Walking Spirit in a Native Way

M’naa den d’mowin (respect). Respect everyone, all humans and all things created. Regard each with esteem and consideration. Allow others to believe in their own reality. One of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers according to the stories of the Anishinaabe people. Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Love, Bravery, Truth ~ Mashkode bizhiki~ Totem Animal ~ [buffalo] Buffalo carries himself with a quiet authority, teaching respect through his actions rather than words. He reminds us that all life is deserving of honor — the Creator, the self, the people, and every being who shares this world. From Buffalo we learn that respect is not a single act, but a way of walking. WALKING SPIRIT IN A NATIVE WAY by James B Beard Buy this at stores her e! Please share this article

It is believed in the indigenous culture that guides me! When one passes in this world, they begin a four-day journey to travel on into the next realm of their being. That person walks during the night and rests during the daytime. The night is daytime in Spirit world. Friends and family will light a fire to last for the four days of the persons walk. It is to help Guide and support the person as they travel.   Recently a friend of mine began his walk into Spirit world. He did not follow traditional ways yet was very Spiritual. In his time, he was a Episcopal Priest and a Jun-gist disciple.    In my way a four-day fire is kept to help guide one who has begun their walk. I chose to do that for him. The second night of the fire something interesting happened. Most people probably would not have noticed. At 1:30am I set two logs down to burn low and long so I could take a nap. Then I set my alarm for 4:00am, figuring I would resupply the fire with more wood then....

Zoon gide’iwin (bravery).  Bravery to do things even in the most difficult times. Be ready to defend what you believe and what is right. Always stand up for the people. One of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers according to the stories of the Anishinaabe people. Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Love, Bravery, Truth ~Mukwa~ Totem Animal ~ [bear] Bear stands as a guardian of family and community, moving with quiet strength and unwavering purpose. He carries the medicines of healing and teaches us to protect what is right, to nurture what is fragile, and to defend the well‑being of the people. In his presence, we learn courage rooted in compassion, and responsibility grounded in love. WALKING SPIRIT IN A NATIVE WAY by James B Beard Buy this at stores her e! Please share this article

    As we witness the degradation of values in our country  we forfeit the richness in heritage   that make our country great  and  deny those that are indigenous their basic rights of existence !! Walking Spirit in a Native Way James Beard is a speaker on topics such as traditional living and natural spirit teachings. His topics address many concerns to do with wellness and balance in...

An interview with Story Teller James B. Beard. Author of "Walking Sirit in a Native Way ~ White Mocs on the Red Road" Truly unique and insightful! Through the voice of James, also known as Noodin, the author shares his transformative thirty year spiritual journey under the guidance of an elder from the Ojibwe Nation.   Hear his story in his own words  James Beard aka Noodin                Cultural Storyteller, Educator, Speaker,                Author ...

When I was a boy, about five years old, I told my sister, Tinker, I wanted to learn to swim. We were at a beach, at Godfrey's Pond. It was a local swimming pond near our home in LeRoy New York. Tinker was laying on a blanket on the beach reading a book at the time. Dad and Mom were getting a picnic lunch ready. My brother was up the beach at a deep-water end of the pond with his friends. Tinker didn't say anything and got up. She waived to me to follow her and said, "Come on!" We waded into the water until I was up to my neck. I stood there waiting for her to tell me what to do. Tinker didn't say anything. She simply put her hand on my head and pushed me down under the water and held me down. I struggled but she would not let loose. Finally, I went down deeper and out from under her reach. When I came up a few feet away, I started to cry and yelled at her. "Why did you do that!" . She simply turned and started walking back to the beach. As she walked awa...