Chiron Communiqué

Odyssey of the 8th Fire is a an online journal I created in 2006 to tell the true story of a prayer walk for the Earth that lasted for eight months as a band of pilgrims walked from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, listening all the way to the call of the  land, as well as the people, plants, and animals who live upon the land.

On Day 15 of this historic journey, the band of walkers arrived at United Nations (UN)  headquarters in New York City. While at the UN they remembered the explicit messages of the traditional elders of Turtle Island (North America), as they fulfilled one of the core traditions of the land they have responsibility to caretake. Because the elders words remain relevant and worthy of careful consideration, I am posting a link to that one, small but significant part of the great, long saga.

For those with a deeper interest, my friend Cindy Pickard has produced a beautiful film exploring these themes: The 8th Fire.

Later this month in Santa Fe, New Mexico my friend Cindy Pickard will premiere her new film, Manitou Api – Where the Sun Rises.

Manitou Api is among the most sacred places on the land for aboriginal people in North America. It is a point of connection, a key to healing. The new film is woven through with the teachings of our land, and the mysteries.

You can learn more on the Manitou Api home page. Be sure your sound is turned up, so you can hear a native echo of the  call of the land arranged by the legendary Tom Bee.

Two years ago Cindy premiered her film ‘The 8th Fire’ in Santa Fe to a packed house out at Institute for American Indian Arts, and for the occasion brought in Dave Courchene, Jr., Larry Dossey, and the Black Eagle drum group from Jemez Pueblo. This premiere of Manitou Api should be equally memorable.

“These 7 laws — love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth — were symbolized and represented by animals, which reflected our connection to nature and our connection to the land. The spirituality of our people is deeply rooted and connected to the land. You cannot live on this land honoring all that there is on the land unless you understand these 7 laws. If we do not understand these 7 laws that we are inspired to live by, then there is a good chance that we will not respect the land and that we will disconnect ourselves from what comes from the land. But if we live by these 7 laws, that is when we will have a truly happy and peaceful life, in harmony with all of nature and each other as the human family.”

-Anishnabe Elder Dave Courchene