MSU President Geoffry Gamble and
Henrietta Mann, Endowed Chair, Native American Studies
September 11, 2002

September 11, 2001 brought an unbelievable horror that changed our world forever. The attack on America profoundly affected residents of this great nation, as well as people from around the globe. I want to welcome you to this special gathering designed to allow each of you time to reflect, in your own way, on the last twelve months and to look forward to the future. I am very proud of this campus and of this community and applaud the efforts that have been taken to appreciate the strengths of our diversity. During the next hour, and indeed over the coming days and months, take the time to honor the lives of those who were lost on that tragic day one year ago. Take the time to say thank you to the people who work in our community every day to keep us safe. Take the time to applaud the efforts of our service people working worldwide to keep peace. Take the time to appreciate the vast knowledge and experiences of our neighbors who hail from foreign countries worldwide, and if you are from a foreign country, to share your values and heritage with those of us who are not. Finally, take the time to think about peace, for it truly does begin within each of us as individuals.

I am humbled to be a part of this memorial service in observance of the September 11, 2001 inhumane attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and upon the passengers and crewmembers of United Airlines Flight 175. As a nation we continue to walk in sorrow with a new realization that life is fragile. Today, world peace and the survival of Earth and all life continue to occupy our thoughts.

Today's commemoration was planned with those thoughts in mind and for that I would like to especially thank--President Geoffrey Gamble, Don Derryberry, Mike Jetty, the MSU students Who offered the words of wisdom, Jeni Fleming, Erik Funk, Roger Rippy and The Campus Police, The U.S. Armed Forces, and the Fire Department of Bozeman and Belgrade, Montana. Thanks also go to Jodie DeLay, Jaynee Groseth, Rolf Groseth and all the other "behind the scenes people," who planned this event. And I thank all of you who are standing in this circle of remembrance. Maxe-Hahoo! [A big thank you.]

The theme "Let Peace Begin with Me," is appropriate today and for our future as one universal human family. In the Cheyenne language of the "hearted alike people," Oahvah-nah-xhe-da-notse or Tse-oavah-nah-xhe-da-noh'e-tove, means peace. It also means calmness of mind and heart, deep quiet, stillness, and serenity of spirit.

For the Haudenosaunee, better known as Iroquois, peace means the law and law means peace. Peace and law are synonymous and are codified in their traditional government, which served as a model for the U.S. Constitution. They also are noted for the "Peace Belt" or Wampum Belt, their way of recording treaties or peace agreements. Haudenosaunee philosophy is oriented toward peace.

For the English-speaking world, peace also means calmness and serenity. It also is defined as "a state of security or order within a community provided for by law, custom or public opinion" or "harmony in human or personal relations." In international relations, peace is "the absence of war." Peace has many different meanings, but peace is a common human condition that we all strive for and cherish.

In the beginning years of a new millennium, we have the opportunity to establish a new era characterized by peace. If there is ever to be world peace, it has to begin with you and me and it has to be built upon respect.

In traditional native philosophy, there is this story about human power and potential. Creator-Great Spirit's assistant spirits recognized that humans have great power and potential but before it can be entrusted to them they must develop the maturity to handle it wisely. Consequently, the spirit powers discussed where to hide it until humans could wisely handle these great gifts. Finding no solution, they went to Creator-Great Spirit, who advised them to place it within the physical body. This is the last place that many of us look for answers or solutions.

Power and potential reside within each of you, and you each have the capacity for making this world a better place in which to live. It is important to understand that individually and collectively we carry the vision of world peace. Each of you is a human bridge of peace and hope, as well as a bridge of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is requisite for healing our hearts, minds, emotions, and human spirit. Tears also are a part of that healing process. Indigenous people, the grandparent generation of this land, have shed many tears over the acts of human brutality. Called "Diamond Water," tears are cleansing and bring the water of life back to our visions, especially those that have been clouded by fear and uncertainty for the past year.

Native grandparents teach that we need to be cautious as we walk the road of life. Walking on earth has its perils. We must watch for floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, radiation, pollution, crime, and violence. We must watch for danger that may approach in different forms from any direction of the universe.

Each of you has a purpose in life, a place in the great earth circle. You each have a sacred point of view, a place from which you observe the world. You possess the potential for solutions. You are resilient and determined enough to grow from the experiences and the challenges posed by such incidents as September 11th. Yes, our lives have been changed forever--we will never again be the same.

Thankfully, blessings have a way of balancing our harshest of realities--the blessing of experiencing a beautiful Montana sunrise or sunset; the birth of a baby who holds the promise of tomorrow; life itself; parents, family and friends; the happiness and laughter of children, and enduring love. Each day we can still face the eastern horizon to greet the sun, which brings light and life-giving warmth. The moon and stars light the night sky as they have since the beginning of time. The four seasons continue to flow in their eternal cycle, and the four winds still blow across the beautiful sacred landscape that is America.

Understanding that the potential for peace lives within each of us is a wonderful discovery and affirmation of our humanity. Peacefulness has to be integrated into one's way of life, in every thought and every action. Being respectful is a necessary first step. Respect, the medicine of earth, is necessary in the search for the human and fearless heart. We must have a correct relationship with all things in our environment.

Patience is another human quality that must be developed, since it teaches one how to slow down, to become quiet, calm, and balanced. We also need to honor the blessings that we have been given--the breath of life, our five senses, and the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water.

Furthermore, each of us is responsible for maintaining peace. We each must responsibly carry out our sacred, personal, educational, or professional roles, and just be the best person one can be. We need to take care of the space we each occupy on the Circle of Life, so that we allow nothing to disrupt our state of tranquillity, serenity, and calmness. Ultimately, we are responsible for tomorrow and for allowing the future to live. It is, therefore, important for each of us to find the place where happiness lives so that we can paint a living picture of a peaceful tomorrow.

We must all reclaim the vision we owned before our national tragedy and gently and lovingly bring our disillusioned selves home to the present. Such tragedy has brought about a new inner awareness--we have come fully alert, our inner potential has been awakened. We must learn life lessons from our tragic experience of one year ago. We must look for new opportunities in a changed environment, and create a non-threatening safe space for all our relations and ourselves on this ground that is still sacred.

Earth Grandmother still holds us lovingly in her arms. She continues to hold forth the eternal flame of hope, in much the same way that human hope lives in the heart. She dreams of inner peace and world peace. She knows with certainty that we possess the power and inner potential to "Let Peace Begin With [You] and Me." We are her dreamwalker children and grandchildren, whom she has always loved and will continue to love until the end of time. Her dream and my dream for you and all you love is Oavah-nah-xhe-da-notse or Tse-aovah-nah-xhe-da-noh'e-tove [Peace] in your heart, mind, spirit, and the world.

MAY IT BE PEACEFUL ABOVE YOU.

MAY IT BE PEACEFUL BELOW YOU.

MAY IT BE PEACEFUL ALL AR OUND YOU.

IN PEACE, IT IS FINISHED.