ALL MY RELATIONS

This is a phrase that is important to us. It is used in all our ceremonies. It is a reminder that all of Creation, all that Creator has made, is connected. All things are connected. We are all one and  related.

We begin and end all of our ceremonies with these words as a sign of respect for that very special relationship we all have with Creator, and with each other.

Everything in creation was made by the loving hands of Creator. It was made perfect. That is why there is no way that we as human beings can ever make nature better. It was created perfect in the beginning.

By using these words, All My Relations, we demonstrate that we remember and respect that original Creation, that we are living by what we know to be true and we are passing this knowledge on to the future generations.  We say that we are passing on those original instructions and the traditional teachings. These are the traditional teachings that have kept our people united , kept them strong, kept them in balance and harmony, and kept them on the Red Road for thousands of years.

When we say, we are connected to all things, that means the present, past and the future. This has always been so, and will always be, whether we understand it, or accept it. That is how it is.

Everything in Creation has a purpose. Everything in Creation has a task and responsibilities to fulfill during their Earth walk. One of the most sacred of these responsibilities given to each of us is to recognize, acknowledge and accept this sacred relatedness to all things. This is the primary reason that our people were able to maintain and retain perfect balance, and keep our sacred Turtle Island in balance and clean and beautiful for those millions of years of years prior to contact from the outside worlds.

During this time, individuals and whole peoples lived a life that recognized, acknowledged, accepted and respected that sacred responsibility--to know, respect, love and protect Sacred Mother Earth and all of Creation. We must do the same.

Traditionally, we could do no more harm or injure (and certainly not kill) our sacred Earth Mother than we could our own biological mother. That sacred relationship that we know with all living things, all of Creation, is the same sacred relationship that we have with our Sacred Earth Mother. We must keep that in our hearts and in our thoughts, and especially in our actions. That is why we show respect when we say,  All My Relations.  

All My Relations,    

Dan Ennis

hawbun@nbnet.nb.ca