The Beautiful Stolen Land of the Cherokee.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to do a blog on waterfalls and the beauty of the forests of Western North Carolina. At the time I did not realize the Universe would shift my direction of the blog to writing the voices of the unheard Cherokee people.
I am lucky to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. The Blue Ridge Mountains and forests of the Western North Carolina are some of the most beautiful on this Earth. I get to enjoy the many trails, overlooks, vista's and waterfalls that nature offers.
From the waterfalls of Dupont State Forest to the trails and overlooks in Pisgah National Forest, my soulmate and I love to explore and experience the amazing beauty they have to offer.
Dupont is a more recent area that we have begun to explore. You may have visited there and not realized it if you watched the movie The Last of the Mohicans. Most of the movie was filmed in Western North Carolina and the waterfall scenes took place in Dupont. We have experienced the four main waterfalls there while also hiking some of the numerous trails.
Slate Rock in Pisgah National Forest is our favorite place to hike. This year we discovered another part of the trail loop that gives a longer hike to reach the Vista. Even though the hike is longer, the majority follows along a stream and has numerous waterfalls and water crossovers. The flora and nature of this trek is more amazing and much worth the longer walk.
Once reaching the Vista, you have to experience the rock barefoot to absorb all of the minerals nature has to offer your body. While absorbing the nutrients, you are given a magnificent view of the mountains and the horizon. Off in the distance you can catch a glimpse of the Blue Ridge Parkway, winding up and down the mountainside.
I share all of this with the eyes, vision and excitement of a modern day white man. However, my spiritual journey has shown me that this land is much more amazing and beautiful if I view it for what it really is. The stolen land of the Indigenous people of this area.
Before European Settlers, or European Illegal Immigrants, set forth on the land, bringing violence and disease, this land was occupied by the Cherokee people. The Cherokee people would tell you the land actually belongs to the Universe and it was theirs to borrow as their home.
Part of the agreement with the Universe was that they would respect the land, take care of it and respect other beings of nature who lived on it. That is what they did.
But then the settlers came and drove them off the land. They put them on a march called The Trail of Tears, killing many of them. As the settlers eliminated the Cherokee and stole their land, they also damaged the essence of the land itself and the beings who lived on it. They did not understand nor would adhere to the borrowing agreement with the universe which has led to the misuse of the land and the damage it causes to the Earth that we see today.
Once I started on my spiritual journey, I started looking at my use and time on the land in a different way. As I became one with nature, my viewpoint changed. As I discovered who I really was, my viewpoint changed. As I discovered that I have Powhatan heritage in this life and that I was Powhatan in a past life, my viewpoint changed. As I discovered we are all one with the Universe and all things belong to it, my viewpoint changed.
When I go on hikes now, I stop as I approach the beginning of the trail. I reach out to the Ancestor's and the Spirits of the land and seek their permission to use it. I ask them to lead me, guide me and protect me as I journey through the land. I promise them I will honor the borrower's agreement with the universe and take care of the land as I use it.
I do these things out of respect for the Universe and out of honor to the Ancestor's who lived on and walked on the land before me.
Having this outlook when I start my hikes has led to my encounters with several Cherokee spirits on the land. I have met a couple of Cherokee families fleeing from settlers and who were trying to make it to the Smoky Mountains. I have met two Cherokee warriors who I saw coming out from behind a waterfall and walking up into the mountains. I would later meet them again and we would have a discussion together about the use of the land and their request for me to pass on the borrower's agreement to others.
The mountains of Western North Carolina are beautiful. They are my home, and they were stolen from the Cherokee. I know that. Therefore, I must respect the Ancestor's the land belonged to and honor the borrower's agreement with the Universe. I must be a voice for those Cherokee Spirits who are still occupying the land and protecting it. I will enjoy the beauty of the land and I will respect it and take care of it.
In closing, I want to honor what the Cherokee spirits told me to pass on to others who want to use the land. I want to be their voice as they requested:
Before coming onto the land recognize the Ancestor's and what they gave up .
Treat the land as if it is your home. Because it is.
Talk to the spirits, trees, plants and animals. Respect them.
Ask permission before touching or taking anything from the land .
Clean it and protect it. Let us see that you care and understand.
Enjoy the land the Universe has provided..
By Michael Walters
The Ancestor's Fire
Writing the voice of the unheard
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