SEVEN SACRED PHILOSOPHIES
OF A TRADITIONAL TSALAGI MAN
CHIEF WILLIAM HOFF – NUDA YONV
WALELU TOWNSHIP TSALAGIYI NVDAGI TRIBE
Igvyi Uwolatsvhi – First Philosophy to the Women
The cycle of Life for the Woman is the Baby, Girl, Woman, and Grandmother. These are the four directions of Life. She has been given by natural laws the ability to reproduce and bring forth Life. The most Sacred of all things is Life. Therefore All Men should treat Women with dignity and respect. Never was it our way to harm her mentally, physically, or emotionally. Tsalagi Men were never abusers. We always treated our Women with respect and understanding.
So from now on:
- I will treat Women in a sacred manner. The Great Spirit (Yowa) gave Women the responsibility for bringing new Life into the world. Life is Sacred, so I will look upon All Women in a Sacred manner.
- In our traditional ways, the Woman is the foundation of the family. She owned the home and controlled the planting fields and the children. As a Tsalagi Man I will honor her and work with her to create an atmosphere of security, harmony, and respect in the Home.
- I will refrain from any and all forms of emotional, physical, or mental abuse. If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Great Spirit for Guidance.
- I will treat All Women as if they were my own female relatives.
THIS IS MY VOW!
Taline Uwolatsvhi – Second Philosophy to the Children
As Wohali (Eagle) prepares its young to leave the nest with all the skills and knowledge they need to participate in Life, in the same manner so will I guide my children. I will use my traditional Tsalagi culture to prepare them for Life.
The most important thing I can give to my children is my Time. I spend time with them in order to learn from them and listen to them.
I will teach my children and all our tribal children to pray, as well as the importance of Respect. We are the caretakers of the children for the Great Spirit (Yowa). They are his children, not ours.
I am proud of our own Native language. I will learn the Tsalagi language as best I can and help my own children to learn it as well.
In today’s world it is easy for our children to go astray, so I will work to provide positive alternatives for them. I will teach them the Tsalagi culture and our traditional spiritual beliefs. I will encourage education and sports. I will encourage them to talk with the Elders, Clan Mothers, and Medicine Men (Anidawehi) for guidance; but mostly, I will seek to be a good role model myself. I make this commitment to my children so they will have courage and find guidance through traditional Tsalagi ways.
THIS IS MY VOW!
Tsoine Uwolatsvhi – Third Philosophy to the Family
The Great Spirit (Yowa) gave us the Family, which is the place where all teachings are handed down from grandparent, to parent, and then to the child. Our children’s behavior is a mirror of the parent’s behavior. Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Tsalagi Man to be responsible to the Family in order to fulfill the need to build a strong and balanced Tribe and Nation. By doing this, I will breach the cycle of abuse and neglect, and ensure the positive mental health of the children, even the children yet to be born or the next seven generations.
So from now on:
- I will dedicate my priorities as a Tsalagi Man to rebuilding my Family, Clan, Tribe, and Nation.
- I must never give up and leave my Family only to the Mother.
- As a Tsalagi Man, I am accountable to restore the strength of my Family. To do this, I will nurture our Family’s Spiritual, Cultural, and Social Health. I will demonstrate the Seven Grandfather teachings of Honesty, Humility, Truth, Wisdom, Love, Bravery, and Respect; but mostly I will be consistent in all that I do with them.
- I will see that the Grandparents, Community Elders, and Anidawehi play a significant role in the education of my children.
- I realize that the male and female together as partners are fundamental to our Family Life. I will listen to my mate’s counsel for our Family’s benefit, as well as for the benefit of our Tribal Nation.
Nvgine Uwolatsvhi – Fourth Philosophy to the Community
The Tsalagi Community provides many things for the Family. The most important is the sense of belonging; that is, to belong to “The People” Ani Yvwiya, and to have a place to go. Our Native Communities need to be restored to health so the future generations will be guaranteed a place to go for Culture, Spirituality, Language and Native Socializing. In the Community, the honor of one is the honor of all and the pain of one is the pain of all. I must work to strengthen recovery in all parts of my Community.
As a Tsalagi Man:
- I will give back to my Community by donating my time and talents when I am able.
- I will cultivate friendships with other Native Men for mutual support and strength.
- I will consider the effects of our choices on behalf of the next seven generations; in this way, our children and grandchildren will inherit healthy Communities.
- I will have compassion for those in my Community so that the mind changers, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our Communities will forever be free of violence.
If each of us as Tsalagi Men can do all of these things, then others will follow; ours will be a proud Community.
Hisgie Uwolatsvhi – Fifth Philosophy to the Earth
Our Mother Earth (Etsai Elohino) is the source of All Life, whether it be the plants, two – legged, four – legged, winged ones or human beings. Mother Earth is the greatest Teacher, if we listen, observe, and respect her. When we live in balance (Nutiyvna) with Mother Earth, she will recycle the things we consume and make them available to our children and to their children. As a Tsalagi Man, I must teach my children how to care for the Earth so it is there for the future generations.
So from now on:
- I realize the Earth is our Mother. I will treat her with honor and respect.
- I will honor the inter-connectedness of All things and All forms of Life.
- I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but that we belong to the Earth.
- The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands, air, and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of the natural laws and pass this knowledge on to my children.
- Mother Earth is a living entity that maintains Life. I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own Mother, so will I protect the Earth.
Sudaline Uwolatsvhi – Sixth Philosophy to the Great Spirit
As a Tsalagi Man, I realize we make no gains without the Great Spirit (Yowa) being in our lives. Neither I, nor anything I attempt to do, will work without our Creator in my Life. Being Tsalagi and being Spiritual have the same meaning. Spirituality is our gift from The Great One. This day I vow to walk the sacred medicine path of my Ancestors in balance with Mother Earth and All of Creation.
As a Tsalagi Man, I will return to the traditional and spiritual values which have guided my Ancestors for the past generations back to the beginning of time.
I will look with new eyes on the power and sacredness of our ceremonies and spiritual ways, for they are important to the very survival of our people.
We have survived and are going to grow and flourish spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings (Dadeyohvsgv) and the purpose that the Great Spirit has given us with Great Dignity.
Each new day, I will pray and ask for guidance. I will commit to walk my own sacred path in Life and will support all others in doing the same.
If I am Christian, I will be a good one. If I am traditional I will walk this road with dedication.
If each of us can do these things then others will follow.
From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy for Spirituality, seeking to know the Great Spirit’s Will.
Galiquogine Uwolatsvhi – Seventh Philosophy to Myself
I will think about what kind of person I want to be when I am an Elder. I will start developing Myself now to be this person.
I will walk with the Great Spirit (Yowa) and the grandfathers at my side. I will develop myself to remain positive. I will develop a good and balanced Mind.
I will examine myself daily to see what I did well and what I need to improve on. I will examine my strengths and weaknesses’, I will ask the Great Spirit to guide me. In this way I will develop a good and balanced Mind.
Each new day, I will listen for the Great Spirit’s voice in the wind. I will watch nature and ask to be shown a lesson which will occur on my sacred path.
I will seek out the guiding principles which guided my Ancestors. I will walk in dignity, honor and humility, conducting Myself as a Warrior.
I will seek the guidance of the Elders, Clan Mothers and Anidawehi so that I may maintain the knowledge of culture, ceremonies and songs, and so I may pass these on to the future generations.
I choose to do All these things Myself, because no one else can do them for me! My sacred path is mine and mine alone.
I understand I CAN NOT GIVE AWAY WHAT I DON’T HAVE, so I will need to commit to learn to Walk the Talk!
I wish you Tohigesesdi or Peace on Earth!
