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| Interview with Principal Chief Beverly Baker Northup of the Northern Cherokee Nation of the Old Louisiana Territory. |
| "Taken from "The Trail of Tears Across Missouri" by Joan Gilbert" |
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| Comments by Principal Chief Northup: "....I would just like to ask everyone to listen to us, to look at our history, to see what we are trying to share through our culture centers. There is so much in the Indian way that can help us all. . . maybe save us all... There are religious differences among the tribes, but all know the importance of the earth... All feel brotherhood with every other kind of life... All understand that nature was perfectly balanced, that everything was here for a purpose... But humankind has been destroying the earth and other life before finding out what our Creator intended for us... it all could still be saved... It has to be saved, so we, ourselves, can survive." Although Baker-Northup is strongly committed to Christianity, she finds a lot to like in most tribal religions. They tend to center on trying to achieve inner harmony and harmony with others and with the natural world; they advocate practicing kindness and generosity, taking responsibility for others, and being unselfish, contributing members of the group. She "would like to encourage others to see the beauty in living things which our Creator has given to us. And to realize the importance of our taking care of all life." When she speaks of such things, Beverly Baker-Northup's words take on some of the ring we associate with Native American oratory. They could have been delivered by a stately white-haired chieftain but also sound right coming from a small woman in frilly shirt and blue jeans, who sits among her plants and pets, among family pictures. She is Beverly Baker-Northup, lover of family, church, and nature---a mother, grandmother, preacher's wife, and Cherokee Chief. |
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