Aboriginal Soldiers and Vets

I attended a school presentation today with a Dakota Elder who served as a peacekeeper in Canada`s military. November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada.

First, he made me cry with a beautiful Flag Song he sang with his Drum. He chuckled afterward, saying his voice wasn't so good anymore. Not true. I could've listened to him sing and drum for hours.

Then a teacher asked him, "Why do you think it's important that our students know about our country's war involvement and the Aboriginal soldiers who fought in it?"

He touched his heart: "First you need to start here. What emotions do you have when you hear these stories. Then what thoughts do you have about what you feel? Then you need to put your thoughts into action." He choked up a bit and said, "There is still a war going on downtown in our city. Our people are shooting and stabbing each other every day. What can you do about that? what does your heart say about that? That's what I want these young people to remember from today."

The mood was quite sombre after he said that, and even though his presentation was over, nobody wanted to leave! He has such a magical way of speaking. I'm so glad our students got to listen to him today.

[Thunder Bow]

Thank You for posting this.

Originally Posted by Raven Poet

I attended a school presentation today with a Dakota Elder who served as a peacekeeper in Canada`s military. November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada.

First, he made me cry with a beautiful Flag Song he sang with his Drum. He chuckled afterward, saying his voice wasn't so good anymore. Not true. I could've listened to him sing and drum for hours.

Then a teacher asked him, "Why do you think it's important that our students know about our country's war involvement and the Aboriginal soldiers who fought in it?"

He touched his heart: "First you need to start here. What emotions do you have when you hear these stories. Then what thoughts do you have about what you feel? Then you need to put your thoughts into action." He choked up a bit and said, "There is still a war going on downtown in our city. Our people are shooting and stabbing each other every day. What can you do about that? what does your heart say about that? That's what I want these young people to remember from today."

The mood was quite sombre after he said that, and even though his presentation was over, nobody wanted to leave! He has such a magical way of speaking. I'm so glad our students got to listen to him today.

I know what you mean.
My husband served in the Korean War in the Australian army. We returned to the UK after our time in Australia. He was wounded in Korea. He broke down after all those years and what came out was the fighting between man and man of two nations.
'Why do we have wars' he said.

Deepsea.

[Star Wolf Medicine Woman]

Today is Remembrance Sunday and here in the uk and indeed many other nations we feel the futility of war.. Yes there were and are acts of courage and sacrifice on all sides.. Each side thinks it is on the right side... But most fought where they were ordered to go. No choice was offered the modern day soldier...

But gangs of young kids with guns and knives have not seen the futility of war, so they do battle with each other for little or no reason..But it costs lives and it just isn't worth it...And Yes I can understand how he held the students attention... just doing the presentation speaks volumes..

[Native spirit]

I am on the council for my community we held a service here as do most other places. we were doing a longer service as it is the hundred years remembrance .a little boy who stood with his grandfather,
crying his grandfather why he was crying he answered because my heart is breaking, for the lives of everyone who died in wars.
he was only about 6 maybe 7 years old,and he had the wisdom to speak what was in his heart, it was a very sombre moment.

Namaste

[Star Wolf Medicine Woman]

Out of the mouths of babes......

.....speak the truth.....

Native Spirit, thank you for this story. I see children like this as healers. They show us how to get in touch with our heart - even if it is breaking. Wow. Amazing little guy.

[Native spirit]

Yes to hear him ask his grandfather he captured a lot of peoples attention on the other hand there was a woman there whispering loud enough for us to hear that she thought his question was stupid.this woman is 75 years old.she said her g grandson was this boys age and he wouldn't ask such a question,so I told her her ggrandson must take after her no compassion she stormed off,

Namaste

Great post