WORLDPEACE PRAYER DAY 2008 Event in
Whangarei, New Zealand
- June Report
The Falling of Tall Trees – Making Room for New Growth in our Leadership (Regeneration)
As I sit here in the early hours of the morning of 23rd June 2008, I am left to contemplate in great wonder about the deeply moving journey I have been involved in as part of Chief Arvol
Looking Horse’s World Peace and Prayer Day Celebration - WPPD 2008. |
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| My involvement with the event began when I became a part
of the organising team for WPPD 2003, to be held in Australia. Following
a spiritual vision he had experienced, Chief Arvol * created World Peace and Prayer Day as an event that would travel around the World to honour the 4 directions, at the time of Solstice in each successive year.
Chief Arvol’s journey began in Ireland in 2001, followed by South Africa in
2002, Australia in 2003, Japan in 2004, and finally the Homecoming
ceremony in South Dakota in 2005. |
| At each place, the event was supported by the indigenous
communities of each nation, as well as a large number of non-indigenous
people. My own involvement seemed only too natural, as I had made a
connection with Native American Culture in my early childhood. In
1997/98 this connection strengthened incredibly. After the near-death of
my youngest son, I began to severely question the values (or lack of
same) that have become the norm in our modern-day society. My own search
had begun for a better way of living. It was a journey back to
traditional community values – those practiced by the tribes of old,
where community was far more important than self. Before long, I began
to participate in activities designed to bring about positive social
change, especially in the young people of our Nations, by creating
programs for youth that would empower them to become the sort of leaders
so sadly needed in our World today - Leaders who have a social
conscience, and the moral fibre to make decisions for the betterment of
society. WPPD is about far more than what the name suggests. It has also
become known as ‘Honouring Sacred Sites Day’. |
 Around
the World, there are many power-points, where spiritual energy is
strong. These are sites where indigenous people have worshipped and
prayed over many generations. In these times, when there is grave
concern over global warming and the effect it is having on our lives Æ,
the return to meaningful discussion and prayer at these sites has become
increasingly important. I hasten to add that WPPD is not a religious
gathering. It is a meeting of like minds, who share a concern over what
is happening to, and on, our planet. It is amazing what can be achieved
when people of like mind meet at these places to exchange views and to
pray for the betterment of our World.
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| These past 7 days have shown me just how deeply
connected to the land many indigenous people are. I was surprised when I
found out that WPPD had continued after the 2005 ‘Homecoming’ Ceremony
in South Dakota. The event has been held at sacred sites in Alaska and
Mexico since then. When I found out that the WPPD2008 would be held in
New Zealand, the decision to attend came quickly. It was a natural
continuance of the journey I had begun in 1998 – the search for a better
way of living. The days that followed have been deeply moving for me. I
made a strong connection with the Maori people and their traditional
ways. Their way of life (and that of similar indigenous societies) has
much to offer to modern society. It is a return to values of ‘Honour’
and ‘Respect’, where each person is treated as an equal. To see each of
the visitors included as a part of their tribal ‘family’ through
elaborate ceremony was indeed a moving experience. Our hosts, the Ngatiwai tribe of New Zealand’s
Aotearoa region prepared us for the 4 days of ceremony which were to follow by
teaching us much about their traditional Maori ways. WPPD coincided with the
Maori traditional celebration of Matariki (the Maori New Year). This
coming-together further intensified the significance of the WPPD event. With
Chief Arvol’s arrival, there began a 4-day celebration focussing on the 4
elements – Air, Fire, Water, and finally Earth. It allowed the
representatives from many tribes and nations to come together and
‘weave’ themselves into one like mind. Each ceremony brought us closer
together, until the final day, June 21st. Many things happened
throughout those 4 days. Many strong friendships were built. On the
‘Earth’ day, the ceremony was held in the forest, around a sacred Totara
tree (which represents the Elders of the New Zealand Maori Nation).
There was talk that many of the Elders in indigenous nations around the
World had fallen in recent times. And so it was said that when a Totara
tree falls, an elder has fallen. But this allows in the light needed, so
that the saplings below can grow to become new strong trees (elders).
There is much need for change in our World today when we see far too
many world leaders who are focussed on little else than
self-aggrandisement, and the wealth of their individual nations – this,
at a time when poverty and suffering is extreme in so many places. WPPD
2008 (June 21st) was a day I will never forget. I |
 It
is impossible to describe the energy and goodwill that flowed amongst
those present on the day. Much less to describe the small miracles
witnessed by us all as people from different Nations offered prayers in
the final ceremony. There had been much doubt placed in Chief Arvol’s
mind about the continuance of the event. His own people have questioned
his travel overseas to the annual, continued celebrations of WPPD. Yet,
what can be more important than the creation of global unity at times
when we are facing more natural and man-made disasters (oil shortages,
financial strain, pollution) than ever before. It is the indigenous
nations who hold the keys to our survival. They were, after all, the
first human conservationists. |
| As our small group returned from the Ngatiwai’s
traditional site to the tribal leader’s home in Whangarei, the sad news came
that the Maori elder who had been the core of our induction into Maori culture
had passed away on that very day. Stan Kingi’s strong dedication to the
continuance of his people’s traditions was noted by all who participated
in the event. The wish that these strong Maori Cultural Values be
perpetuated was paramount in his mind. On the day before his passing, he
gifted his ceremonial staff to Chief Arvol, with the message that Arvol’s
work with World Peace and Prayer Day (Honouring Sacred Sites Day) must
go on. |
At a time when there is so much dis-harmony in the World, can there be any other way than for such
gatherings to continue? The location for WPPD 2009 will reveal itself in the
coming months. As for me, it was an extreme pleasure to meet Chief Arvol and the
devoted family members who accompanied him. Let no one doubt the
importance of his work.
As far as our hosts are concerned, it has been a long time since I was
treated with so much kindness. As well as my own relatives in Australia
and Germany, I am now a part of two new families – the Ngatiwai tribe in Aotearoa,
and Chief Arvol’s tribe in South Dakota. I am deeply honoured to have been
included in this way, and to have experienced the wholesome way of life
being led by these people.
I feel sure that the feelings of incredible warmth and belonging that I am still experiencing right now will remain with me for a long, long time. Bernd (Ben) Brauer 23rd June 2008 |
Note: Ben Brauer is a freelance
writer, and founder of SAPH Vision Quest Association Inc., a charitable
organisation based in South-East Queensland, Australia. SAPH Vision Quest
conducts Self-Esteem & Leadership Programs and Camps for disadvantaged and
at-risk young people. Their ‘New Beginnings’ TM Program has been instrumental in
providing young people with community-oriented values, for application
throughout the rest of their lives.
Website: http://www.saphvisionquest.com
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article may not be altered in any way without the express written permission of
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original form.
© Copyright SAPH Vision Quest 2008
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