DEFINITION OF "THE CENTER"
The concept of "THE CENTER" is critical to who we are as Native people.
It is also critical to who we are as individuals. "THE CENTER" refers to all those things that
evolve out of our experiences and adaptation to space--our very existence on this Mother Earth.
Those experiences and adaptation guide us in how we cope with life as it comes at us. They form
the basis for our self-identity, our self-worth, and self-esteem. All together, this forms the
template for our worldview (a way of "seeing" the world around us).
Teachings, such as creation myths, teaching
stories, ceremony, and other cultural expressions, tell us who we are and where we come
from. They tell us what our relationship and responsibilities are to our family, community, and
environment as well as their relationship and responsibilities are to us. By themselves, these words and concepts are "empty". They have to be reinforced--we have to earn respect before we can be treated with respect--we have to be included in community--we have to be given responsibility and act responsibly.
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