The return home: the passing of a Navajo Elder

It seems as a brief meeting, like stopping by for coffee in the early morning to observe the hustle of the small critters as they scurry around for food and drink before the humans arouse and the temperature starts to rise. We sit silently and smile softly as we watch life’s struggle play out as if we are an audience and the small creatures act out their lives before us.

It is an interesting setting- being the observer of life’s work, quite ironic when one thinks about it, as we observe that there is an appreciation as well as an agreement not to interfere. Do they know that we are watching ?. Do they care? Perhaps there is some type of acknowledgment, there usually is- as awareness of ones environment is critical for survival and success. Anyway, it serves to cause small talk and provoke the child-like wonder and excitement of earlier times. It never gets old.

Soon the moment passes and the coffee begins to cool, we remember that we too must scurry to acquire the necessities for survival and success. However, the brief moment together is somehow sufficient to start the day right and there is always another day. It’s the simple things that bring about a great appreciation- or at the lease a fond memory.

Such was the life with Leon Secatero, a slight man whose strength and humility was forged from the many challenges of life. A man whose unassuming appearance hid the strength of character and deep insight known only to those that chose a spiritual way and walked on the beauty path. Protector of the sacred Navajo way, ‘way shower’ to the spiritual traveler, teacher, scholar and healer, the Elder Leon was unselfish with his wisdom and whatever comfort he could offer, be it a smile with a twinkle in his eye and always with a kind word to bring clarity to understanding. Always love-always. The Elder Secatero was ever aware that the ‘Holy Ones’ were watching and his conduct honored them as he was ever mindful of his sacred duty and his behavior exemplified that ‘special’ communication.
So, having coffee with Leon in the early morning was a moment of profound joy and love- ever a lesson, even if few words were spoken – that we were being watched as well. We must not forget that all are connected in the Great Love. As the coffee began to cool, he would be off to complete the necessary work as directed by the ‘holy ones’. We remain with fond memories. Somewhere, in the Great Love, sits Leon amongst the holy ones, with his cup awaiting. Are we being observed?

Elder Red Eagle Bear

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The grand spiritual elder: guardian of our past/ guide to our future

Amongst those who find that everyday modern life often pushes us through the day and will not allow for a bit of rest until we are exhausted at days end with thoughts only of the next day’s toil and payments for food, shelter and family, we steal a moment to reflect upon the times that our elders spoke of- a time when a slower, compassionate and graceful pace prevailed. While rushing here and there we sometimes encounter a reminder of our past, perhaps an article of clothing, a song, even a face in the crowd that reflects a striking resemblance of an old friend or past family member, an old building. In an instant we are called by our ancestors through the presentation of the present not to forget them.

The Ancestors have chosen a few amongst us to remember the essence of life – the notion that the present reality is for a brief moment and that which propels us is non-material. The chosen are our spiritual elders- teachers and preservers of our indigenous culture, healers of the unbalanced and confused, Proprietors of the oft sought after ‘rest stop’ along the path of life. Yet in many instances we have forgotten about these elders, some find them amusing as outdated and strange with their ‘primitive’ spiritual practices and stories about ‘the holy ones’ as well as their reverence to nature as a divine object of worship.
These spiritual elders are our family, we come from them, and perhaps they remember that which we have forgotten- that we are loved by all of creation and happiness is our legacy. The culture that they maintain is far older than the current life situation by thousands of years and yet they are still here. Here to whisper, “ You are forever loved and never alone – come home to yourself and be at peace”.
Civilizations of long standing have never broken the ties to the past or to those whose who are chosen to protect the traditional spiritual culture. Guatemala has wisely chosen to maintain the link to its long and profound legacy. For today, we celebrate the appointment by the President of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom, of Maya Quiche’ Elder Don Alejandro as The Indigenous Ambassador to the World. A kind and insightful man, Elder Alejandro has ‘walked the talk’ of Mayan traditional spiritual practice since his youth in the mountains of his native region near Xela. The Grand Elder teacher has shared teachings of the Ancient Maya to many from diverse cultures worldwide. The path has not been easy, there were many personal sacrifices along the way. Yet his eyes are clear, his hearing sensitive and his heart always with the divine and his people.
We have no doubt that in his new capacity; our beloved teacher and friend will find new and unique methods to maintain the balance between modernity and spiritual tradition as Guatemala progresses in these times of challenge and opportunity. May the Great Love and the Ancestors continue to protect and guide him.

Friends is honored to receive this proposal from the Huichol Communities, relative of our president Ted Herrara. The filming is under way and we are asking for a sponsorship for two board members to attend the March Pilgrmage

Indigenous Community of San Andrés Cohamiata
Municipality of Mesquitic State of Jalisco 15/02/07

 

Reference: Request financial support for the San Jose Ceremonial Center, 1 of the 4 ceremonial centers serving the Zona Alta community. 
 
Justification: The 4 ceremonial centers of this native community of Tateikie represent the 4 cardinal points which are Wirikuta  (Real De Catorce) in the state of San Luis Potosí, Xapa Wiyementa (Chapala-La Isla de Los Alacranes) in the state of Jalisco, Waxiewe (the sea of San Blas) in the state of Nayarit, and Iiaurra Manaka (Cerro Gordo) in the state of Durango.  The elders and the peyoteros of the ceremonial center expend much time and effort in keeping the Huichol culture alive.  They comply with the required ceremonial rituals, making the proper offerings for the good rains, natural phenomena, thanking father sun and mother earth, brother wind, grandfather fire and mother rain on a timely basis. It is due to the economic and fiscal expense of the execution of these duties that the Peyoteros of the San Jose Ceremonial Center request financial support to journey to these cardinal points to carry out ceremonies in the sacred places of the Huichol culture.
 
Preceding History of the Huichol people and their culture:
Since time Immemorial the Huichol people have been segregated, located in the center of the states of Jalisco, Nayarit and Durango.  This dispersion was caused by the Christian Wars.  In spite of this marginalization by the government, the people still keep the original Huichol culture that was inherited by their ancestors by fortifying their mother tongue, wearing their traditional attire, keeping in harmony with nature, utilizing medicinal plants, playing their traditional music, and by creating their magical art.  The pilgrimage rites on the way to the sacred sites, the Ceremony of the Corn, the Hunting of the White Tail Deer, the Festival of the New Corn, Changing of the Traditional Staff are passed on from generation to generation by the elder messengers (kawiteros).  They are the main actors that intervene, so that this culture can be kept alive.  Thanks to them the young people today acquire and conceive, with respect, the valuable and important Huichol culture.  The hunting of the White Tail Deer is one of the most important ceremonies of the Huichol culture, because without it we cannot perform the traditional festivals that were previously cited. This sacred animal symbolizes the peyote, the corn of five colors and the sacred Eagle.  Together these elements make up the Magic Ritual Wisdom of the Huichol people. 
 
There are approximately 42 keepers involved in traveling to the 4 states that represent the 4 cardinal sacred sites.  The financial support being requested is to allow them to travel to and leave offerings at the sacred sites during their 5-year guardianship
 
We will have subsequent conversations with you to check and verify the expenses.
 
Being no other particular matter, we seal this solicitation 15 February 2007.  We await a favorable response.

I received a fax on 16th of July from Andres, Captain of the San Andres Peyoteros requesting a meeting in Cuidad Mier Tamaulipas Mexico on the 20th of July.
 
JoAnn and I met with him and had a chance to talk more about the documenttation of the upcoming March pilgrimage, explain about Friends of the Indigenous Elders (FIE), and to ask some questions.
 
Andres explained how 2008 will be the last year for him to serve as captain and does not know how the next peyoteros who will serve for the following 5 years will feel about filming the pilgrimage; therefore 2008 might be the last opportunity to make the documentary.
 
Below are the questions we asked Andres:
 
Q How many days will be required to document the pilgrimage?
A The actual preparation starts in September, hunting for the wood to make the sacred bow to hunt brother deer (peyote) and other ceremonies; however the actual pilgrimage will start around the 22nd of March and will continue with a hunt on our land upon our return. But to document just the actual pilgrimage journey will take approximately 2 weeks.
 
Q. What is the purpose for filming the documentary?
A. The main reason is to preserve our culture for our future generations, and also to capture our elder’s way of living. There are several people in our community well over a hundred years old, my own grandmother is 129, and I want to share their diets, medicines, activities, etc with other indigenous cultures.
 
Q. What will be allowed in the film?
A. Everything that is approved by our government, I plan on meeting with the 4 ceremonial entities of our community in early August to coordinate on the filming.
 
Q. What will the revenue from the sell of the documentary be used for?
A.  However the community decides to use the money.
 
Q. Do you want to address the present day constraints that the peyoteros face during this pilgrimage, i.e. privatization of sacred sites, legal issues, etc?
A. Yes.
 
Q. Do you realize that this documentary may cause many from the outside world to want to come to your community?
A. Yes, we welcome some tourist as long as they stay within our prescribed boundaries.
 
Q. Can we come to your community in September to plan the documentary?
A. Yes.
 
Q. During the pilgrimage since the community is also involved in supporting the peyoteros on their journey, should someone stay back in the village and film that as well?
A. That would probably be ok.
 
Q. There will be 5 or 6 people on the filming crew will that be a problem?
A. We will need Ted and JoAnn to be part of the group, but no more then a total of 12 people.
 
Q. Will there be stops between San Andres and Real De Catorce?
A. Yes, there are at least 3 stops in-between and 2 more in the desert.
 
Q. Should we consider bringing an RV for charging equipment?
A. No, the terrain is too rough for that type of vehicle.
 
 
Andres stated that he is involving all the 4 peyotero groups (20 people per group) in his community, consequently he will use some of the money pledged by FIE ($2,300) to contribute to the other peyoteros so that there will not be any problems before during or after the making of the documentary.
 
He also explained that some of the money pledged by FIE for the Real De Catorce Pilgrimage will be needed by the November 2007 timeframe since it will be used for buying the materials for making the traditional trajes (heavily embroidered pants and blouses), this lead time will allow the women to complete the trajes by March 2008.
 
Andres also asked how much money will be brought in by the selling of the documentary; I explained that that will depend on many different things but that we well try to get him as much as we can. I told Andres that this effort will not be easy, but that if we make good decisions it will serve many people long after we are gone. And that we need to continue to find out more information from each other so that we will have good results. He agreed.
 
En Dios
  
Ted Herrera
Rio Grande NAC

To help support this Huichol project log on to

www.huicholartfromlosvenados.com

 
                                               

Along with Drunvalo Melchizedek www.spiritofmaat.com, Adam Yellowbird and his wife Carmen are helping to sponsor a gathering of Elders in Guatemala.

For more information, please feel free to call (928) 646-3000. Also look at www.Earthworksforhumanity.org