"I feel very fortunate that these values were passed on. I'm
hoping to pass them on to my children," comments Earlene, a
mother of three young children who all dance in the pow-wows. Her
children are taking classes in the Blackfoot language at school on
Peigan Reserve where she and husband Chris Crowshoe live. Son
Marcus, 9, often travels to summer pow-wows with grandparents
Allison and Earl.
On their overseas trips, Allison and Earl often meet with
aboriginal people. They find similar concerns everywhere, such as
the loss of indigenous languages and the need to teach them to the
young people. Some of the cultures have lost their dances and are
trying to bring them back.
"They get so excited to see us when we are dancing,"
says Allison.
The issue of land claims also preoccupies indigenous peoples
outside North America.
"They really get interested when we say that as Baha'is we
don't get involved in politics to be militant about it. But we
pray things will work out in agreement with the government and
us."
The Healys are also asked how they deal with discrimination.
"There again it gives us an opportunity to talk about our
Baha'i beliefs-that one of the principles is to eliminate
prejudice because we are all one."
The Healys have found a harmonious match between their Baha'i and
Indian spiritual beliefs. They find similar beliefs among
traditional peoples everywhere-that there is only one God, the
importance of nature and the community, and that all people are
one.
"The indigenous people are spiritual people. That is why they
are so open to other faiths, they respect all religions,"
says Allison.
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
