The Bear's Den: "It´s Very Relative… Not to Get Above Your Raisin´"

Ah the Blackberry Moon. Sure, and this full moon gets its moniker because this is the time of this fruit´s ripening. But, it´s often called by other names, too. For instance, in many places in the northern Great Lakes, it´s known as the Sturgeon Moon. It got this title because tribes there found that August was the best time for catching sturgeon – a large fish that provides a lot of sustenance. Others know this month as the Red Moon because when the Moon rises during this time, it often appears kind´a reddish behind a sultry haze. Yeah, and some Indians call it the Green Corn Moon because corn is ripening. So, see what I mean – it´s all… relative. That´s reason enough for me to ´not…to get above my raisin´.

No, no, no – I´m not talking about that red box with the cute little girl on it called: "Sun-Maid Raisins"- uh-uh. Nah, what I mean here, when I say raisin´ is in relation to who you are, and your connections to the past, present and future… if you get my drift? Now, I was raised with a Southern upbringing; I sure know what not getting above your raising means. It´s akin to other sayings like, ´Don´t get too big for your britches´. Both mean basically the same thing: don´t think that you´re better, or even different, than you really are. I mean, everybody puts their pants on… one leg at a time – don´t they? Um-hmm, and haven´t they always? Yep, and I've got a notion that this is how it will be down the road, too. Yeah, so one of the ways that American Indians keep this simple fact in mind is with tradition. As an individual, I try to always note that as a mere two-legged, I´m no better or worse than anyone else. My ancestors, long before me, believed the same. It´s a relative thing, and I´m not just talking about your family reunion here, neither.

Agriculture was always an important part of life for American Indians of all nations. Yes´sir, and from nation to nation, traditional ceremonies denoted this. For instance, the ripening of the tame (corn) crops, in mid to late summer, is the time for the Shawnee Green Corn Dance. This annual event often coincides with the ripening of the wah-booz-omin-ahs (blackberries). Yes´um, and when the leaves begin to change, the fall harvest is another event that´s celebrated with the Shawnee Bread Dance. These traditional shindigs began as a way to show gratitude for what was provided by God; this food was vital to two-legged survival. Therefore, they became traditional. That makes them extremely ´relative´ to the Shawnee culture – see what I mean? Even though starvation is no longer tied to these crops, as it once was, these ceremonies are very important. They help us see, feel and sense ties to our grandfathers and grandmothers and to who we are as a people. Sure, and this doesn´t change as the eons pass – nope. We are as connected to our ancestors today as we are to our present day family and peers. So, being relative is what it´s all about. Yep, and that made me remember a great quote about relations:

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. ~ Shirley Abbott

Ain´t it the truth, though. We're as connected to the past as we are to the present and future. As a Traditional Shawnee Indian, I can really ´relate´ to this quote. We are all the same, and have always been so. While it´s true that individuality, as it pertains to likes or dislikes, is relative, who we are and how we should treat others and be treated supersedes any two-legged´s personal preferences. We´d be getting above our raisin´ to do so. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what your age, sex, skin color or physical ability… it´s all relative to being two-leggeds, creations of the Master of Life. The Great Mystery has made it so. As a species, I believe we two-leggeds have a tendency to think that what we do, or don´t do, affects nobody but ourselves. Such couldn´t be farther from the truth. The Great Good Spirit teaches that all life is a circle, and is, therefore… undeniably connected. If we are not ´tetched in the head´, or deliberately blind, we have to see this roundness… with every sun that we draw breath. All things are connected and have always been so. So, they are all relative – past and present, alike.

As a man, I try hard to obey country singer, Ricky Skaggs. He suggests we "Don´t get above [our] raisin". I know who I am and where I came from. And, while I can´t say for sure where I´ll end up, I do know how… I´ll be in getting there. I try to follow the example of one of our greatest Shawnee Chiefs. He once said:

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home. ~ Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee

Yeah, these words are strong and relative to everyone. They alone… are reason enough for me… ´not…to get above my raisin´.

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David Walks-As-Bear is an Inter-Tribal Elder and Kispoko Shawnee Indian. He works as a private game warden and detective and is a novelist and syndicated newspaper columnist living in Northwest Michigan. Contact him at his home paper The White Lake Beacon: 231-894-5356 or visit his website at: www.Walks-As-Bear.com

Hear David´s brief "Traditional Elder´s Reflections" Mon-Fri, after the 10:00AM and 4:00PM (EST) news on the radio. Go to: www.hometownradio.us and click WEEH-FM.

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