Message from Chief Arvol Looking Horse

In my visit to Japan, I felt we were well received by the people, people were very generous. I was overwhelmed by the number of young people who were concerned about the environment. They were so involved and concerned.

Mt. Fuji was a powerful mountain. Being there was like being home in the Black Hills. I felt the same energy from the sacred mountain. Our ancestors have been there.

In Hiroshima, I felt that the people experienced same kind of experience as our people, their loved ones gone through similar suffering. I had a very humble feeling in Hiroshima. I have a lot of respect for people who lost lives, families who mourn for their relatives. We still have to pray for peace. The feeling of loss can't be replaced. Living in this crucial time, with earth changes, climate changes, we really have to work to bring our hearts together.

The faith and humility of the people empowered us as people. We have to walk on the sacred path on earth with our relatives. All nations, we have to pray together, as our Mother Earth is sick, global warming is in effect.

For WPPD 2005, I hope some people can make it to the Black Hills. But at the same time, at all sites around the world, recognize the sacred time of June 21. Honor AWolrd Peace, global healing will affect all person, children, to the elderly. It is about peace and unity. We have to heal together, help one another for the future of our children.

Scientists say we are at a point of no return.

When I say we have to heal together, in regards to our ceremony, the wiping of the tears ceremony to Wounded Knee, we say we can't talk with aner. We have to go through that process. We must pray, whatever in our heart that is hurting, whether it be historic or personal. We have to pray and let go, heal our hearts and speak from our hearts.

In the reservation, we are dealing with young children involved in gangs, commiting suicdie. We needt to connect with our sacred tradtion.

In WPPD regardless of our culture we have to get back to our body, still work together, in one prayer, all faith one prayer.

We need to respect each others culture, traditon whether your body is used to natural medicine, we need to get back to that.

We need to act quickly, wer are losing ground, we need everyone's attention to global warming, we need to get back to respeccting mother earth, in every little way.

Message from Linda Daney (C'upik Eskimo)

I had an experience of a lifetime while I was in Japan. We were greeted at the airport by 3 interpreters. We stayed at the airport hotel that evening which was convienent because we were extremely tired. When we went down to eat, my son fell asleep at the table after he ate. At Hiroshima, it was very hot and sunny. I enjoyed the water ceremony. We got there at the tail end of the ceremony, but we made it. The conference at the church was wonderful, my boys enjoyed interacting with the girls over there, who chase after them all night.

When we went on the bullet train, it was a memory to remember. We had people trained to pack all our suitcases in 3 minutes, while the rest of us took our seats with a number of children and a few slow elders. But we had a method to this madness. The train ride was very smooth and better than our transportation over here. What I remember most was having the wonderful cup of coffee on the train, it was one of the best coffee's I ever had!

The time we had in Fuji City was wonderful as well. We got to know our translators, and the people who put the event together. It was well planned and the ceremonial ground was very impressive. It was good to see our WPPD members who made it to the same event yearly.

The WPPD 2004 JAPAN staff did an exceptional job putting the event together. It was an enormous task to undertake and the Japan staff was phenomonal. For us, it was like being among our own peole as we look a like. I could have guessed a lot who was from where, only if they were in Alaska. We enjoyed performing for the people over there, and we'd love to do it again. My boys loved it so much they'd like to return again someday. I will always have that experience in my heart forever. I hope that someday, some of the people we meet will come here to Anchorage.

I was impressed with Japan because they love their environment and take care of it. People from Japan take good care of themselves. I was, however, disappointed to see a fast food restaurant there. But regardless it was an experience to remember. Thank You Japan WPPD staff for such a wonderful time and memories while we were there. My heart is with you all.

Message from Flordemayo (Maya)

I often think of Japan and all my travels I must say I never net such warm loving respectful individuals. I am so ever grateful the Creator granted me such a trip, to me it was like a dream of a far away place that it was so far away, but then I found myself there hearing the language seeing all those beautiful faces, the different ethnic dressing it was a dream for me because how can a person from Central America can find herself there it could have only been a vision from our ancestors.

The land of Japan is so beautiful and in the way the people take such care of the Earth is such an example for the rest of the world, I saw no titter, what respect. I saw greenhouses all over the country, I saw gardens even on rooftops what beauty, and the meticulous way and pride that was taken in individual home gardens and lawns that is always on my and I mention to people where ever I go I was impressed with the way the chewing gum was sold with papers, and to carry your own containers for personal food such consideration not to make extra garbage for the Earth. The patience that people had at the time of the ceremony with Arvol and to wait for hours under the heavy rain, where we were all being cleansed by the Spirit of the sacred waters we were all one.

There was a part of me that had wished I could have done more and to give more I pray that my presence left a little part of me in however small.

With all great respect and blessings.

Message from Jeff Condell (Ireland)

WPPD 2004 was a tremendous experience with an amazing voluntary input. I was particularly taken by the contribution and sacrifices made by the main organisers and particularly the commitment made by you and your generosity and support made in so many ways throughout. It will certainly be a very hard act to follow. The experience will remain in our hearts forever and I thanks you all from the bottom of my heart.

Message from Caroline O'Dnovan

Never having envisioned visiting Japan until the welcome invitation to joinWPPD '04 seduced me to meet with lots of indigenous peoples globally and taste the East all in one. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden had been my holiday novel to indulge in summer '03 and it took me deep into the ancient art of seduction and intrigue through image dance and provocative nuances. Little can prepare any European for the precision with which the wheels of life turn coupled with a people so gracious that you get taken aback by the openness and genuineness you receive everywhere. My experience of Japan from beginning to end was memorable by the impact the interconnection had on me from the top of Mt. Fuji to the open arms of its people. I will be back.

Message from Paula Horn (Dakota)

I wanted to take this time to send my regards and love to the women that I met on the day of the June 21 event, all the women in their moon cycle. When I speak of the Japan event, I think of all them. I recall walking in the gym and thinking their would be only a few women there and I was totally shocked at the amount of women on their moon and how much energy that was in that room. We sure had a great time singing a-re-ga-to, and the tears...whew, you knew there was a positive energy there for sure! Anyway, it is that circle in all the WPPD events that I recall the strongest, the women, yes!

Message from Loraine Fox Davis (Blackfeet elder)

To all who made this possible, I offer my deep, enduring thanks.
Our visit to Japan was a memorable experience in so many wonderful ways. I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously of their time and their hearts to make us feel welcome. From the moment we arrived we were impressed not just with your efficiency and attention to detail, but your warmth and genuine thoughtfulness.

I also want to thank the WPPD-Japan organization for providing my airfare, which enabled me to help my daughter accompany me. At sixty-six years my family was concerned about my traveling alone. I certainly enjoyed having my daughter, Roxane as my traveling companion. Besides great photography, she took care of schedules and luggage, and details which would have been stressful to me. I deeply appreciate your support in making this possible.

The WPPD staff warmly greeted us and whisked us through customs; which was a relief, as many of us were concerned about carrying eagle feathers and other objects so important to the ceremonies. After the long flight we enjoyed our first night: a feast of familiar food, as well as an introduction to Japanese cuisine, and resting in beautiful, near-by surroundings. Your careful, thoughtful planning was so evident in everything.

As an Indigenous Delegate of World Peace and Prayer Day, and a member of Wolakota Foundation, it was an honor for me to participate in this ten day event in Japan. Anytime I accompany Chief Arvol Looking Horse and his family it is an honor and participating in ceremony with so many international dignitaries was an exceptional cultural experience and opportunity.

Hiroshima touched us deeply. We stayed at a hostel run by charming Americans, whose love of Japan was apparent in everything they did. My daughter and I arose from our tatami beds at 5:00 a.m. and went for a walk as the sun rose over Hiroshima, illuminating our first day in Japan. Walking through a Japanese neighborhood instead of a business district was such a gentle, beautiful introduction. We especially enjoyed the Shinto shrines in the park nearby and were touched by their beauty. We both have long appreciated Japanese art and culture, but this was our first, and we hope not last, visit. By way of a thank you, I would like to offer a poem that I wrote that morning while looking out over the tile roofs from my bedroom window:

Hiroshima At Sunrise

Blue tiled roofs, red tiled roofs
violet hydrangeas
covering tears of devastation
Life longing for life
tears for the past, fears for the future
hearts ever opening, like beautiful blossoms

6/17/04
Dr. Nara's vision of the water ceremony was so magnificent. My son had gathered water from Two Medicine Lake; which is now part of the Glacier National Park, in Montana and is sacred to our Blackfeet Indian Nation. It was an honor to pour it as part of such a meaningful ceremony, joining waters sacred to so many nations. After the ceremony we were all delighted with the rainbow around the sun, which seemed to be blessing the event. I am still touched, remembering the beautiful simplicity and harmony of the ceremony.

In witnessing the Peace museum and the devastation caused by our government we were deeply saddened and shamed, and felt even more committed to working for peace. The fact that we had all come together in the name of peace, to honor and support peace, was in itself a bonding experience with the people of Japan and the delegates from around the world. Several times my daughter and said to each other how grateful we were to be there.

I must express my appreciation for my lovely and articulate translators. She was friendly, gracious, helpful and wise. Speaking at the Cathedral with so many delegates from such a broad variety of cultures was an honor. And the Japanese culture was so beautifully expressed. It was truly a great cultural sharing and there were deeply moving reminders of the need to protect our fragile environment.

From that enriching experience the next day we raced across the countryside in the bullet train, reveling in Japanese technology and admiring the carefully planned patterns of rice fields, tea fields and everywhere, gardens; rushing through train stations, struggling with luggage and language, and enjoying the wonderment of it all. Our thanks to the WPPD staff and the others who kept us laughing and ensured our safe arrival at our destination.

The next morning, to arise and seek a view of Mt. Fuji! Through rain and fog we walked from the Lodge up a rural country road and just as we were about to give up and turn back...there She was. That great, sacred Mother mountain. We too live at the foot of a great Mother mountain, called by the Navajo, Sisnaajini, meaning Changing Woman: she who changes her appearance, ( and robes ) with the changing of the seasons. No photo could ever prepare us for the first glimpse of Fujisan. Shrouded in clouds as she was, she was breathtaking. We stood in silence and awe. Thank you for that sublime moment!

The simple accommmodations at the Lodge encouraged us to feel like a big family and the friendliness of the crew just enlarged the family feeling. They were wonderful and the food was great, allowing something for every taste. We all enjoyed the surprise opening at the theater. What a warm reception by the townspeople.

And then the grand opening of WPPD. It is always dramatic and in nine years, participating in it still overwhelms me. My only regret with the schedules, and many said this, was that there were so many interesting events and by leading workshops, we missed out on so many. I guess there was no way around that. That was why we were there... The joy and enthusiasm of the volunteers remains in my heart. They were so delightful!

As a Storyteller I had the precious opportunity to spend time with Japanese children. Their sweet, innocent faces still swim in my memory. I treasure that time with them. Their delight and surprise and curiosity in my Native stories was such a dear pleasure. When I passed around some leather and beadwork I was amazed at the respect and interest of such young children.

Solstice, June 21st dawned with the wind and rain of the typhoon we had been following the news of. What an amazing thing to learn that her name was "Mother of Thunder"! Thunder is sacred to all Indigenous people. For Her to arrive on that day, of all days! How auspicious!

Even in the difficulties of the weather, we were aware that something very special was happening. When we arrived, we were told that over 2,000 people had been standing in the wind and rain for 2 hours waiting for us. We made our way to the center of the circle and from the opening song to the closing prayers we felt we were in a rarified atmosphere. The devotion and dedication of all those in the circle held the energy and for those few hours we were one in spirit and one in peace.

It was a such an honor for me to participate in the ceremony of the original people of the archipelago of Japan, the Ainu. For many years I have been interested in their culture and history. To actually be there with them, to hear their prayers and look into their eyes, to feel their pain and see their beauty...brings tears to my eyes even now.

As we left the inner circle walking through the crowd that had grown to over 5,000, some said 6,000, we, like everyone there, were thrilled to watch, Her emerge. After the ceremony ended, the rain stopped, the sun came out, the clouds parted and like a miracle, She blessed us all.

Like children, we reveled in the joy of the return of the Great Mother.
People danced and sang and laughed. We had persevered through the storm, many said She was testing us. It was so much more than just showing up for a ceremony together. It was a personal victory for each of us and a shared experience for all of us. It was the perfect ending of an exquisite adventure.

Thank you for this opportunity to remember it all once again through sharing my experience at World Peace and Prayer Day in Japan, 2004; an event I cherish, and shall always remember.

Lorain Fox Davis