Settlement Reflections

The Pilgrims would have left England September 6/16, 1620, dropping anchor 66 days later on November 11/21. On March 21/31, 1621, the Pilgrims, who had spent that long Winter on Board the Mayflower, finally set foot upon shore in their New Home. (Dates show representations of old/new calendars.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower

Much of the "Settlement of the New World" by the Pilgrims and others from Europe seemed to be based upon the European Conqueror's assumption that Nothing was here, the Land was for the taking, and the Landscape wasn't right the way it was and therefore needed to be changed. Yet, this Land, the People and Beings who inhabited it had long Histories here far pre-dating our stepping upon these beautiful Shores.

Now, after many Centuries of our being here, our Footprints, whether by accident or design, have significantly changed the Continent within which we have made our Home. One could conclude that our "Nature Removal" project is almost complete. Yet that "Nature", which seems a concept almost Foreign to us, is the source of our Sustainability. Any destruction of it is ultimately a destruction of ourselves.

I think back to my Mother's very specific instructions of protocol in coming into the House of another only upon their invitation. "Always remember that this is Their House. Listen. Be quiet. Be respectful. Do not touch or break a thing. Take Food if it is offered to you, but do not take more than what you need." As a People, we surely did not abide by any such Rules. My Mother would have talked to us very directly in our return to our Home.

I wonder how things might have been different. I ponder 2 specific questions: What were the Customs of Native People in introducing themselves to a New Place and a Sacred Place that was Home to another? After these many Centuries of being a Destructive Force, how may those of us of European Descent who feel drawn to do so Live in this Place in a New Way which is respectful of the Traditions of the Native People? In other words, how may we live in this place as more of a Benign Presence?