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.