The simple truth is that this country was founded on genocide and slavery. This is something that we are all going to have to acknowledge. Until we are able to discuss this honestly, there can be no healing. The first step in the reconciliation process is truth.

If we carry the hidden wound of the oppressor, there is often an inherent sense of guilt that exists in the forefront. This guilt prevents us from fully coming forward.

elders tended to make decisions that led to greater long-term benefit, or a more inclusive benefit for everyone involved. In a world that is driven by instant gratification,

When we trace the origins of foundational U.S. land claims, we see that they originated in religious extremism. The authority for those claims was based in religious law that sanctioned the conquest and elimination of all those who did not share their beliefs. These same foundational underpinnings are present in radical Islamic thought, where

common denominator underlies these various problems. As a society we have attempted, in one way or another, to secede from nature. We have come to believe that the ancient natural patterns that have developed across eons do not apply to us. We have severed our ties with one another as well. Our dominant cultural view, that of materialism, has also

Many people have never had the opportunity to build a relationship with the land around them.

We have to engage our activism in the same way that we build community, by being inclusive and open to new ideas. When we take a communal approach, ensuring that everyone feels valued and has access to what they need to live their lives with dignity and security, we are more likely to find lasting solutions.

warriors. However, they often lack clear purpose and direction, or they lack clear guidance. As a result, they lose focus or misplace their efforts.

We need to ensure that every child has a solid sense of belonging and kinship, developed through close contact and meaningful engagement with loving adults.