Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Letter to the editor,

In the mid-1990’s Ernie Benedict and Brian Skidders met and invited a group of Japanese people to Akwesasne. During the following years they shared their teachings on healing, farming and spirituality with the Akwesasne community. They renovated, at their own expense, the house on Akwesasne Freedom School land on Route 37 and lived there for 2 years sharing their knowledge and healing with us. They planted gardens and shared their produce with us. The cultural exchange included a formal welcome by the Mohawk Nation leadership and ongoing discussions on each other’s culture.

Many people received Johrei from them, some on a daily basis. Johrei is a form of energy healing that brings the strength of the Creator through the Sun to bear on a person’s body to get rid of “clouds” that may be affecting a person. Results were felt by most everyone who received the Japanese individual’s help.

As the Japanese economy changed and the cost for the people to remain here got too high the 2 people who lived here were called back to Japan and Guam - Taeko and Kenji as many knew them. Still to this day, 2 or 3 people come to Akwesasne every month or 2 after the dangers of snow storms are gone to offer their healing and continue to share cultures.

As we have seen from watching the horrible disaster in Japan, the people are exceedingly polite and respectful. They openly show their respect for each other and especially their elders. Our ongoing visitors to Akwesasne have shown us how determined they are to make a better world for future generations through their healing ways. They ask for nothing in return, only that we cleanse our spirits so that the next 7 generations will have better lives.

For the many people who have experienced Johrei and the friendship of Taeko, Kenji and others we are asking that you remember their people and the struggle they are going through today. A collection is being done to be sent to the Sunbow 5 Foundation - their foundation - to help the Japanese people recover from their losses.

Raffle tickets are being sold for a beautiful Japanese Kimono made and donated by Niio Perkins. It will be on display at various locations in the community.

Please contact Lois Terrance at 518-358-2925 or Brenda Lafrance at 613-936-6923 if you would like to make a donation to Sunbow 5 Foundation for the Japanese Relief Effort.

Niawen