Prophecy Come True?

A modified (and most probably modernised Cree Indian proverb goes like this: "Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money."

Well for those who want to know, the original story (as re-told by Lelanie Fuller Stone) goes like this...

--- There was an old lady, from the "Cree" tribe, named "Eyes of Fire", who prophesied that one day, because of the white mans' or Yo-ne-gis' greed, there would come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer be, mankind as we would know it would all but cease to exist.

There would come a time when the "keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs" would be needed to restore us to health. They would be mankinds’ key to survival, they were the "Warriors of the Rainbow". There would come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes would form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great Spirit.

The "Warriors of the Rainbow" would spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth or "Elohi". They would teach them how to live the "Way of the Great Spirit". They would tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is "Sick".

The "Warriors of the Rainbow" would show the peoples that this "Ancient Being" (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the "Earth or Elohi" beautiful again. These Warriors would give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path right with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow would teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding. They would teach of Harmony among people in all four comers of the Earth.

Like the Ancient Tribes, they would teach the peoples how to pray to the Great Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they would be able to feel joy in solitude and in councils. They would be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. They would feel happiness enter their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race. Their hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit. They would once again fill their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would seek the beauty of the Master of Life - the Great Spirit! They would find strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of life.

Their children would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed. The rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life.

The poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives.

The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrated their love, wisdom, and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, would be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their "quality" and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and devoted "Ancient Chiefs", they would understand the people with love, and see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.

The tasks of these "Warriors of the Rainbow" are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to beauty and plenty - once more.

The day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of all tribes that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to "harmony" with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our "Key to our Survival". ---

I'm sure many of us would agree that much of the prophecy is coming true, that Man's (not just the white, but all the different races) greed is sucking the earth dry, and that wildlife is going extinct, the waters are becoming polluted and the forests are being cut down(And that reminds me of the rather sad state of 270 track of Panti Forest Reserve), and the politicians leading most countries are there because it makes them seen rich and powerful and pulsing with testosterone. But will we ever see the other half come true?

I think reading the prophecy gives me hope (although I've never been a religious or mystic-believing person and probably will never be one - too scientific, my other half snorts). The past year, I've met some really nice people, fighting tooth and nail for the betterment of the earth. These conservationists, they are the Warriors of the Rainbow. People like Louis from ACRES, Dr. Anna, Ria Tan (whom I've yet to meet) and some of the people at NUS and RMBR. But they are too few, and are like an advanced party. More will come and they have to come quick. This prophecy must come true.

I find that cultures are funny things. Often, the cultures are considered "Superior" in some way often have absolutely no, or close to no, respect for Nature. Lots of examples spring to mind. Chinese culture for example (I am ethnic Chinese by the way). The Chinese take pride in being able to cook and eat anything that moves. They harvest sharks, chop off their fins and dump them (finless) back in the sea. They keep bear farms to collect their bile, and have tried to legalise tiger farming. The Indo-Chinese believe in mystical powers of lorises (which unfortunately will manifest only if the lorises are killed and the corresponding body parts are eaten). The white man and royalty practically every "Superior" culture hunt animals just for fun. On the other hand, the cultures seen as "savages" or "barbaric" seem to have enormous respect for Nature. The North American Indians, the numerous African Tribes, the Nepalese, and Tibetans to name a few examples practically worship Nature. Unfortunately, many of them have now been corrupted by their conquerors. So we see African native guides who lead hunting trips, Indonesian indigenous people slashing and burning their forests with hopes of striking it rich. And for what? For nothing more than a few pieces of metal and paper that they call money.