I think of some of my friends who have passed to the spirit world but are who here with me when I go to events and when I walk in my own community. My sisters, Ingred, my sister Marsha, and my sister Nielock. All cofounders of the Indigenous Women's Network with me. All long time women activists in the native community.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the enduring presence of friends and loved ones, even after they have passed away.
In this quote, Winona Laduke expresses the profound impact of her friends and sisters who have contributed to her life and activism. Despite their physical absence in this world, their spirits remain with her, guiding and inspiring her during events and in her daily life within the community. This highlights the idea that the bonds of friendship and shared purpose transcend life and death.
In practice
During a memorial event, this quote could be shared to honor those who have passed.
Ojibwe prophecy speaks of a time during the seventh fire when our people will have a choice between two paths. The first path is well-worn and scorched. The second path is new and green. It is our choice as communities and as individuals how we will proceed.
When I first came to Harvard, I thought to myself, 'What kind of an Indian am I?' because I did not grow up on a reservation. But being an Indian is a combination of things. It's your blood. It's your spirituality. And it's fighting for the Indian people.
What our Seventh Generation will have is a consequence of our actions today.
I see a lot of damage to Mother Earth. I see water being taken from creeks where water belongs to animals, not to oil companies.
In the end, there is no absence of irony: the integrity of what is sacred to Native Americans will be determined by the government that has been responsible for doing everything in its power to destroy Native American cultures.
Mother Earth needs us to keep our covenant. We will do this in courts, we will do this on our radio station, and we will commit to our descendants to work hard to protect this land and water for them. Whether you have feet, wings, fins, or roots, we are all in it together.
Friendship is not something you can learn in college or some learning institution, no one knows how to become friends you just become but if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship you haven't learned anything
In the Friend-place nothing true can be said. Let Me Just Be Here.
A friend is long sought, hardly found, and with difficulty kept.
He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleas'd he could whistle them back.
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade.
A friend in power is a friend lost.
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