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Tree Quilts "The trees represent helpfulness and thankfulness, and if we are to have peace in the world, we must be as the trees. The lilac doesn't order the oak tree to move over; the maple doesn't tell the birch to move over. All of the different trees stand together with their roots set deep into the same Mother Earth, each in its own place, refreshed by the same breeze, warmed by the same sun, watered and fed by the same rains. As they stand together with their arms upraised in prayer and thanksgiving, they support and protect one another against adversity. We, the sacred Creation, must remember to gather beneath the Sacred Tree of Life, that Sacred Tree of Hope, with its everlasting branches spreading across and sheltering all people." (Alice Olsen Williams) |
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"The Great Tree of Peace is a Haudenosaunee teaching of a time when there will be peace all over the Land. At the top of the tree sits the Eagle, who helps to look after all beings and takes our prayers to the Creator. Around her is the Sun, a life-giver, for without the Sun, there would be no Life. The four roots of the Sacred Tree of Peace represent the Four Directions that embody the teachings of sharing, honesty, kindness and caring, and are on the back of a turtle that represents Turtle Island. Under the roots are the weapons (crossed tomahawk and war club) of oppression that will be buried when peace comes. The patriarchal, capitalist, socioeconomic ideology that permeates the land is represented by the Canadian Parliament buildings. First Nations believe it is the Anishinaabeg who will teach the white man about the balance of the natural world, and how to live in harmony and peace with all of Creation. This dynamic is represented by the Tree of Peace growing through the Parliament buildings, and replacing them with the teachings of peace, caring, sharing and harmony.” (Alice Olsen Williams)
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