Before the coming of the White Race, Traditional Indigenous
People valued their women highly, for it is she alone who has the ability to give life. Respecting women's power and incorporating her into all aspects of society kept everything in balance. And it was the
constant strive for balance - the perfect tension between male and female -that kept our People strong. From the time they were
little girls, women were taught their importance to the clan,
village, and tribe. When a young Cherokee girl had her first moon time, a special ceremony called an Ataniska, was held for her. Much thought and preparation went into this ceremony and it was a joyous occasion. The girl was presented with a belt of white wampum which she was to wear around her hips until she got married. Her sisters and elders gathered around her and taught her what being a woman was all about. She was counselled that she should not give herself away too cheaply for she was a prize of great value to be won by the best man. And since she would one day bring children into this world, she should choose her husband with great care. Cherokee women had great dignity born of self worth. Their moral standards were high and men and women respected each other and themselves. All that changed when the "superior race" stole the land. To do that, they had to destroy the culture of those that Creator had given it to. I often think about how it was and how it is now. Sex is a valuable marketing tool used to sell
everything from cars to hamburgers. Women are not respected and
don't even respect themselves. In this "Flash and Trash" culture we've
created, we've allowed ourselves to become little more than sex
objects to be used and discarded when we're past our "prime." Those of us who don't fit the ideals created by Hollywood, aren't deemed
"worthy." Gray hair, once a symbol of wisdom, is handled with "Loving Care." A thousand magic potions are guaranteed to erase wrinkles. Young girls starve themselves to death to be one of the "beautiful people." But no matter how beautiful the package, if the spirit inside is shriveled and rancid, then there is nothing of value. Traditional Peoples still honor the New Woman. Today it is more important than ever to do so, for when woman regains her rightful place in society, the balance will be restored. Cherokee call this the emergence of the 5th world. I urge all of you who are coming back together as tribal people to bring back your New Woman's Ceremonies. It is not the big things that will bring about the changes we're all waiting for, but the small basic understandings of who we are and how it was and will be again.
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