Nov. 22, 2020 ~ Learning from our Abenaki Neighbors

Melody Walker Brook taught us many valuable lessons this past Sunday, including that the ancestors are always with us, what a feather can teach us about resilience, and that creation knows you and loves you and supports you!

Melody is a citizen of the Elnu Band of the Abenaki and an educator, artist, mother, and activist. There were 41 of us all together with Melody (not counting pets who were there). We would have a hard time fitting that many of us into the Children's Chapel on a Sunday morning!

Reach out to Liza if you would like to see a recording of our time with Melody. It is 30 mins. but really worth a listen if you can spare the time. She sings some songs in Abenaki too! Wliwni, Melody! Thank you!

Continuing to learn from our Abenaki neighbors, we were honored with Bryan Blanchette as a guest musician for worship! Bryan let me ask him a few questions for the Time for All Ages. Since the topic of worship was Why We Gather: Soul Food, I included portions of our conversations that touched on gathering and food.

Time for All Ages:Gatherings, Food and Thanksgiving

Brian discusses what it mean to him to gather with others in the indigenous community, the difference between a Powwow and a gathering, and more.  

Bonus video: I couldn't leave out what I found to be also really inspiring in our conversation, when Brian discusses what it is like to be Singing New and Traditional Songs in the Abenaki Language.