Tim Id sat shyly waiting his turn for a trim.  Soon, Madge waved him over.  Like all good hairdressers, Madge is a good listener.  And even though Tim’s a quiet guy, Madge is usually able to coax a conversation out of him.  Such was the case this time.  “Nobody seems to be paying attention or doing much about the climate emergency we’re in,” Tim began.  “New high temperature records continue to be broken and devastating severe weather events keep multiplying.  It’s costing…” 

        The door swung open.  A burly, rough-looking fellow stepped in and surveyed the layout.  “The name’s Don.  Can a guy get a hair cut here?” he asked curtly. “Sure, have a seat; you’re next,” Madge smiled back. “Now Tim, what were you saying?”
Tim glanced nervously at Don and lowered his voice to almost a whisper. “It’s just that I think we need the government and businesses to step up in addressing this problem.”  Tim glanced cautiously at Don, pretty sure he was eavesdropping.  Then partially covering his mouth, Tim continued, “But everything’s so political these days, it’s kinda scary to say anything,”

        Madge stopped abruptly and stepped over to the magazine rack.  Finding the paper she was looking for, she dropped a copy of The Guardian in Tim’s lap.  Tim read snippets aloud.  “A global survey of 125 countries found that 89% of folks think their governments should do more to fight the climate crisis.  A majority would chip in 1% of their monthly income to support that cause.  Nevertheless, in the U.S. almost 80% of congressional staffers underestimate people’s support for limits on carbon emissions.  There’s a huge disconnect in what people want and what congress members are hearing!

        “In a corroborating study the Yale Climate Poll finds that 75% or more of Americans support: 1. More renewable energy research 2. Generating renewable energy on public lands, and 3. Tax rebates for clean energy vehicles and solar panels,” Tim concluded.
        Suddenly, Don marched over, eyeing Tim critically. “I couldn’t help overhearing… I’m with you Bro!” he roared pumping Tim’s hand. “It’s time we all spoke up,” Don Beesheye announced.  Ima Withhew poked her head from under the hair dryer. “Go get ‘em young man!” she cheered.  Madge Oritty nodded in agreement. “Because guys, remember; this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.” 

        “In the outside world, people who are celebrating life events can look forward to receiving presents.  In the Potawatomi way, this expectation is turned upside down.  It is the honored one who gives the gifts, who piles the blanket high to share good fortune.  Wealth among traditional people is measured by having enough to give away.  Hoarding the gift, we become constipated with wealth, bloated with possessions.

        In a culture of gratitude, everyone knows that gifts will follow the circle of reciprocity and flow back to you again.  Both the honor of giving and the humility of receiving are necessary halves of the equation.  We dance in a circle, not in a line.
In Potawatomi, we speak of the land as “emingoyak”: that which has been given to us.  In English, we speak of the land as “natural resources” or “ecosystem services,” as if the lives of other beings were our property, the earth an open pit mine.  We are all bound by a covenant of reciprocity: plant breath for animal breath, winter and summer, predator and prey, grass and fire, night and day, living and dying.  Soil and rocks know they are dancing in a continuous giveaway of making, unmaking, and making again the earth.

        Our elders say that ceremony is the way we can remember to remember.  In the dance of the giveaway, remember that the earth is a gift that we must pass on, just as it came to us.  When we forget, the dances we’ll need will be for mourning.  For the passing of polar bears, the silence of cranes, for the death of rivers and the memory of snow.

         The moral covenant of reciprocity calls us to honor our responsibilities for all we have been given, for all that we have taken.  It’s our turn now, long overdue. Let us hold a giveaway for Mother Earth, spread our blankets out for her and pile them high with gifts.  Gifts of mind , hands, heart, voice and vision all offered up on behalf of the earth.  Whatever our gift, we are called to give it and dance for the renewal of the world.  In return for the privilege of breath.”

        After all, this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.  A belated Happy Earth Week!