A baby was born at our hospital a short while ago...but her life would be short...the internal organs were not fully developed. Our indigenous worker asked the mother what she needed. She needed her family and her medicine man from a community up North. Local motels gave them shelter at no cost and our Native Community Group made meals while the family was gathered. Prayers were made in Circle in the Worship Centre while each family member held the child. The physician rearranged day of appointments to be there. Food was set out for the Ancestors. The baby passed over while the mother held her in the Circle.
Uncle has visited the hospital several times and given his blessings to our indigenous committee.
The family said they had never been treated with such kindness in a hospital. He had touched the lives of many people who made this ceremony possible. Yes, the night can blossom...in this intimate assembly.
Migwetch, Niawen, thank you my family.... for teaching me the beauty and power of the Circle in which we all belong.” -Marlene
"...this is a comforting story in an era of disregard for the sanctity of life, caring for the soul, and the facilitation of the soul-transition of loved ones to their deaths. I dread visiting hospitals in the States. I was recently in the VA hospital in Washington DC. They treat veterns like shit. There is no kind way to say it. Maybe it is different in other parts of the States. I know that the introduction of indigenous approaches to healing or transitioning from life to death are rejected not only by the Medical world, for the most part, but the larger population shuns these approaches. Why this is is connected to a carefully placed misconception into public knowledge that extolls the virtues of drugs, and attaches the fears of Witchcraft to the natural healing capacity of the body, its mind, and the spirit of living by the power of one's words."
2009
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