b'THINKING: GRANDMOTHERS MOVEMENTGrandmothers, says Thomas-Hill,one another and share and lift each other play a key role in this mission. Theyup, not pull each other down, explains are dedicated to all Nations becauseThomas-Hill. Grandmothers love all. As Grandmothers of Turtle Island we are playing a veryA key part of the message that important role in our childrens future.Grandmothers Voice aims to spread is The journey that we take today willtied to respecting the environmenta last for eons because it is time that therole Thomas-Hill emphasizes is critical. Grandmothers arise and share that pathIts about ensuring that all Creation can of resilience, share that path of awareness,live together and end the destructive share that path of overcoming. impact modern life is having on Staying quiet is no longer anthe natural world around option. On the contrary,us. People need to be Thomas-Hill says now isreminded of the dangers the time for Indigenousand the need to Grandmothers to shareprotect rather than their knowledge anddestroy. We have understanding. Itscome to remind a time of awakening,[people] to honour where the critical rolethe waters the played by Indigenoustrees the animals matriarchs needs to beand all life givers that acknowledged and nurtured.surround us, Thomas-Hill Who was there to hold thesays. They are our family and [children]? Traditionally it was always thenow it is our turn to look after Grandmother. It was the Grandmothersthem because they have looked after us that taught the mothers how to be mothersfor generations and generations.and it was the Grandmothers that taught the young men how to be gentlemen, howSTRONG VOICEto be ambassadors for their people, how toGail Whitlow, owner of Ancestral Voices have ethics and morals and principles. Healing Centre on the Six Nations All of these principles matter, stressesReserve, is another strong voice in the Thomas-Hill. They are all the moreglobal Grandmothers movement. She important today because there are leadershelped found Grandmothers Circle the who have fallen away from their originalEarth Foundation, a group comprised ethics, resulting in a multitude of injustices.of women across the world aiming Grandmothers can help to restoreto channel the power and the much-needed balance.wisdom of Indigenous Grandmothers are sayingGrandmothers. Whitlow we must get together, webecame involved when must share the thingsshe received a plan that we need to share tofrom an Elder in tell people how to bringNew Mexico who about the new world.had experiences Thats only throughand inspiration they love, and unconditionalwanted to share with love, because that is whatothers to help them our mother the Earth haswith their lives. shown us.By way of example, Thomas-HillWe had 13 Grandmothers points to the Two Row Wampum, whichfor that, so what we did was we went the Indigenous see as a living treaty thataround the world, Denmark, Poland, encompasses friendship, peace and respectEngland, Scotland, Ecuador, Hawaiiall between Indigenous peoples and non- over the globeand we would simply Indigenous people. In the Wampum belt,talk about the importance of using our made of white and purple Wampum shells,collective Elder knowledge to make a there are two purple rows running along- difference in the community, Whitlow side each other representing two boatssays. Our goal was just to help them thinkone a canoe, the other a Dutch ship.about their ancestors: how they lived, how They represent two peoples living togetherthey would handle different situations in peace, with respect for their respectiveand how we would accomplish getting cultures, traditions and way of life. That isthings done that hadnt been done for the way we are taught, how to walk besidemaybe centuries.Ontario Native Womens Association17'