Celebration of the water

Spectrum, by Kim Sollien

For the past few months our department, along with many other community members, has been fighting the good fight to keep coal-bed methane development out of our community. This past weekend Chickaloon Village chose to fight back in a different way. We decided to pray and give thanks to the water that so freely provides life to all.

Richard Martin, an Inupiaq elder and Chickaloon Council member, offered to lead us in ceremony to bless the water. Prior to the event it had been raining for days. The cloud cover was thick and heavy. I feared we would have to cancel the event, thinking that no one would come out in the rain. I sent an e-mail letting people know that if it was raining we would hold the event at another time. The next morning I was flooded with e-mails and phone calls from tribal elders and children saying "We can't cancel if it rains. What better way to celebrate the water than with rain?"

All I can say is that the Earth energies must have wanted this event to happen because as the day before the event progressed the weather lifted, the wind released its grip and the sun warmed the cool air. That night at Moose Creek, about 30 tribal and community members came together to share food, stories about water, and to prepare for the morning blessing.

We woke Saturday morning to brilliant sun, cool crisp air, a nice campfire and expectant feelings about the day. Chief Gary Harrison led us in prayer, then Richard spoke, calling our attention to the decline of the planet's water, and invited each of us to remember that we are all stewards of this land and its water. He asked us to reclaim our responsibility as stewards by taking personal and political action to protect it. The actual blessing of the water, led by Richard, was very powerful … so much so that I struggle with my words to find language to describe it and on some level I don't want to. All I can say is what we shared benefited the water as well as all creatures seen and unseen.

After the blessing the youth from Ya Ne Dah Ah School shared three Ahtna Athabascan songs honoring the natural world. While they sang it was as if the heavens opened up and angels came down to listen to them. My body rained the whole time while observing the faces of the children as they sang and danced. As they sang, I chanted to myself "thank you, thank you, thank you." Somehow I had managed to find myself here at this moment sharing in this very powerful experience with this amazing community.

After the songs Chief Gary walked us quietly to Moose Creek. Once there he and Kari Johns said another prayer, poured our collective water into the creek, and asked that the healing energy go out into the world and support all other waters in need. We then walked back to the ceremony site and shared another meal. As we sat around the fire after lunch Kari and Patricia Wade shared stories from their childhood about growing up in this area, about being native, what life was like for their parents and grandparents, and the impacts to their culture, language and way of life because of development and colonization. Their personal stories were gifts and I treasured each word they chose to share with us.

My flimsy words don't do justice to the magic that was evoked and the collective community feeling with which I left the Celebration of the Water. My body is still raining, the internal waters are still shifting, and all I can do now is give thanks that I am part of a community that recognizes the planet needs our help and is willing to come together by joining our healing energy in prayers to the earth, air, fire and water. The Chickaloon people are very special, they have a willingness and a desire to make room for everyone at their table, native and non-native alike. I feel as though it is a privilege to work for and with them. Everyday being part of the Chickaloon community I learn more about Athabascan culture, the generosity of these people, the ability of the human heart to open, and what it truly means to be part of a community of people who care for each other and are willing to come out and support each other no matter what the need is.

For me this event was far too special to stop here. So stay tuned to the Chickaloon Village because we will be holding more events such as this so more community members can have an opportunity to drink in the healing powers of community while giving thanks to the natural world.

Kim Sollien is Chickaloon Village's Environmental Program Assistant.