Shannondoah Buckley: 2019

Sunday, December 29, 2019

rise

May We Rise Together Shining Our Lights Bright

We Are One

Mitakuye Oyasin All Our Relations

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Indigenous Unity!

Indigenous Unity!

Now is the time for Indigenous Unity in All Ways

as We Rise Together + We Are Stronger Together!!!

My name is Shannondoah and I am Tsalagi (Cherokee). For quite a while, I’ve been meditating about Identity and Ethnicity within North American Indigenous Cultures. Plus Non-Traditional and Traditional Native American SubCultures in the U.S. today, connected to my personal experiences and also Indigenous People’s Day coming up on October 14th, which thankfully replaces Columbus Day.

My Native American family background is Non-Traditional and I am of mixed ancestries; Tsalagi, Irish, Scottish, French and Scandinavian. Tsalagi is from my Mother’s side of the family. My Father’s side of the family is from County Cork, Ireland and both of my Grandparents emigrated to NYC when they were very young. I grew up in a mixed family in every way. My Mother’s family, while of Tsalagi descent, was Non-Traditional and Protestant. My Father’s Irish family was and is Catholic. My Tsalagi Grandfather did not have the Traditional Knowledge of the Tsalagi “Old Ways” (that I knew of), he simply would remind us once in a while, who we were and where we came from. One time I remember him saying “Remember, You’re Indian”. I think he would say things like that because I was the light skinned Irish looking granddaughter, and also the first, so he would give me simple reminders so that I wouldn’t forget my roots as I began to grow older. My Tsalagi Grandfather was from the South; he grew up in Alabama, then moved to Florida and married my Grandmother, so my Mom was raised in Northern Florida. I grew up living close to My Dad’s Irish family in NYC and as I grew older I visited the South less and less. I feel my Tsalagi Grandfather wanted me to be aware of more than what I looked like, and more than just my Dad’s Irish family who we lived close to. My Mom gave me an Algonquin name, and changed the spelling a bit. The traditional name is spelled “Shenandoah”; “scind-han-do- wi” which means “spruce stream”, “great plains” or “daughter of the stars”. I really like this website which teaches about the Algonquin language http://www.native-languages.org/algonquin.htm

I grew up on the East End of Long Island, where the Shinnecock tribe lives.

The Shinnecock tribe just finally received federal recognition after 35years under the Obama Administration. Here are two great Interviews with two brilliant Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers with Candece Tarpley on Candece’s excellent show ‘Pathways to the Dream Lodge Cafe’:

Interview with Two Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers part 1

https://youtu.be/YEUtaYObf6Q

Interview with Two Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers part 2

https://youtu.be/8ce1_yhRyiA

I am proud and thankful that my life is a continual multicultural education experience. Although I grew up in a Non-Traditional Native American family, My Mom and I have been and are learning and connecting with our Tsalagi Traditional culture as well as learning about many North American Indigenous Cultural Traditions, histories, cultures, spiritualities and languages.

We are learning to walk the Old Ways of the Good Red Road and I’m teaching my 5 yr. old daughter Aspen, what I have been and am learning now. Since my Grandfather grew up in a Non-Traditional Native American family, My Mother and I plus my daughter Aspen, are not enrolled members of a Tsalagi tribe. However, we would like to be and are currently applying for Cherokee Nation enrollment. We are aware of the bureaucracies of Tribal Enrollment, however we simply want to learn more and connect to our Traditional Culture more. And we have much to offer, with our whole hearts. Some Native Americans, Non-Traditional or Traditional, do not want to be enrolled for various reasons. Tribal Enrollment is a complex and sensitive issue. I really like the website and article quoted below which talks about Tribal Enrollment:

https://minorityrights.org/minorities/native-americans/

“The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), part of the Department of Interior is the federal body charged with dealing with more than 500 reservations in mainland USA. More than 100 additional groups identify themselves as Native American, but are not officially recognized as such as they have less than the BIA's ‘blood quantum' of one-quarter Native ancestry, and so are not included in population counts or BIA services. Further, half of the Native American population do not receive direct BIA service, because they live in cities and towns, largely integrated with the general population. The US government has a financial interest in keeping the numbers of recognized Native Americans low, but critics say the right of self-identification is evident in other minorities' treatment and essential to Native sovereignty. In the past quarter-century, although the US government has restored limited recognition of Native sovereignty, government-Native relations are perhaps best described as those of internal neo-colonialism.”

I believe in Indigenous Unity in All Ways. I believe We Are Stronger Together. I believe that if we all Unite, we can create incredible, amazing positive change within our communities. And if we walk together, supporting each other with Love and Forgiveness, regardless of Nation, Tribe or Band and regardless of Non-Traditional or Traditional family backgrounds, we create a United Indigenous Power that is Infinite. We can do anything and everything, together. If totally United, We can, and Are, creating Indigenous Networks around the world that lovingly connect and communicate with each other in Harmony and Gratitude. Together, We can, and Are, creating massive Social and Political changes. While addressing serious challenges, May We Give Thanks for the Gifts of One Another in All Ways.

May We Move Forward Walking Our Hearts Paths Together. We Are One.

Love.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

identity

I am Shannondoah and I am Tsalagi.

As I return Home and learn the Old Ways; the Traditional Ways of my Indigenous Ancestors, I become whole again, honoring my holiness.

I identify as a woman of North American Indigenous descent. I am Tsalagi (Cherokee).

Spirituality is a Way of life for Indigenous people, versus an organized religion. When asked “What is your religion?”, I will now say “Earthkeeper”, as it is a contemporary word that most accurately describes my “religion”, which is a Faith in the Oneness and Inter-Connectedness of Mother Earth and All Our Relations.

I was not baptized and raised in a Christian religion, or any other ‘organized religion’. Although I was raised amongst Catholicism connected to my Irish family lineage. As well as Tsalagi from my mother, I am second generation Irish from County Cork, Ireland from my father.

I am of mixed ancestries; Tsalagi, Irish, Scottish, French and Scandinavian.

I Love and Respect all of my lineages, as well as all of the lineages of Mother Earth’s children. I believe We Are All Connected, All Our Relations, to the Divine Mother Father Creator within each of our Hearts’ Centers.

Regardless of our personal spiritual/religious choices, We are all connected to Mother Earth and to the Divine Creator within Each Other. We are All Connected.

As an Earthkeeper and Starseed Lightworker, I choose to believe in Universal Unity. I choose to walk the Beauty Way following the Holy Whole Heart’s Path.

I honor the Interconnectedness and Sacredness of All Life.

All Our Relations.

We Are One.

We Rise Together.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

tree medicine

by Shannondoah

Go to the

Trees

When you feel

lost

and Return

to yourself

Go to the

Trees

When you feel

fear

and be Blessed

with Unconditional

love

Go to the

Trees

When you feel

sorrow

and Return

feeling

Joy

Go to the

Trees

the Trees are

Medicine

https://buffalomary.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 28, 2019

seeds of love

seeds of love,
seeds of my heart
we are still here
may we all rise
and keep rising
stronger together
we
are
one

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

About

My name is Shannondoah Buckley and I am of Cherokee descent as well as Irish, Scottish, French and Scandinavian ancestries.

I Am totally “Mixed”.

Mixed Ethnicities

Mixed Ancestries

Mixed Lineages

Mixed Religions

Mixed Cultures

Mixed Heritages

Mixed Traditions

I Identify as a Woman of North American Indigenous Ancestry, I am Indian.

I am also wildly Irish, second generation emigrated from County Cork, of Rebel Freedom Fighter blood.

I honor All My Ancestors and I Give Thanks for the Blessings and for the Challenges of this life.

I am a Momma, an Artist, a Writer, and a Gardener. As well as an Energy Medicine Practitioner, Reiki Practitioner, Crystal Medicine Practitioner, Channel and Shamanistic Healer.

I’m a full time homeschooling Momma who also works from home. I’m continually choosing to decolonize myself, my family, and my lifestyle daily.

Much of my Art is Socio-Political which addresses Identity Issues, Experiences, and Social Constructs. I consider my Socio-Political Art to be ArtActivism as my art work explores and questions concepts of Identity, Culture, Social Constructions of Race, Religion, Class and Age. My perspective is Feminist, Contemporary, and “Fierce”.

I believe in Indigenous Unity Now and the Reconciliation, Resolution, and Reconnection within and with All Indigenous Communities around the world. I choose to live in Peace and Solidarity with Mother Earth and All Our Relations. My Prayers are for the Holy Wholistic Healing of this planet and all who call it home.

As well as Socio-Political art, I also make art that addresses various Eco-Political issues such as Climate Change and Urban Expansion. I draw and paint plants and animals that have been affected by Colonization; some extinct and others endangered.

I write Rumi inspired Poetry that explores the experiences of Divine Love in All its Forms. My Poetry channels the Divine Love experienced by All Our Relations. I believe that Love Heals All, and Love can Save and Heal this planet.

I am an organic gardener who is continually learning and practicing organic gardening, landscaping, medicinal gardening, small farming, SeedKeeping, permaculture, sustainability and herbalism.

I am learning everyday to be my best and to ‘walk my talk, rather that talk about my walk’. I’m focused on decolonizing myself; my body mind and soul, as much as possible, one day at a time.

I’m a work in progress.

I am stepping up as a Woman, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunty, and Friend and doing my very Best, to be my Best, for myself + As Well As+ All My Relations, All Our Relations.

I look at each New Day as an Opportunity to Grow, Learn, Transform and Evolve.

My Spirituality is my Identity; it is my life story.

Who Am I?

I’m someone who never fit in to ‘the box’, or fit any label, in any way.

I’m someone who was gifted a Multicultural name and a Multicultural family lineage of North American Indigenous, Irish and European ancestry.

I’m someone who didn’t grow up Catholic or Protestant or in any other religion for that matter. My Mother was a Flight Attendant, not a hippie.

Growing up in a small Eastern Long Island town with an Indian name and “no religion” was a unique experience.

I’m someone who stayed Strong. I’m a Survivor and now I’m a Thriver.

I believe in Love, and the Power of Love to Heal oneself, and one another;

All Our Relations.

I believe in the Radical Power of Love to Heal All.

I beleive the Most Radical Political Act one can do or be is to Be Loving, is to Be Love.

And Love does not mean saying Yes all the time...Sometimes Love is at its’ most Powerful when saying “No”.

I say Yes to Love every time.

I say Yes to Love in All Ways, Always.

My Allies are Forgiveness, Faith, Trust and Patience.

My Spiritual Teachers and Practices are varied, and are Multicultural, inspired by my life’s experiences. At a young age I was drawn to study Theology, Sociology, Anthropology, Art History and Indigenous Art History which led me to study and learn about various Indigenous Cultures and Spiritualities from around the world, as well as my own North American Indigenous and Celtic Ancestries.

My Greatest Spiritual Teachers are of Spirit and are of Divine Love.

My Greatest Spiritual Guidance comes from Spirit and comes from Within my Holy Whole Self, my Soul’s Heart Center where Everything is Blessed and Birthed and Transformed continually within the Womb of Great Mystery, of the Great Spirit within.

May We Rise Together

Stronger As One

May We Be Reminders That

We Are Still Here

May We Walk In Beauty

Shining Love

May We Light Up

the darkness

With Each Breath

May We Honor Our Ancestors

With Each Step

Releasing All That