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Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes KInney, Native Advocate for more Human and Civil Rights for Indian Country

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CHEROKEE SPIRITUALITY

Posted on: Sep 23, 2009 at 11:07 PM EDT

Channel: Lifeways

Location: Richmond, CA

CHEROKEE SPIRITUALITY AND THE CALL FOR CREATOR'S WORLD RENEWAL MEDICINE MEDICINE

By Mike (Ali) Raccoon Eyes Kinney

As a Traditional, but urban born and raised Cherokee, I hear the spiritual call that it will soon be time for the Creator's World Renewal Medicine cycles to begin.

It is time for the People's Nation to starting walking down the Good Red Road and reconnecting with OUR own indigenous belief and value system. It now the time to reconnect ourselves to Creator and our unique World Renewal Medicine.

Now is the time to stand up like true Native men and women, as the Cherokee/Real People no longer have the luxury to be disconnected from our culture, language, history and most importantly, our spiritual and belief value system.

As a Cherokee Advocate for more Human and Civil Rights for Indian Country, I have only one driving principle: "We stand before the banner of our People, so our People may live!"

Many Cherokee today have no idea or concept of who we are as a People. It is frustrating that so many Cherokee individuals and families are so disconnected from our own living history.

In Creator's eyes, just the fact you are a Cherokee person, you are an extension of that history, even today. We have always been and always shall be what we are --Creator's Holy People.

It is important for all Cherokee to have pride in being a Cherokee. Cherokee Native Pride is not just a slogan; it is a timeless way of life.
To discover your Cherokee self is a slow, daily process of reconnecting to the Creator and our unique spiritual belief and value system.

As a Cherokee living in the so-called conquered Native land we call Turtle Island, you must live in a way that is a tribute and celebration to the Ancestors and families before you and their quest to survive, regardless of the bloodshed and genocide of the past.

We Cherokee have an expression, "With no tears in our eyes, we look boldly
ahead to the future as a People!"

In our long road from our Meso-American days, through 'Our Trail of Tears', to our forced flight to the concrete, urban cities of Turtle Island, we as a People have had a remarkable ability to reinvent ourselves in order to survive.

Now the real question remains, as Creator's Holy People, where are we headed?

Remember that since Sacred Time, Creation Time, First Man and First Woman Time, Creator made all generations of Cherokee from the past to the present and into the future as a Holy People.

CHEROKEE PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THEY WERE CREATOR'S HOLY PEOPLE FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME

Our ancestors were from the stars, so in effect we are the descendants of star children. Look at our proud Cherokee nation flag. Seven stars and one star is a seven-pointed star. In the oral traditions of our People, the Ancestors shared that we come from the star system known as the Pleiades.

In our culture, we lovingly call the seven stars 'The Boys'. Our Ancestors have stated that the Original Cherokee people came in 'flying machines' from Pleiades.

The Ancient Ones tell in our stories that the Cherokee came in massive waves of migrations to populate northern South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and the greater Southeast of the United States before pre-contact time.

We as a People in the old days of Meso-America built the great pyramid temple cities, our culture and influence connected North, Central and South America together.

As Native people, we have a strong and vibrant history of being peacekeepers, diplomats, negotiators and mediators. Our approach to Cherokee politics has held our Cherokee Nation together.

Our common sense approach and Traditional political methods have both inspired and motivated other Native nations, the Europeans and the Americans to follow suit.

The Cherokee have demonstrated our amazing influence and impact on the Americas based on our own unique spiritual and belief system.

It is imperative for Cherokee families and individuals to learn to tear away the images and stereotypes that mainstream society has placed upon us. We must also strengthen our beliefs within our families and ourselves and stand strong as a Nation. There are many who "claim to be Cherokee" and these individuals dishonor us with their acts to be "pretindians."

We can no longer attack, punish, or beat up ourselves for crimes we have never committed.

We must start to view ourselves with good self-esteem, self-worth, and self-value.

As Creator's original Holy People, this was the Creator's plan.

Rolling Thunder, Cherokee doctor and activist once stated about the presence of the Cherokee upon the Americas:

"WE WERE HERE WHEN THIS EARTH WAS YOUNG. IT SHOOK WHEN WE WALKED ON IT. THAT'S HOW ANCIENT WE ARE ON THIS LAND."

Larry Still says ...

On Thursday, Sep 24 at 2:16 AM

Commenter

Are you kidding me? This mumbo jumbo from a self-professed 'urban born and raised' traditional Cherokee is just as oxymoronic as the self-description suggest. Racoon Eyes, you represent no one but yourself and embarrass real Cherokees.

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Wind says ...

On Thursday, Sep 24 at 9:46 AM

Commenter

Larry Still, you took the words right out of my mouth! "The boys?" Give me a break. The seven stars on our flag represent the seven clans of the Cherokee people.The person who is disconnected from his culture is the one writing this new age garbage.

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Nicole says ...

On Thursday, Sep 24 at 2:09 PM

Commenter

It is true the Elders do call the 7 stars the boys, it is a well-known fact. Raccoon Eyes has written a very nice article that is very positive image of we as Cherokee. He knows our spirtiuality and culture well. Go Raccoon go!

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tom says ...

On Thursday, Sep 24 at 5:55 PM

Commenter

It is true that the Cherokee are God's Holy People, but then there is only one God no mater what you call him/her and he made us all. So that means we are all God's Holy People and not just the Cherokee. I wish we would all act like it.

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Terry says ...

On Thursday, Sep 24 at 8:42 PM

Commenter

As some one who is descended from the Cherokee I would have to say he knows a little about his heritage but not all of the symbolism. His heart is in the right place even if his facts are a little off.

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SD grouch says ...

On Friday, Sep 25 at 3:53 PM

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If this man is a fraud he will be dealt with by powers greater than anything in this world. It is unfortunate that individuals whether wannabees or actual tribal members have lied and abused people's trust under the guise of being holy people.

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Ronnie V. says ...

On Friday, Sep 25 at 5:13 PM

Commenter

I like Mike's focus on power of Cherokee spirituality. I think the bigger picture of his post is how the Creator can spiritual transform our lives as native people. There is much truth in his words.

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CrowGoodMedicine says ...

On Friday, Sep 25 at 6:08 PM

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"Urban born but raised Cherokee". W.T.F. What The F@#$ give me a break. this man, shame you, you embarrass yourself. that tooooooooooooooo funny urban born but raised Cherokee HAHAHAHAHAHAH CoonEyes

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Tinks says ...

On Saturday, Sep 26 at 2:45 AM

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OM....There is truth that we as Cherokee people need to walk on the path that our creator expects. For the creator is everything. To many times that we go our own ways and do not show the respect that is due. But, Spaceships...sheesh....

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Mitchell says ...

On Saturday, Sep 26 at 11:48 PM

Commenter

My heart aches and bleeds for the Native Americans and what we took from them. My daughter is part Cherokee. I am deeply saddened and though no apology could heal the wounds of our history - I sincerely am sorry and ashamed.

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Eric Lancaster, Sr. says ...

On Monday, Sep 28 at 12:41 PM

Commenter

Wow, that came out of left field. I don't think that Cherokee lack importance in the greater scheme of things, but let's not be so ethnocentric as to exclude everyone else.

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Skristy says ...

On Monday, Sep 28 at 4:10 PM

Commenter

As a registered member of the OK Cherokee Nation, I am SO embarrassed by people like this! I won't get too rude out of respect for this man's age, but I am sick/tired of individuals speaking on my behalf. How immodest! You do NOT speak for me!

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Anonymous says ...

On Tuesday, Sep 29 at 2:33 AM

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Just so typical of Natives, somebody writes something postive and they just have to undermine the beauty of what was being written. For myself it was very good post. I have heard of these same traditions as well.

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Chooge says ...

On Tuesday, Sep 29 at 8:33 AM

Commenter

This old white man doesn't speak for Cherokee. He needs to be put in the same category with Glen Beck, nut case. Why is it that all white people want to be Cherokee? This s**t is getting ridiculous.

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mother of Cherokee children and a Native American from the west. says ...

On Tuesday, Sep 29 at 7:28 PM

Commenter

Hey Rac.: You sound like a Hippie wanta be Cherokee. Do you have a tribal ID to prove you are cherokee. The Cherokees are from N.C. and OKa. not Califorina. Everybody claims to be a Cherokee princess etc... Give us Natives a break !

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Traditional says ...

On Wednesday, Sep 30 at 3:27 PM

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As a traditional Cherokee and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and the UKB I have to say that a lot of these comments are wrong and missed the point, He is right about being Holy people and coming from stars. The nontraditionals don't understand this

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Traditional says ...

On Wednesday, Sep 30 at 3:29 PM

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It does not matter if he has citizenship in the Cherokee Nation or not. If you are a traditional then you are a traditional no matter what race or background you are from. He is not speaking for "you" or "natives". He is speaking for traditionals.

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Traditional says ...

On Wednesday, Sep 30 at 3:33 PM

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If hearing the truth about our history and beliefs upsets you so much that you say they are not true or speak such negative words than you are not a traditional Cherokee but an American with Cherokee ancestors. What he says is true even about stars

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Chooge says ...

On Wednesday, Sep 30 at 4:15 PM

Commenter

I want to be a traditional Jew, can I go to the wailing wall and eat pork chop sandwiches? or have Cherokee hog fries to celebrate Hanika?

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OMG says ...

On Wednesday, Sep 30 at 6:49 PM

Commenter

Which is why wannabes can write articles in ICT. ICT loves wannabes because ICT staff is majority white. And anybody can read traditional stuff on the internet & forums to learn tradish ways.

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Traditional says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:18 AM

Commenter

You are right that anyone can find certain "tradish" info online but that does not mean that what he says is not true. We do not know the truth about this man, but we should know that your skin doesn't have to be brown to be a traditional.

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Traditional says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:27 AM

Commenter

Wannabe is a very strong word. It requires a lot of judgment to use. Odd how quickly it is used here. My skin is sufficiently brown so I have never been called one but I have heard light skinned traditionals called it. Very judgmental, very sad.

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Traditional says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 9:31 AM

Commenter

In my 56 years of experience I have heard the word wannabe used many times. It usually is used by Christian Natives, not traditionals, to cast judgment. Sometimes they are right and the person is a wannabe, but other times they are dead wrong.

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What the Heck? says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 11:12 AM

Commenter

I consider myself a traditional sort of guy raised in my tribal ways on my tribal lands, the guy has got something to say that must make sense to someone let him have his say it was good reading now I know about Cherokees? :) AYY...

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Deer Medicine says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 12:58 PM

Commenter

I would like to say to Raccoon Eyes thanks for the good spiritual words. There are over 120,000 Cherokee living in California. Many are and are not enrolled. Raccoon Eyes is well-known here as being a traditional spirit man.

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Deer Medicine says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 1:02 PM

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Raccoon has been a real fighter for our Real People and all Nations. How dare you lame narrow minded people sit up and attack a Native man who has been fighting for Indian Country for over a quarter of century.

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What next? says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 1:50 PM

Commenter

Many times people think that because they have native ancestory from a particular tribes it makes them native. They at times cause disruptions like this by repeating what they learned somewhere acting like this guy to make themselves appear native.

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JackO says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 3:15 PM

Commenter

what next- If he learned it, wouldn't that make him Native? Or is being Cherokee a race and not a culture or religion? So many "natives" today are caught up in the racial American/Christian view of native people. We are not a race but an ethnicity.

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Oh yah! says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 3:40 PM

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I can learn French does that make me French, you must be in the same catergory as him.

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What next says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 3:53 PM

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Jackie O, he learned Cherokee stories so he is Cherokee. I stand corrected thank-you for helping me see the light. Still alittle confused about the space thingy, but I am cool now I will not doubt this man anymore.

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JackO says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 4:59 PM

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No, I'm not saying that he defiantly is Cherokee now. My point is that just because he is from an urban setting does not mean that you should dismiss what he has to say.

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JackO says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 5:02 PM

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Those of us from "Indian" communities" understand that most "Indians" are not culturally or religiously "Cherokee" anymore. If you accept them then you probably should accept people who fight for Native rights no matter what background they are from.

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Chat Cherokee says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 5:30 PM

Commenter

There are some very strong opinions here. I did not realize that Cherokee were so controversial. You can also post your opinions at www.ChatCherokee.com On the left click on the link titled Chat:Controversial Article. Then leave your opinion.

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Raine says ...

On Thursday, Oct 1 at 5:31 PM

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Being traditional isn't about where you live, its about HOW you live. I've known him for yrs. & know Elders who respect him. These Elders don't deal with wannabes ! BTW - he was born Tsalagi, lives Tsalagi & will go to Creator as a Tsalagi !

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Standing Oak says ...

On Friday, Oct 2 at 2:42 PM

Commenter

This guy is a FRAUD...first give away, "meso-american" days....FRAUD...Nothing more needs to be said! and of course, "Cherokee" the poor Cherokee's have had more of their share of imposters, this one included!!!

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I wonder... says ...

On Friday, Oct 2 at 3:23 PM

Commenter

Would people post such negativity if he was in NC or OK and his skin was darker? I see people acting high and mighty because they're "full bloods" or whatever, only to see them all tore up at the bars, or not taking care of their kids. tradish?

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juss crap says ...

On Friday, Oct 2 at 4:41 PM

Commenter

Is Raccoon Eyes a homeless person? them kind are european pagans but always fascinated with Native Americans, stealing our culture just coz they can. Paternalism even by trailer trash.

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The Truth says ...

On Friday, Oct 2 at 5:45 PM

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Some of these responses are a perfect example of the "ugliness" in the world. I am a California Indian taught to live in the traditional way of respecting people for their own beliefs. My advice is to live your life in a "right way" respecting others

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native_hart says ...

On Saturday, Oct 3 at 10:10 AM

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Each of us lead our own lives and walk our own red road. If these words that were spoken have caused discomfort withing ourselves, then it is in ourselves that we must look to see why this has happened. It is easier to point fingers and critisize.

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Mixed -Blood says ...

On Saturday, Oct 3 at 2:12 PM

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With regards to Standing Oak comment about meso-american, he is just plain ignorant. The Cherokee built the great pyramid temple cities starting around 300 AD. You call your self Tsalagi then act like! If not you're racist against our people.

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full blood says ...

On Saturday, Oct 3 at 2:40 PM

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Always it's the Indian who has the problem, as the non's say Indians can't look "within themselves" to find the love & acceptance of culture vultures

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Mixed-Blood says ...

On Saturday, Oct 3 at 10:49 PM

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Y'know it's a shame we have so many issues against us as Cherokee people and yet were still playing the hang around the fort mentality vs my skin is darker than yours! God what garbage. I feel sorry for all you fools!

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mixed blood says ...

On Sunday, Oct 4 at 3:43 PM

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Raccoon Eyes is the spirit man!

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Windy says ...

On Wednesday, Oct 7 at 9:08 PM

Commenter

I read all the negative comments. It did not surprise me. There are 2 categories of mixed blood people. Mixed blood people w/ white skin who are tribally enrolled, tend to look down on other mixed bloods w/ same white skins who are not enrolled.

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Fred Schwartz says ...

On Tuesday, Oct 27 at 1:07 AM

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This guy is mixing a bunch of platitudes with other than Cherokee terms. Cherokee don't call it the "red road" they call it the "White Road". White being the color of peace. The Cherokee don't call the earth "Turtle Island".

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Fred Schwartz says ...

On Tuesday, Oct 27 at 1:09 AM

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Because we believe the dry land is supported on 4 threads from the "sky vault". Not carried on the back of a turtle. It was the water beatle that brought up the first mud (dry land) not a turtle. When the earth is old & worn out.

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Fred Schwartz says ...

On Tuesday, Oct 27 at 1:14 AM

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The threads will break & the earth will sink once again into the waters. There is no "renewal" plans. We didn't come from the stars. But we followed a star up from So. America into the Mississippi valley. The Mound Builders were our ancestors.

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George says ...

On Tuesday, Oct 27 at 10:06 PM

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Boy has he got it backwards. The "boys" are 7 Cherokee boys who rose up to the Sky Vault & formed the Pliedies. Not the other way arround. Cherokee were formed right here.

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Nina says ...

On Thursday, Oct 29 at 11:48 AM

Commenter

I believe he uses "red road" as a way of clarifying the idea to all Native people. "White road" is correct 4 our people, the Tsalagi, but for non Cherokee, the assumption would be white mans world.Likely the same w/turtle island.

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Tinks says ...

On Thursday, Nov 12 at 2:11 AM

Commenter

Well the way I was told, that the people of the red eyes were the mound builders and they captured and enslaved the Tsalagi to build their mounds. Regardless, of whose story is right or wrong the concept of space travel as little green men stinks.

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visitor says ...

On Tuesday, Dec 1 at 7:36 PM

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i agree! you are so right..This guy is mixing a bunch of platitudes with other than Cherokee terms. Cherokee don't call it the "red road" they call it the "White Road". White being the color of peace. The Cherokee don't call the earth "Turtle Island"

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