Time-honored teachings about the communication between Mother Earth and Father Sky.
Credit: A Walters, Member Navajo Nation, Soje Blessings
“May Mother Earth guide your feet. May Father Sky keep his arms around you. May Grandfather Sun warm your cold days. May Grandmother Moon Keep the Glow in your heart. May the Star Nations Light the way to the next destination, and the Great Spirit always keep you shielded from the pain,” this is an excerpt from an indigenous prayer, later entitled, “Child of the forest, earth, sky, sun, and moon.” The interplay of indigenous cultures interact with nature is self-evident within every aspect of their culture. Though non-tribal culture embraces efforts to preserve and improve the environment, tribal culture intertwines the preservation and balance within their co-existence with nature as the guiding principle within their culture. It is a difficult concept for most non-natives to grasp; however, for indigenous peoples’, living in harmony nature is a lesson passed down for generations.
Forest and grasslands preservation, enhanced by best practices in improved forestry management, not only improves the health of the forests but also creates a long-term revenue source for the tribe or private landowner for generations to come.
