Idea of an Ideal Government
Aboriginal Spiritual Perspective
by Lois MacDonald - Guelph
Missanbie Cree First Nations
Abstract of Theme Speech
I am a woman who lives a very simple life. The values and beliefs that were taught to me as a child by my parents are still there. However I have learned new ones to live by. Throughout my life, the journey I have been on has taken me to places that I could not imagine. These places are not exotic like Fiji, Hawaii or Thailand. The places I am talking about are here in my own back yard, where I started my journey to learn what it meant to “Walk the Red Road”. This learning journey is never ending, new people to meet and sacred places to find. Or do they find me?
Looking at the perspective of an ideal government in my opinion is and could be a great idea. Getting back to the basics of life where a community worked together and helped one another, could be one way; then again is my head up in a cloud? Am I looking at the world through rose coloured glasses? Am I so
optimistic to wish this or can it become reality.
The leaders that are voted in to represent, speak and work for us have promised through their speeches, to take on the responsibility of making sure decisions made are in the best interest for all. These decisions affect all people and not just a few. Looking after the best interest of the people they serve some-how gets lost in their world of wheeling and dealing called “politics”. How can we have an ideal government who will make decisions that would benefit everyone when their eyes are clouded with other peoples’ values and promises of great things to come?
When I look at the world today, there is so much despair, frustration, anger; I’ll get you before you get me kind of attitude. Some people not all, on this life journey forgot the basic principle of life, treat others the way you want to be treated, with respect, dignity, kindness and compassion. On my journey, I have seen people from all races being treated in a way that is not respectful; there is no kindness, dignity, or compassion. Then how can we as spiritual beings living in a physical body expect others to give respect, dignity, kindness and compassion to others if we don’t have it within ourselves because it is forgotten? There are words we First Nations call the ‘Seven Grandfather Teachings” and they are: truth, respect, humility, courage, honesty, love and wisdom. These are simple words to see, learn and at times hard to live by on a daily basis. To learn what each one means on a personal basis is not only a life time of learning, because as unique human beings, the meaning of the word would change as we grow spiritually. Also the words would hold a different meaning to someone who is from a different culture and background. However they worship if at all, the words are put in a context that relates to their faith and belief systems. It is going back to the basics of what is within oneself that counts and those precious values that we hold onto and pass down to our children. As mentioned previously, all the words will mean something different to everyone; that’s what makes us unique and special.
It is going back to the basics of what is within ourselves that counts and those precious values that we hold onto to pass down to our children. I truly believe if all people, our leaders included were to try their best to live by these seven simple words, then in time we could have an ideal government that would look after the best interest of the people they serve, from a municipal, provincial and federal level. The reality of having an ideal government can be a vision made possible only if the human race held onto the “Seven Grandfather Teachings”. Again, I am not saying individuals would have to walk away from their own values and beliefs. To fully understand what it would take to be the best person one can be is a personal journey and following their hearts. Knowing something is one thing, understanding it is another. To know the words that will help with your personal journey is one thing to understand them is another.
It is a personal journey for those who want to become the best that they could be and make change to have a better world. As mentioned previously it all starts with self and those values that were instilled in us through our life’s journey from child to adulthood that will allow us to follow our hearts. Then maybe we can pick leaders who we understand have those values and beliefs that would be able to make decisions for the good of all.
In closing, am I so optimistic to wish for an “Ideal Government” or can it become reality? Only the Creator knows for sure.