"Autumn in Asheville, North Carolina"
Here we are, already in the 2007 Harvest Season in Asheville, North Carolina! Does it seem to you that this year has fled as quickly as the bunnies that hang out in your yard when your faithful dog sticks her nose out the door? It sure does to me. ..but in 2007, as I mentioned in Part I, there's a contemplative element in the air . . .
Bringing the harvest home...This is the time of the year that finds people pondering prosperity, anticipating neighborly gatherings, being thankful for living in the mountains decorated in orange and red and umber and magenta...and green. This year, eco-wise Native traditions passed down through countless generations of wisdom keepers , their origin stories, of how mountains and valleys were formed- how the rocks, the minerals, the soils collaborate to nurture us-and what makes them wash away,(soil erosion and landslides ) placing all concerned in peril, is heavy on my mind.
I'm thinking about gatherings of oh-so-many years ago, wondering about stories told of life in our bioregion --life realized in harmony with nature. The Land furnished food, material for shelter, clothing, tools and utensils, (and until De Soto came) herbs to treat every known illness.(Here's an early account) The Land was in and of itself incredibly beautiful. It still is, (as you can see by the photo I took here) although some may tell you, precariously. As a real estate professional and Land Specialist, I am paying special attention in 2007 to how Native People's teachings might positively influence us today.....putting our times in a larger context.
I can assure you, the same awe-inspiring beauty amazes my relocating clients and investors today as it must have the Indigenous Peoples... At harvest-time, the word is "bounty". Given such bounty, perhaps the great challenge in our term as stewards of the Land and Peoples is to keep it safe. What plan could make this work? Possibly, extending our vision to Native wisdom, might enable us to pick up their threads of wisdom in a contemporary tapestry.
Referring to traditional Native governing techniques, for example, we would note that villages were governed democratically. Adults gathered to discuss matters of import in the council house; members of a community sat with and learned from the Elders. Effective remedies for life in the region were introduced and applied.
And this will be the subject of Part III in this series. Will you drop by that harvest fire?
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Hi janeAnne, It is amazing how everything has changed over the years, yet so many things are unchanged.
I'm wondering what you have up your sleeve. :) I know it will be good.
janeAnne:
There is no question about the intelligence behind your thoughts; but your photos are breathtaking.
Enough to inspire a reverence for conservation....
Stephanie~
You mention that common thread...things changed, but not really..things the same, but not really...
Feels to me you are pointing out something so interesting...since possibly this is the thread that weaves wisdom and understanding into the tapestry of the history of a region. As real estate professionals, we stand at the exact place to be able to connect the best threads in the whole picture, and share the sense of place that results with our clients
Roberta~
Inspiring a reverence for nature and our conscious voice in that living arena, is a grand undertaking...one that could inspire those of us in the practice of real estate, I am thinking =)
Diane~
We are so lucky to be in the practice of real estate at this time of year. Who else gets to be surrounded with such beauty at work? =)
Hi Janeanne:
You know that the Natives gave our culture quite a bit. Some say our system government is based on the 5 nation Iroquois method abd the founders of the constitution just borrowed it from them. An interesting raed if anyone is interested is a book called Indiangivers.
Hi janeAnne, Reading this post was very refreshing. I remember a very early post I wrote about the Palaver Tree. It was a similar concept to the tribal council you mention here, but on the African continent, these discussions take place under the Palaver Tree.
Palaver colloquially speaking means trouble...Think about the power of that analogy...under the Tree whose green leaves radiate life, trouble can be dealt with and life's lessons embraced through the council and wisdom of the elders.
Barbara-Jo & Bill~
It is amazingly beautiful here in Asheville...and we are hoping here that ppossibly, extending our vision to Native wisdom, might enable us to pick up their threads of wisdom in a contemporary tapestry that will keep it as beautiful today as it was 'back then"....
Bill~
I had heard that the system of government we enjoy today was/is built on Iroquois wisdom. I will checkout the book you suggest, THX!
Lola~
You commented,, "...under the Tree whose green leaves radiate life, trouble can be dealt with and life's lessons embraced through the council and wisdom of the elders..." and I felt understood...now to take it to the next level...bringing that understanding to contemporary life...that-may be our task...and as real estate professionals, we may be in a perfect place to help...
Hi JaneAnne -
Referring to traditional Native governing techniques, for example, we would note that villages were governed democratically. Adults gathered to discuss matters of import in the council house; members of a community sat with and learned from the Elders. Effective remedies for life in the region were introduced and applied.
I will drop by that harvest fire! It seems to me, especially with what has happened in Michigan Government in recent weeks, this is how our system was designed but it has strayed. No longer do adults gather to discuss matters...they each have their own agenda and it is not necessarily what the community wants nor can learn from. We have a great deal to learn from the Elders!
Mary~
You commented that it seems today that, in government opposing sides, "... each have their own agenda and it is not necessarily what the community wants nor can learn from..."
As real estate professionals, we have a particularly interesting window on this exact phenomenon. Check out Part III where a few remedies for the situation maybe found...
Mary~
Part III should be up by this weekend...I am wondering if I might have it contain all 3 parts...and I'm looking for one really great photo..Keep an eye out on Sunday (maybe)
janeAnne, you draw me in to this post with a deep sense of connection to those who walked before on this beautiful NC ground! I have book-marked this to explore your links when I have a little more time.
Ginger