Anchor Your Soul
by Kenneth G. White Jr.
When all is said and done, it all comes down to our children, grandchildren, and those of you that are so blessed, our great grandchildren. We are inundated with lying political adds every day, leading up the November 8, 2022, elections.
Separate this mess from your heart, mind and soul. Anchor your soul to your children and their future well-being when participating and voting in this political process. Anchor your heart to our great Indian Nations and their future preservation and status as sacred land and sovereign entities recognized, blessed and sustained by our Creator forever. Anchor your mind to do what is right for your children and their future for many generations to come.
What does the future hold for our children when considering candidates running for office? Do these candidates even have a substantive policy for our children, or are they simply out to get your vote?
Let Indigenous wisdom prevail in your mind and heart. Crazy Horse’s prophecy speaks of seven generations, so to continue this prophecy uninterrupted, please anchor your soul to our children not the political rhetoric in the air this voting season.
Focus. Take pause and a deep breath of that cedar you hopefully are burning. As election day approaches, we all need to ask ourselves this question when dismissing the big lie, going back to day-to-day reality, and remembering democracy and voting are inherently, substantively and eternally all about our children.
This democracy was built upon the Iroquois Confederacy model. Ask yourself - What do our dear children mean to me? In this spirit and with all due respect -
What do our dear children mean to me
They are our future generation
They are our hopes and dreams
They are our destiny
That is what our dear children mean to me
They will carry on our clanship, language and history
They are our future leaders
They are blessed, born with balance and harmony
That is what our dear children mean to me
Our babies are innocent in this racist society
Their generations will fulfill Crazy Horse’s prophecy
Yes, they are our Creator’s blessing and remedy
That is what our dear children mean to me
See that little one sitting at their desk
That child may be the next leader of our Tribe
During our time of great need
That is what our dear children mean to me
Look at their beautiful smiles
Enjoy their laughter
Be their friend, confidant and mentor
They are filled with love and spirituality
That is what our dear children mean to me
Just like Martin Luther King
Annie Wauneka, Manuelito, and John F. Kennedy
I guarantee one of our children is going to make history
That is what our dear children mean to me
Hold them close to your heart
Our dear children and God are only a prayer apart
Give them all your love to the highest degree
That is what our dear children mean to me
Do not judge them love them
Do not scold them teach them
Each child is unique and one of a kind
Happy innocent healthy and free
That is what our dear children mean to me
They deserve every opportunity
They want you to listen to them
They will surprise you with the truth
Oh, how insightful a child can be
That is what our dear children mean to me
Love me for who I am
Not what you want me to be
Love me like my ancestors and elders
They are praying for me eternally
That is what our dear children mean to me
Dear teacher did you know you are
The only sober person in my life
Alcohol and drugs at home are a way of life
I feel safe here at school with just you and me
That is what our dear children mean to me
Love me hold me
Keep that alcohol and drugs far away
Teach me how to pray and I will be okay
Connect me to God Almighty please
That is what our dear children mean to me
I may be adopted or come from a broken home
But if you love me, I will not be alone
I am crying out to you
I just need a hand to hold and sincere empathy
That is what our dear children mean to me
I may live among addiction and poverty
But if you give me a chance
I will succeed
Just give me a chance unconditionally
That is what our dear children mean to me
You see children are the greatest gift from God Almighty
No matter their background or ethnicity
They are more precious than all the world’s
Silver, gold and money
They are priceless human treasures
That is what our dear children mean to me
Conclusion
Please don’t stand on the sideline, get out in your community, and vote. Vote like your life depends on it because in reality, it does.
As Dine’, as Indigenous brothers and sisters, and all ethnicities, anchor your souls to your children this voting season and forevermore. God bless you. God bless our children.