I, as a Christian, am particularly chilled and horrified by the line above: "to foster a competitive, individualistic economic mentality and a Christian faith"--!!?? In my opinion, the two are mutually exclusive! I just came home (to Kentucky) from participating in the Coast Salish Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey in Washington State. Each day, after paddling all day, canoe "pullers" and their support teams were received with great ceremony and respect, and fed as much as they could hold. At the end of the journey, the host people, Swinomish this year, fed everyone, including much of the public, who were invited to attend. For six days, the tribes and nations took their turns performing dances and songs, giving speeches and presentations, and of course, giving many gifts (including plenty of quilts and Pendleton blankets) to the host tribe, who then gave lots more gifts back to each tribe and nation. I, as a canoe puller, was honored to be invited to choose a gift from the blanket, in the manner described above. But the greatest gifts I received were gifts of love, healing, peace, and acceptance. Many knew I had just come through great personal tragedy and they showed their love in ways I have not generally found among members of the dominant society.
On Aug 17, 2011 Debbonnaire wrote:
I, as a Christian, am particularly chilled and horrified by the line above: "to foster a competitive, individualistic economic mentality and a Christian faith"--!!?? In my opinion, the two are mutually exclusive!
I just came home (to Kentucky) from participating in the Coast Salish Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey in Washington State. Each day, after paddling all day, canoe "pullers" and their support teams were received with great ceremony and respect, and fed as much as they could hold. At the end of the journey, the host people, Swinomish this year, fed everyone, including much of the public, who were invited to attend. For six days, the tribes and nations took their turns performing dances and songs, giving speeches and presentations, and of course, giving many gifts (including plenty of quilts and Pendleton blankets) to the host tribe, who then gave lots more gifts back to each tribe and nation. I, as a canoe puller, was honored to be invited to choose a gift from the blanket, in the manner described above. But the greatest gifts I received were gifts of love, healing, peace, and acceptance. Many knew I had just come through great personal tragedy and they showed their love in ways I have not generally found among members of the dominant society.