project:
Rev. Dr. Lynn Hubbard
Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church
PO Box 360
1150 M-28
West Munising, MI.
49862
call:
906-387-2520
email:
TurtleIslandProject@charter.net
Summary of Turtle Island Project & TV sites:
Turtle Island TV (blipTV)
http://turtleislandtv.blip.tv/
Turtle Island TV (you tube)
http://www.youtube.com/MunisingWhiteHorse
Turtle Island (myspace)
http://www.myspace.com/TurtleIslandProject
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Added: 11 months ago
Views: 1,592
This video from a Rapid City, South Dakota TV newscast is posted with permission from KOTA
This video from a Rapid City, South Dakota TV newscast is posted with permission from KOTA TV News Director John Petersen.
KOTA TV did an excellent story on the tragic problem of teen suicide at the Lakota Rosebud Reservation.
The teen suicide issue is just one of the projects of the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society (WBCWS) in Mission, S.D. that has served the Rosebud Sioux Reservation for nearly 30 years.
On Sunday August 12 a benefit concert to aid the WBCWS will be held at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer, S.D. (More information on the concert is at the end of this page)
Rosebud Sioux Tribe declares state of emergency on reservation suicides
By Lela French
For nearly a decade teen suicide has been one of the biggest problems on the Rosebud Reservation.
"The belief right now is that it is at a crisis state," says Tillie Black Bear Executive Director of White Buffalo Calf Women.
But in the past two years the problem has gotten even worse.
Lino Spotted Elk is one of many fathers who had to deal with the loss of his son who committed suicide two years ago at the age of 19.
"It's really impacted myself and my family as far as of course the loss of a loved one. But also you know the way he went. You don't expect to bury your child," says Lino Spotted Elk.
But many parents have had to do just that.
Council members say in the past two years there were more than four hundred suicide attempts at least 10 of those were successful, and most were teenage boys.
Which is why tribal council members are declaring a state of emergency.
"The task force right now is attempting to bring together all the different agencies and programs on the reservation that are addressing suicide in anyway," says Black Bear.
Black bear says alcohol and drugs play a huge role in the number of suicides, but each case is different.
Social problems, depression, and poverty also contribute to the numbers.
"Many of these teens don't recognize that they're just at this place and time at this particular moment that tomorrow things could be different," says Black Bear.
Some prevention measures are already in place, but Spotted Elk says parents should just do what he regrets not doing.
"Spend more time with your children and do more things with them, you know in the prevention aspect. To help other parents prevent this from happening," says Spotted Elk.
If you are interested in helping, a benefit concert is being held in Custer at the Lutheran Fellowship Church Sunday, August 12th at 5:00PM.
For more information you can call the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. at 605-856-2317
---
KOTA (TV-3) Territory News (ABC)
web:
http://www.kotatv.com
News Director John Petersen
johnpetersen@rushmore.com
Assignment Editor Jack Siebold
kotanews@rushmore.com
News Producer Jennifer Stahl
jennystahl@rushmore.com
---
More info on concert - Sunday, August 12, 2007 in Custer S.D.:
The public is invited to free benefit concert at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship church in Custer, S.D. with donations for the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society domestic violence program, the nation's first battered woman's shelter for Native American women and children in Mission, S.D. that has served the Rosebud Indian Reservation for nearly 30 years.
Performing will be family string band White Water and Duo Borealis, two groups known for their unique folk music from Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For more information contact Rev. Dave Van Kley at 605-673-4691.
---
Links to indepth concert/WBCWS stories:
AAA Native Arts
http://www.aaanativearts.com/article1485.html
ARTS 4-Christ
http://www.art4christ.com/lutheran-ministries/free-concert-t o-benefit-native-american-battered-women-august-12th.html
----
KOTA TV ABC Rapid City - Teen Suicide/Benefit Concert story
http://www.kotatv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6884537
---
RedWebz website:
http://redwebz.org/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=2394
---
Urth TV blog:
http://www.urth.tv/content/view/16661/222/
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Native American Times:
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&a rticle_id=8911
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Turtle Island Project fights religious intolerance, racism, and other social issues that t
Turtle Island Project fights religious intolerance, racism, and other social issues that threaten the future of mankind.
First Nations peoples asked to submit topics for Native American roundtables
(Munising, Michigan) - Exploitation of the earth, spiritual terrorism, religious imperialism, and racism are some of the modern day injustices that two pastors will battle with a new Michigan project that promotes respect for Native American culture and the environment.
Two Midwest pastors have started a national debate on a wide variety of social issues that they believe threaten the future of society and the planet.
"The Turtle Island project will combat what I call spiritual terrorism," said project found Rev. Lynn Hubbard of Munising, MI.
"There is a lot of spiritual intolerance of other people's religions - whether that's the indigenous Native American religions here in the United States or Islam or Judaism or what have you," said Rev. Hubbard., pastor of the Eden on the Bay Lutheran Church along Lake Superior in Munising.
"Anybody can take that attitude towards life - it's my way or the highway - my religion is right - your religion is wrong - and it's that sort of spiritual terrorism that is destroying the world in which we live in," Rev. Hubbard said.
Rev. George Cairns, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, said a "change in religious consciousness is necessary."
"I am deeply concerned that much of humankind and the Earth as we know it will be gone by the end of this century," said Dr. Cairns, a professor of Practical Theology and Spirituality at Chicago Theological Seminary.
"We are in a time now when dramatic changes are happening on this planet and it is a critical time for people of faith - religious people - to act now," said Rev. Cairns, chairman of the Turtle Island Project.
The Turtle Island Project (TIP) will address a wide range of Native American issues including white influence on American Indian heritage and values, said Rev. Hubbard,
The TIP got its name from Natives Americans who first called the North American continent "Turtle Island."
The TIP will hold biannual national and regional conferences and local seminars to discuss environment and American Indian issues. The meetings will be held this fall and next spring and are called the Grand Island Conference and Retreat Program.
Rev. Cairns said it's important to reverse the negative impact man has had on the environment by learning from earth-based religions "and part of that process is to deeply engage our Native American - our First Nations friends - as our teachers."
Each regional conference will be preceded by Native American roundtables, the agendas being determined solely by American Indians who contact the TIP.
"One of the consequences of racism against First Nations people has been the silencing of their voices and the eagerness of Euro-Americans to speak for them - robbing them of their own freedom of speech - that we value so much," Rev. Hubbard said.
"As a result much of the Native American experience has been filtered through the lenses of a foreign culture that - not only doesn't have the right to speak for them but also lacks the ability to speak to the most fundamental realities of native experience."
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