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Research & Interpretation Project
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The
first panel, called "The Creator's Dream," was designed by a twelve-year-old
girl who involved other children in the painting. It features dream
catchers and handprints of all the children who participated in the
project. Each dream catcher features one of the four colors of the races
of man. A child holds Earth Mother in a sacred way, with out-stretched
arms, indicating the earth does not belongs to us, but to our children,
who are our future. Surrounding the children are butterflies, a symbol
of beauty, hopes and dreams. Totem of joy, the hummingbird, brings its
blessing of happiness to the world. The revered eagle, messenger of
prayer, flies off to the east carrying the prayers of the world to Creator.
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| Panels
two and three illustrate our creation
story. The second
panel shows the creation of first woman, who came from the top of the
tree of life. Notice heart-shaped leaves on the branches and the mark
of duality across the trunk of the tree, the essence of masculine on the
right in harmonious balance. Turtle holds the earth on his back, hence
our name for this continent, "Turtle Island." A multitude of plant and
animal life continually springs from fertile Mother Earth. A messenger
of the Thunderbirds, redtail hawk, with wings held in a sacred way, is
ready to receive and deliver blessings of Creator. Watching over the scene
are representatives of Turtle, Turkey, and Wolf Clans. Back to top |
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Panel
three shows the continuation of first man, who came from the Tree
of Life. He is surrounded by the plant nations, four-leggeds, and
other two-leggeds who shared Mother Earth's blessings with us. |
| "The
Earth Mother," the fourth panel, shows where we come from and the sustaining
gifts the Mother gives us, from nourishing sacred corn to all-essential
water, which is the blood of the Earth Mother. Elements of earth, air,
water, and fire are in balance with the colors of the four directions
and their perspective teachings of illumination, healing, introspection,
and wisdom. All the races of man, red, yellow, black, and white, are children of the Earth. When we begin to separate ourselves by race, problems arise for this destroys balance. We are all children of the Earth Mother. Back to top |
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This
fifth panel is called "Feast and Celebration." It depicts people dancing
in thanks giving to Earth Mother for all she lovingly provides. We see
the beauty of the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash. These three
sacred plants were given to us by Creator and provided by Earth Mother.
Carried high is a medicine staff, the wheel of which represents the
Great Hoop of Life, made easier by help from the Four Directions which
intersect it. The people also give thanks for the learning tool.
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The
final panel, called "The Spirit of the Elders," shows elders teaching
children all aspects of life. The Spirit of the Ancestors is seen behind
the children. Handprints of the elders and children continue from the
first panel. When arranged in a circle the panels illustrate the Circle
of Life, showing the unity and continuity of life and our teachings.
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© 2005 - 2012 Eastern Delaware Nations
Photos by Mollie Eliot