The Cherokee ask, "Where are your women?" (a.k.a. Thinking Seven Generations ahead)

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Ya'a'teeh (Hello),

Having thought about the meaning of using wisdom and love. Coming from a tradition where women were respected, and indeed regarded with great knowledge in peacekeeping and effective in implementing these strategies, I will draw from this knowledge. I sit as a member of this council of grandmothers and warrior women in the circle of fire, as we plan for the Dine, for the people. I know that "we must plan for peace much harder than we plan for war (Lord Paddy Ashdown, the international community’s representative to Bosnia)."

Peacekeeping lessons

1) When being attacked, know you aren't creating any other person's reality, this means not taking their actions/speech personally. We cannot control the choices people make. This is liberating. How do you receive my comments not as a personal attack?

2) Our role in communicating is to listen to other's experiences, and being with them in their own experiences and supporting. Deep listening to peoples needs is at the center of the conflict, looking for a place of agreement--a common ground. This creates understanding.
*Deep listening involves seeing the beauty of the human being. What needs are not being met that this person is reflecting?

2.5) It is about restoring, and unpacking, and re-emerging.

3) Get clarification of the source of conflict. Trying in the best way, to be responsible for my speech, and knowing the intentions of speech.

4) There must be a commitment to staying present to myself, not abandoning my own emotions and needs as I help another explore their's.

5) Make time to be quiet. Practice maintaining an environment that maintains these values...discriminate what you allow into your thinking (TV shows, magazines, internet websites, etc).

Example: The need to diversify the circle is to realize it is not about you at all, it is about the circle.

Practical uses

1) Unlearn persecution, defend human rights. Remove amnesia by punishing those of worst crimes, total amnesty is a bitter blow since truth without justice can leave a bitter taste.

2) Give the prerogative to the (wo)men to decide for themselves what is their role within international rights. Can anyone effectively address poverty and inequality? Can anyone address poor diet and lack of clean water in a balanced way? Local social economic leaders need to assume responsibility of future. The people need to create their own vision from within. Third party intervention has to be understood and the third party intervenor must understand how to intervene. The one who intervenes must be prepared for equal treatment of both sides.


This is a DRAFT, I've not been clear about all ideas....still in the process of revising.