Book Review: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message

 Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr., Lee and Low Books Inc., 1995.

This book is based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation.  The message comes from the Haudenosaunee people, also known as the Iroquois who were six nations, Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora.  These are people of upper New York and Canada.  The address is still spoken at ceremonies today.  

The prayer of thanksgiving includes Mother Earth, water, green grasses, food, animals, forests, birds and their songs, four winds that clean the air, thunder beings that bring rain, sun, moon and stars, Spirit Protectors from our past and the Great Spirit.

This is very well done and can be used for qa good example of for what we should be thankful.  

Documentary Review: Native American Healing in the 21st Century

 What is the place of Indian medicine today.  I know when I lived on the reservation, Indian Doctors were very much sought at and people would sometimes travel great distance to see and Indian Doctor.  there is something to be said for spiritual health helping with overall health.  I watched this documentary a few years ago.

Native American Healing in the 21st Century.  The movie presents Native American medicine as part of holistic health.  They also talk about other forms of alternative medicine.  Much of the medicine is based on herbal medicines; but it is combined with prayer and spiritual preparation.  A combination of health treatments (General medical and medicine an) is likely to be the most successful.  The Great Spirit and oneness with the earth and the spirit are important to treating people in a holistic way.  The presentation compares Native remedies with Eastern medicine.  And the importance of keeping energies in balance. 
A basic philosophy behind their remedies is gratitude for the Creator.  This combined with and absence of bias and prejudice will lead to peace, which is perfect healing. 
This movie presents a lot of practical advise, which herb or plant treats which illness.  Common natural band-aids and cures harvested from plants.