Steve Irwin – A “Thank You” from Your Fellow Conservationists… the Indigenous Peoples of the World
Carlos Estrella
September 07, 2006
This past week, the world has had to deal with the death of quite arguably one of the world’s greatest conservationists. By example, he demonstrated that wildlife can indeed be understood, protected and most of all, loved by all. Though many of the creatures he worked with were extremely dangerous to the layperson, he nonetheless showed us all how to appreciate all of the creatures this planet has been blessed with. He also showed ideals that the Native American Indians of North, Central and South America have held dear for generations and long before whites had set foot on this hemisphere.
From “Iron Eyes” Cody shedding a tear for the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign in the 1970’s to current fights for land, water, mineral and other rights that in the United States and beyond, indigenous peoples fight for, the “American Indian” has spent their collective existence preserving, protecting and fighting for all of the creatures that the “Great Spirit” has given us. All over the world, indigenous peoples, including those from Steve Irwin’s home of Australia, have fought for the preservation of life in all its forms. Crocodiles in Australia are no more dangerous than the ‘gators of Florida in the United States, or for that matter the Black Mamba, the Coral Snake, the multitude of poisonous spiders or the countless “dangerous” creatures that not only Steve, but also other wildlife experts like Jeff Corwin and others as well as many, many indigenous persons deal with on a daily basis with little or no harm to the creature or the observer. Preserving these lives while understanding the need for various methods of control (relocation, land preservation and even limited population controls) is essential to the survival of our planet – an ideal that Native Americans in the US and other indigenous peoples share with the late Steve Irwin as well as his lovely wife Terri and their respective families who I am sure grieve with heavy hearts this morning.
It is the hope of all indigenous peoples that the people of this planet remember the gifts we have and protect them. It is the hope of this writer that those reading this make a donation to a cause that protects the things that Steve, Terri, little Bindi, Bob, Steve’s Dad Bob and so many others have now given the ultimate sacrifice to protect. Allowing this tragedy to remain a tragedy instead of a triumph in Steve’s memory is not only sad and a waste, but also another step towards the loss of countless species, including ultimately our own.
For those who care to donate, please contact http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/ and remember to thanks the many, many people besides Steve who sacrifice everyday for the creatures who make up our planet. Also, don’t forget to say “thanks” to the “original peoples” of the country you life in, for being the “original conservationists.”
Steve-o… Bless ya’ mate! Thanks for making a difference.
From “Iron Eyes” Cody shedding a tear for the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign in the 1970’s to current fights for land, water, mineral and other rights that in the United States and beyond, indigenous peoples fight for, the “American Indian” has spent their collective existence preserving, protecting and fighting for all of the creatures that the “Great Spirit” has given us. All over the world, indigenous peoples, including those from Steve Irwin’s home of Australia, have fought for the preservation of life in all its forms. Crocodiles in Australia are no more dangerous than the ‘gators of Florida in the United States, or for that matter the Black Mamba, the Coral Snake, the multitude of poisonous spiders or the countless “dangerous” creatures that not only Steve, but also other wildlife experts like Jeff Corwin and others as well as many, many indigenous persons deal with on a daily basis with little or no harm to the creature or the observer. Preserving these lives while understanding the need for various methods of control (relocation, land preservation and even limited population controls) is essential to the survival of our planet – an ideal that Native Americans in the US and other indigenous peoples share with the late Steve Irwin as well as his lovely wife Terri and their respective families who I am sure grieve with heavy hearts this morning.
It is the hope of all indigenous peoples that the people of this planet remember the gifts we have and protect them. It is the hope of this writer that those reading this make a donation to a cause that protects the things that Steve, Terri, little Bindi, Bob, Steve’s Dad Bob and so many others have now given the ultimate sacrifice to protect. Allowing this tragedy to remain a tragedy instead of a triumph in Steve’s memory is not only sad and a waste, but also another step towards the loss of countless species, including ultimately our own.
For those who care to donate, please contact http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/ and remember to thanks the many, many people besides Steve who sacrifice everyday for the creatures who make up our planet. Also, don’t forget to say “thanks” to the “original peoples” of the country you life in, for being the “original conservationists.”
Steve-o… Bless ya’ mate! Thanks for making a difference.
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