THE SIX CEREMONIES OF SUSTAINABILITY

Indigenous ceremonies from Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest offer vital lessons on community and balance.

- STEPHEN KIESLING

Some weeks ago, on a beautiful Saturday morning, my wife and I were hanging out by the river when a white sedan came through our gate and parked in the area designated for events.

“What's up?” my wife asked with an edge that suggested her real question: “What have you done to our day together?”

“I have no idea,” I said innocently, which wasn't exactly true.

I knew an event was upcoming: a water blessing that happens simultaneously on Mount Shasta, Mount Ashland, and here on the Rogue River at Ti'lomikh Falls. The ceremony has to do with an energetic “ley line” that is supposed to connect the three sacred sites—and was identified by the path of an osprey. But that ceremony was a week away. Or was it? Somebody had the wrong date. But who? I went to find out.

As I approached the sedan, I recognized Tim and Suzanne, two friends from salmon ceremonies we have held here in the past. Tim, ebullient as always, was bearing gifts: a wooden box that looked like a book, inside of which was an acorn-shaped carving made of mother-of-pearl and a tiny baby basket made of twigs. These were beautiful pieces that obviously took time to make, and I was moved. Meanwhile, Tim was embarrassed, wondering if he had the wrong date. Then more cars arrived, and so did an osprey, which made a spectacular dive into the river. So, we laughed—and I realized my day had changed.

It also dawned on me that I had screwed up more than just my calendar. My understanding of the local Indigenous ceremonies—and thus a major part of my quest to become an earth-indigenous elder—was wrong. Again! I felt akin to Mel Brooks in his classic comedy The History of the World: Part 1, when he plays Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with three stone tablets and 15 commandments. And then ...

Oops! Two tablets and 10 commandments!