Buffalo Spirit Articles - Second Issue Buffalo Spirit Articles - Second Issue Preservation & Education Chief Adam Dick - In his own words Mary Thomas - In her own words Ruth Brass - In her own words The Medicine Wheel Why do they ride? Helping the Young Preserving Wisdom Designs recount personal achievements - Transfer of rites Long Arms - Elders warn against it Your words - comments

Phone: (780) 455-2700Fax (780) 455-7639 Email: edwind@ammsa.com Preserving Wisdom By Trina Gobért The faces of the Elders reflect beauty and wisdom, and their words send a powerful message to honor the earth and all living things. This is the passion that Mohawk documentary film-maker, Danny Beaton, bases his work upon. "I always wanted to educate people about the sacredness of the earth with the wisdom of the Elders," said Beaton. "I thought the best way to do it was by film, to reach them through television." Mohawk documentary film-maker, Danny Beaton In his third documentary film, Mohawk Wisdom Keepers, Beaton documents five Mohawk Elders discussing spiritual tradition and the need to respect the earth. The 45-year-old film-maker was born and raised in Ottawa, and his Mohawk roots from Ontario became a factor when he stopped drinking 12 years ago. "I was stoned for 19 years and I was dying. I had to stop drinking," said Beaton. "And when I stopped drinking I started thinking, and I've been a Native activist-slash-film-maker for 12 years now." Beaton's journey began when he was brought into a sacred circle of grassroots spiritual Elders in Montana called the Traditional Circle of Indian Elders and Youth. He has been with the group for 10 years and does portrait photography for them, he explained. He began traveling with his Elders and was taught about the traditional ceremonies, circles and sweats, he said. "The Elders are speaking about peace, respect, and the spirit of the water, land, and life," said Beaton. Beaton started to see how big business and governments are destroying the earth. He became obsessed about its destruction. " It became everything to me and I started talking and writing about it in 1990," he explained. "I had to speak out about mother earth. I've spoken all over, Japan, Europe, down south, everywhere, and my Elders taught me everything I know. All people are suffering. We don't have any control and the government doesn't care. It's very difficult for the Elders when people don't want to listen, and that is why I had to film them," said Beaton. Observing how the Elders were hurting and suffering because of watching all the destruction, Beaton decided to work with them to get their message out, he said. "The Elders are the only ones who know what has to be done before things will get better," said Beaton. Beaton strongly believes in the wisdom of the Elders. Everything they say in the film is about honoring mother earth and the Creator. When we do that, we will find our real strength as humans. This film is very important for Native and non-Native people, he explained. "We will receive guidance, wisdom, and protection, if we honor her," said Beaton. Beaton uses a simple style in documenting the Mohawk Elders in his film. "I thought these Elders were so beautiful, and that what they are saying is so important, that they didn't need any technical distractions from their words, or to detract from the beauty and health of their faces," said Beaton. Anyone would be stimulated just by watching them, because they are carrying the spirit of our ancestors, he explained. Beaton recognizes that traditional people are very spiritual. "Spiritual Natives understand that you have to do thanksgiving ceremonies every day. Today there is so much destruction and suffering that we need to do ceremonies all day. We have to communicate with mother earth in order for her to do her duties and care for us. The earth can't do her duties unless we honor her," said Beaton. "Every day I give thanks. I start praying when I get up. First I walk and then I give a thanksgiving address in the Mohawk way," he said. In his travels, Beaton has observed that all Native people do thanksgiving ceremonies. In Alaska, Argentina, South America and Central America, all Indians do this for mother earth. The earth can still hear the ones giving thanks and honoring her although there is all the destruction, he explained. In the opening and closing credits of his film, Beaton sings and plays the flute and drum. In 1995, he studied music privately with Comanche concert pianist Ed Wapp, at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He learned the art of transcribing vocal melodies for the Native American flute, he said. "I wanted to include these spiritual songs in my film because it is a big part of our spirit and culture," said Beaton. He has secured a three-year contract with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, which began airing the film on May 5. Other responses to the film have been positive as well. "Danny has documented an extremely important and potent film that presents insightful teachings from a wonderful group of Mohawk Elders," said Peter Starr, documentary producer of the National Film Board of Canada. The film is an important record of these teachings of ancient wisdom in relation to contemporary times and will be extremely useful for future generations, said Starr, who was also impressed with the film's technical quality and cinematography. To carry on the message, Beaton will begin filming five more Elders in his next production The Iroquois Speak Out for Mother Earth, on July 10. "Things look good for this next film," said Beaton. "It gets to the point of exhaustion to support our Native spirituality, but it is my obligation to do it. I am an Indian and I will keep talking, writing and filming about what my Elders teach me." Continue your journey