Only
after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find out that
money cannot be eaten.
~Cree Prophecy~
Prophecy
"Warriors of the Rainbow"
There
was an old lady, from the "Cree" tribe named"Eyes of Fire", who prophesied
that one day, because of the white mans' or Yo-ne-gis' greed, there would
come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall
from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer
be, mankind as we would know it, would all but cease to exist.
There
would come a time when the "keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals,
and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs" would be needed to restore
us to health. They would be mankinds’ key to survival, they were the "Warriors
of the Rainbow".
There
would come a day of awakeningwhen all the peoples of all the tribes would
form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great
Spirit. The "Warriors of the Rainbow" would spread these messages and teach
all peoples of the Earth or "Elohi". They would teach them how to
live the "Way of the Great Spirit". They would tell them of how the world
today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is
"Sick".
The
"Warriors of the Rainbow" would show the peoples that
this
"Ancient Being" (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding,
and teach them how to make the "Earth or Elohi" beautiful again. These
Warriors would give the people principles or rules to follow to make their
path right with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient
Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow would teach the people of the ancient
practices of Unity, Love and Understanding. They would teach of Harmony
among people in all four comers of the Earth.
Like
the Ancient Tribes, they would teach the people how to pray to the Great
Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows
along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they would be able to
feel joy in solitude and in councils.
They
would be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers,
regardless of color, race or religion. They would feel happiness enter
their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race.
Their
hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for
all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit. They would once again fill their
minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would
seek the beauty of the Master of Life - the Great Spirit! They would find
strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of life.Their children
would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature
and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought
by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed.
The
rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the
animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals
would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would
become a way of life.
The
poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of
the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives.
The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their
political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by
name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest.
Those
who demonstrated their love, wisdom, and courage and
those
who showed that they could and did work for the good of all,
would
be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their "quality"
and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and
devoted "Ancient Chiefs", they would understand the people with love, and
see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings.
They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world
of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.
The
tasks of these "Warriors of the Rainbow" are many and great.
There
will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find
prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength,
and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts
and
minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to
beauty and plenty - once more.
The
day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe
our very existence to the people of all tribes that have
maintained
their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories,
legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge
that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to "harmony"
with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge
that we shall find our "Key to our Survival".
This
is the story of the "Warriors of the Rainbow" and this is my reason for
protecting the culture, heritage, and knowledge of my ancestors. I know
that the day "Eyes of Fire" spoke of - will come! I want my children and
grandchildren to be prepared to accept this task. The task of being one
of the
"Warriors of the Rainbow".
Lelanie Fuller Stone "The Cherokee Lady",
relates the above story that her grandmother
told her when she was a young girl.
Lelanie Fuller Stone |