“In our ways spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics.”
Dear Relatives,
In honor of the Fullness of Grandmother Moon!
Address to the General Assembly of the United Nations
Delivered October 25, 1985 by Leon Shenandoah, Tadodaho, Haudenosaunee
Listen to the words of the Creator given to the first United Nations — the Haudenosaunee –
over 1,000 years ago.
“The Chiefs of the Haudenosaunee shall be mentors of the people for all time. The
thickness of their skins shall be seven spans, which is to say that they shall be proof
against anger, offensive action, and criticism. Their hearts shall be full of peace and good
will, and their minds full of a yearning for the welfare of the people. With endless patience,
they shall carry out their duty. Their firmness shall be tempered with a tenderness for their
people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodging in their minds, and all their words and
actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.
In every nation there are wise and good people. These should be appointed Chiefs. They
should be the advisors of their people and work for the good of all the people, and their
power comes from the “Great Peace.” A chief must never forget the Creator of mankind,
never forget to ask the Creator for help. The Creator will guide our thoughts and
strengthen us as we work to be faithful to our sacred trust and restore harmony among all
peoples, all living creatures, and Mother Earth.
We were instructed to carry a love for one another and to show a great respect for all the
beings of this earth. In our ways spiritual consciousness is the highest form of politics.
When people cease to respect and express gratitude for these many things, then all life will
be destroyed, and human life on this planet will come to an end.
These are our times and responsibilities. Every human being has a sacred duty to protect
the welfare of our Mother Earth, from whom all life comes. In order to do this we must
recognize the enemy — the one within us. We must begin with ourselves.
We must live in harmony with the Natural World and recognize that excessive exploitation
can only lead to our own destruction. We cannot trade the welfare of our future
generations for profit now. We must abide by the Natural Law or be victims of its ultimate
reality.
We must stand together, the four sacred colors of humans, as the one family we are, in the
interest of peace.
We must abolish nuclear and conventional weapons of war.
When warriors are leaders, then you will have war. We must raise leaders of peace.
We must unite the religions of the world as the spiritual force strong enough to prevail in
peace.
It is no longer good enough to cry, “Peace.” We must act peace, live peace, and march in
peace in alliance with the people of the world.
We are the spiritual energy that is thousands times stronger than nuclear energy. Our
energy in the combined will of all people with the spirit of the Natural World, to be of one
body, one heart and one mind for peace.
We propose, as a resolution for peace, that October 24th be designated as a Day of Peace,
and a world cease-fire take place in honor of our children and the Seventh Generation to
come.”
And may it be so!
–
Paul Gallimore, Director
Long Branch Environmental Education Center
POB 369 Big Sandy Mush Creek
Leicester, NC 28748
Tel. 828.683.3662
Fax: 828.683.9211
Email: paul@longbrancheec.org
Web Site: www.LongBrancheec.org
www.paul.sustainablewnc.org