Systems...

Man tries to build systems to create order amongst the chaos.

It's supposed to protect, give us justice, and help those who may not be able to help themselves.

In reality these systems have failed humanity.

One could say Life is a system of its own to build strength and character.

We see systems everywhere we look: Educational Institutions, Medical Practices, Poverty and Foodshare, Child Support, Social Security, the Justice System.

Throughout time our history was built upon the fundamentals held within The Constitution, Democracy, Governments, and our Society as a whole.

But somewhere along the road the true meaning behind what these systems were created for have lost their meaning and value.

Today's society is not the same as it was 20, 30, 50 or even 100 years ago.

The Haudenosaunee created what our government's democracy was originally based upon.

But did you know the chiefs were chosen by the clan mothers. They were observed over time, and they were chosen because they put the people first before themselves.

It wasn't about ego, or selfishness, power, or greed. Traditions and values were lost when the founding fathers of this nation tried to replicate a system that truly was there for the people.

Maybe it had something to do with the way the Declaration of Independence referred to the Indigenous Peoples at that time.

We were all considered Savages, and yet today placed in a category as something else, defined by the blood quantum our people have been labeled with.

Yet when those who traveled here from other countries, or those who fought wars on our homelands we choose to continue in our ways and help others.

Our warrior blood, and Indigenous languages helped a nation that was not our own, gladly accepted our help, but violated our people, traditional ways, and treaties.

Even today during times of the pandemic when tribal health care systems sent requests for personal protective equipment they received body bags instead. 

This is not a history lesson, although many say how history can repeat itself. Maybe one day it will, maybe then systems will take a new look from another perspective and reshape the world we live in.

Maybe single mothers will receive the support they need from a missing parent who chose not to help raise their children. They say it takes a village, but where is the county or the state?

How can one individual continue to procreate and not be held reliable to help throughout those years of hardship that another individual has to bear. No way should there ever be arrears of $50,000.

When will our friends and family with mental health related issues or disabilities finally be heard and seen.

How can one individual call themselves a judge and deny those in need with limitations and a future of uncertainty and force them to live in a process that takes years to deliver any support.

We look at these people in a negative light when all they are really trying to do is survive and get through another day.

No one chooses to become a single parent with no support, No one chooses to have mental health issues, or disabilities.

Many are dealt a really bad hand at times in their lives, yet these people still get up every day and fight like hell to deal with and hopefully one day wake up without these problems.

We have gun violence in our schools, and racism found on social media and in our hometowns. When did everyone stop caring for others. What on earth happened to morals and values.

History has been made up of the good and the bad... civil rights, freedom of speech, war, protests, democracy, greed, corruption, the separation of church and state, humanitarianism, philanthropy, culture, traditions.....

There are more people now than ever scared of the police, scared of ice, scared of the government and those in power because these days anything can happen.

You can get shot reaching for your phone or wallet, you can be bullied online for not fitting in, you can be grabbed and snatched from your family detained, with no questions asked, just for the way you look.

Did you know that even to this day Ferdinand Magellan was said to have the first expedition to circumnavigate the world between 1519-1522 but he died enroute and his crew finished the journey!

I ask myself well did he then really? It was his crew that continued on his path and forged his legacy... should they not be mentioned and given credit for their part.

Juan Sebastián Elcano, his Spanish navigator should have had his name etched in history books too. Why did it take nearly 300 years to get any recognition, not even during his own lifetime.

What you read, what you see, and what is taught in schools does not always contain the whole truth or both sides to a story.

Yet life teaches us, it shapes us, we have those who step up and lead, and those who will blindly follow.

We have those who will lie, steal, and cheat, and those who will obey the law or bend a few rules.

No matter the color of the lie, it is still a lie. No matter the circumstances of your actions, you still need to answer for them and live with the consequences.

Oh, How our world could be a better place! The systems that have been created by man throughout the years may have started out in the right direction, but somewhere along the way it became broken.

I am not saying throw out these systems completely, I am saying sit down at the table, but include everyone at the table.

Listen and consider other viewpoints than your own, and always try to remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Lead from your heart not from your head, Like the Onʌyoteˀa·ka "Do all things with A Good Mind, A Good Heart, and A Strong Fire"!

We can learn from each other and work together to create a better place to live, and better systems.

"A teaspoon of honey is gathered from the life's work of 12 bees who collect from 1,000 flowers... it's hardly worth the effort but you get one of the sweetest rewards.

The only system in the entire Universe that I believe works as it was intended to is the solar system made by the hands of our Creator!