It was the summer of 2000 in the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota that I had the pleasure of meeting Robert Big Elk. There was a spiritual gathering happening over a four day period hosted by The Spiritual Unity of Tribes. Hundreds of people from around the world came to listen, laugh, learn, love and share stories, food and beauty from their respective lands. Robert Big Elk of the Omaha Nation was one of the many wisdom keepers who shared under the arbor as well as on camera. Robert who crossed over several years ago was a renown artisan as well as a passionate advocate for Native American equal rights. Below is something Robert gave me, which I’d like to share.
The turtle is an ancient symbol created to honor the Earth. There are many Native American legends that tell of the Earth being created on the back of a turtle. It is said that the reason the turtle walks so slow is because it carries the weight of the world on its back. The turtle is a healer and a teacher that reminds us to slow down and pay more attention to all of creation around us and try to interact with the natural world. The turtle itself shows us that everything we need is within all of us. It lies in the heart of the turtle, which represents strength, endurance and longevity. As a people, we must never forget who made us. All things are sacred and holy. Our goal is to find the balance and respect that lies within each of us. The center of the turtle is our heart (the spiritual part) known as the good road, never say bad things about anyone, never be envious or jealous of anybody. In so doing, we learn how to touch and be touched with our inner life and our Mother the Earth and Turtle.
Robert Big Elk