Introduction
The January 27, 2026 meeting at the Palma Indian Nation is going to be a blessed day. It will bring the people together in prayer, unity, and communication. I envision great writers, artists, and musicians in attendance. It is meant to be.
As a fellow writer, I’d like to pass my best wishes on to you by saying, “Stand on the mountaintop and declare to yourself, ‘I am strong. I am resilient. I will survive.’”
The Greatest Gift of Communication
To me, the greatest gift of communication is prayer. A simple prayer from you to Creator. Say your prayer, then meet Creator halfway to validate, honor and cherish your prayer. What does it mean to meet Him halfway? It means through faith don’t expect Him to do everything, you have to take some responsibility for your prayer, and deep down in your heart and mind, you know it. Together, through love, you and our great Creator can achieve anything, or meet any challenge, through this gift of communication.
The Urgency of Unity
We have no choice but to unite as Indigenous people. Look at the consequences if we don’t. We must consciously put the reality of modern day colonialism; the mentality of me versus you; the failure of parallel non-systems of care versus holistic native approaches; the atmosphere of jealousy; and the white man behavior of my tribe vs your tribe aside. There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. America is Native land, always has been, always will be. Let’s unite and become one powerful force as Indigenous people.
As Native Nations, let’s look through the clear lens of true tribal sovereignty, not the blurred lens of imposed colonialism. Let us look at Native Nation treaties as a living vibrant spirit, like a respected grandpa or grandma in our family, waiting for us to wake up and pay attention to them for our own survival. Their legal force that, in many cases is downplayed and diminished, still exists today. Let us plant the seed of healing for all the people, young and old. If nothing motivates you, or your Native Nation, look at your children and grandchildren, and ask yourself, “What kind of life will they have in the future if we don’t wake up our sovereign status for justice to make meaningful change now?” Gather around me people and remember, no one is going to save our sovereign Nations but ourselves.
Indigenous Values and Beliefs
As a writer, let your prayers sustain and embolden you with the values and beliefs of our ancestors and elders to simply tell the truth from an Indigenous perspective in this modern-day world. These values run in your heart, mind and soul. In my Diné culture, the elders emphasize balance and harmony. Remember, their Indigenous wisdom isn’t just meant to be admired, it’s meant to be lived, and you are Creator’s messenger as a writer, artist or musician. He could have chosen anyone else, but He chose you to convey His message through your talent and abilities. To me, to be His messenger is an honor and a privilege.
The “Media”
I can’t even log on sometimes. What is my password? What is “Threads”? How come I have two Facebook accounts when I only created one? Why do new apps appear on my bank billing statements? What or who deleted my writings? I tried to Zoom but scared the other participants because I didn’t shave. How do you turn off Spotify? Welcome to the “media” world as it exists today. Without a doubt, it is a media madhouse, at least for me.
Contemporary “Indians” versus Traditional Natives
All of these modern-day influences have inadvertently created a category of contemporary “Indians.” This special group knows how to log on, what Threads are, can Zoom in a flash, have apps after apps, stare at their cell phone 24 hours a day, yet don’t know their own clan or where they came from as a native person.
Whether they realize or not, their Indigenous identity, values and beliefs are being stolen by these modern day “media ”influences.
On the other hand, it’s good to be a traditional native person without these modern day “media” influences. Know your clan, language, and maybe a few traditional songs to honor Creator. As an Indigenous person, look around you at His creations and blessings. They are beautiful. Mother Earth, Father Sun, the animal world, and the plant world.
Respectfully, I encourage you to not always be a contemporary “Indian.” Log off and come back to Mother Earth because, in reality, to be traditional is to be progressive among Indigenous people.
We Shall Be As One
Our spiritual leader, the great Lakota Chief Crazy Horse prophesized, “Upon suffering beyond suffering, the Red Nation shall rise again, and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A world filled with broken promises, selfishness, and separations. I see a time of seven generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again.”
In that day, there will be those among the Lakota who carry the knowledge and understanding of unity among all living things, and the young white ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom.
I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you, and I am at that place within me, we shall be as one.
Conclusion
The meeting at the Pala Indian Nation on January 27, 2026, is a door that will open an opportunity for many writers, artists and musicians to showcase their talents and abilities. The biggest regrets in life are the risks you never took, so get that book, album, poem, or song you have been sitting on going. I am your biggest cheerleader! You are a writer. You are an artist. You are a musician. Jump in these risky waters; it’s not that cold. Look out for my book later this year by the way.
My dear people, the time is now. We can’t wait for the “media” to shape the hearts and minds of our children, communities, and Tribal Nations. We must do it ourselves in a prayerful and respectful way with Creator’s knowledge and support.
Let’s stand on the mountaintop and declare: “We are strong. We are resilient. We will survive. God bless you.”
“Peace is more precious than diamonds or silver or gold.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his 1964 Nobel Prize speech.
Human Generated
