2008 Woodie Awards
Earth heals the day
Prayers and blessings spread to appreciate global harmony
Viviana Gonzalez
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News
A message of healing spiritual balance and global harmony was presented in the Nordic Lounge on Tuesday, April 22.
Anthropology teacher Adrian Novotny and guest speaker Chief Marvin Swallow guided the ceremony on Earth Day. Swallow is a part of the Rosebud reservation and used to live in South Dakota. His profession is to help heal people spiritually.
"When I met a Native American spiritual leader 15 years ago, it forever changed my life," Novotny said.
For 10 minutes, Swallow blessed the students and employees of LBCC, nature, and future generations. Sage, an incense smoke, was lit to ward off negativity. The drums were played and Swallow's wife Hiroko Swallow sang a spiritual song.
Swallow said, "Life is not a reality, only an illusion. We learn to honor, respect, love, and show generosity to one another."
Swallow also told stories about Mother Nature. He described the earth, rocks, and animals, "In the beginning of time, the Earth was a rock, which had an awareness and all of a sudden was full of despair. The sun was made so that the rock wouldn't be lonely."
Swallow also shared his paintings on a projector screen. "Ancestral Prayer" is his paintings about generations. The painting was an eagle in the dark blue night sky.
Another of his paintings as one of a Sundance tree that also represented generations. In the painting, a man and a woman look above to see the sky.
Meanwhile, Hiroko Swallow discussed her journey and told her story of spirituality.
"In Japan, we have high education. Since I was 2, I began my education. People there think a lot about education. Spirituality is very important to me. My advice is that the healing is in your heart. If you remember who you are. If you remember who you are, you are getting healed spiritually," she said.
She also discussed the sacred way she calls the "red road" and blessed the audience at the end of her speech.
Completing the ceremony, Novotny gave tobacco to Marvin Swallow as a gift of appreciation. Novotny said, "Tobacco is a sacred gift and this gift is for him."
Student Juan Sanchez said, "It was very necessary for people to be aware of the ceremony and the rituals."
Anthropology teacher Adrian Novotny and guest speaker Chief Marvin Swallow guided the ceremony on Earth Day. Swallow is a part of the Rosebud reservation and used to live in South Dakota. His profession is to help heal people spiritually.
"When I met a Native American spiritual leader 15 years ago, it forever changed my life," Novotny said.
For 10 minutes, Swallow blessed the students and employees of LBCC, nature, and future generations. Sage, an incense smoke, was lit to ward off negativity. The drums were played and Swallow's wife Hiroko Swallow sang a spiritual song.
Swallow said, "Life is not a reality, only an illusion. We learn to honor, respect, love, and show generosity to one another."
Swallow also told stories about Mother Nature. He described the earth, rocks, and animals, "In the beginning of time, the Earth was a rock, which had an awareness and all of a sudden was full of despair. The sun was made so that the rock wouldn't be lonely."
Swallow also shared his paintings on a projector screen. "Ancestral Prayer" is his paintings about generations. The painting was an eagle in the dark blue night sky.
Another of his paintings as one of a Sundance tree that also represented generations. In the painting, a man and a woman look above to see the sky.
Meanwhile, Hiroko Swallow discussed her journey and told her story of spirituality.
"In Japan, we have high education. Since I was 2, I began my education. People there think a lot about education. Spirituality is very important to me. My advice is that the healing is in your heart. If you remember who you are. If you remember who you are, you are getting healed spiritually," she said.
She also discussed the sacred way she calls the "red road" and blessed the audience at the end of her speech.
Completing the ceremony, Novotny gave tobacco to Marvin Swallow as a gift of appreciation. Novotny said, "Tobacco is a sacred gift and this gift is for him."
Student Juan Sanchez said, "It was very necessary for people to be aware of the ceremony and the rituals."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
k roze
krystal
posted 5/01/08 @ 3:50 PM PST
thats my Ate'.
k roze
krystal
posted 5/01/08 @ 3:52 PM PST
Much luv for the Native American ways of life, and marvin and hirokosan swallow.
brian
posted 7/31/08 @ 10:54 AM PST
great words
from 2 amazing people
Chief Marvin Swall and First Lady Hiroko
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