Who Is the Guardian Warrior? by Tamarack Song "Timber Nigger!" "Spear an Indian, save a Walleye!" "Hey Geronimo, get a job!" The crowd closed in on us. We were surrounded. We didn't have to see the beer cans in their hands; we could smell the alcohol on their breath. A wall of signs, echoing their epithets, surrounded us, forcing us to huddle tighter and tighter around the boat landing. Even though a stone, or beer can, or wad of spit might come flying our way we dared not react, less we detonate the bomb that engulfed us. We were a group of four dozen Natives and supporters, exercising our treaty right to continue the tradition of spearing fish during the spring spawning season. They were 200 or more Northwoods sportsmen and women who came to protest. A half-dozen spearers just went out in their boats after a ceremony, honoring the spirit of the fish, smudging the spearers and their equipment. Around their dinghies swirled the speedboats of protesters, trying to create waves big enough to capsize the small boats. Sandwiched between water and seething crowd we had no option but to maintain our presence. We stood tall and yet non-threatening. Without making eye contact, without responding to the harassment, we maintained our presence. We spoke not a word, either among ourselves or to our tormentors. Our purpose was to give them no indication that we were intimidated, and at the same time no incentive to come down upon us. We were each painfully aware that at the least ripple in this tenuous standoff we could be literally trampled. A Drum and chanting voices far off - was it an illusion? - my desperate effort for strength and focus in the face of crisis. No, it grew louder, and heads began to turn. The swaggering and murmuring continued as six chanting drummers, surrounding a large social Drum, and followed by two dozen or so women and elders, walked through the crowd as though it did not exist. Walking straight and tall, but not arrogant, and making no eye contact or other recognition of the mob around them, they could just as well have been walking through a tranquil meadow with only the grasses to hear their song. When they reached us, we joined in the chant. Not defiantly, not boisterously, but in the spirit of a people who belong, and who will walk their given path in serenity and purpose, no matter what the adversity. We continued until the spearers came off the water, and led them out through the crowd and away from the landing without incident. I'm sometimes asked whether or not I am a Guardian Warrior. I usually hesitate with an answer because I have yet to come up with a short and easy one. That is the primary reason for this book; it is an attempted answer to the question, though it is neither short nor easy. In actuality, the Guardian as we know him is a mythical figure contrived out of our incomplete and filtered perceptions of Native Lifeway. In light of that, I would have to answer, "No," to my being a Guardian Warrior. If I had time to explain who the Guardian Warrior actually is, however, as I am doing in this book, then I would answer, "Yes." Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines a warrior as "1. a man engaged or experienced in warfare and especially in primitive warfare or the close combat of ancient or medieval times, and 2. a person of demonstrated courage, fortitude, zeal, or pugnacity." Civilized usage favors the first definition at the expense of the second. The same dictionary defines guardian as "one that guards or secures: one to whom a person or thing is committed for protection, security, or preservation. This was the meaning of "Warrior" as it was used in the Old Way. The Guardian as Webster defines him is much in evidence in the above siege of Anishinaabeg spear-fishers and their community, which took place near my home in the North Woods of Wisconsin. But the stereotypical Warrior of Western Mythology is nowhere to be found. The stereotypical image of the Warrior perpetrated by Civilization is the result of both the imbalanced life of the Native Guardian at the time that Civilization encounters him, and the Civilized culture's drive to romanticize its colonization and domination of Native Peoples. Civilized People meet the Native Guardian as the cutting edge of worldwide Native resistance to their endless march. His People, his Mother, his Lifeway are under siege; he is therefore, naturally, in constant preparedness for war. But the Guardian Warrior does not seek confrontation. To choose confrontation as a means of resolving conflict would imperil him and risk his being unavailable to continue to protect his people. And because like begets like, if he engaged in confrontation it could also lead to confrontation for his people. Confrontation is chosen only as a last resort. Civilized People know the Guardian Warrior only as a fighter because genocide is the core of their diplomacy. The Guardian is entrusted with many roles in the service of her people - she is emissary and scout, protector and provider, healer and advisor, mediator and mentor. The Guardian is sent to councils, feasts, and ceremonies to represent his people or sometimes a particular individual. Because of his training which carries him beyond himself and into the consciousness of his people, he is trusted by them to represent, speak, and negotiate for them. A master of the skills of stealth, observation, and tracking, the Guardian is relied upon to act as a scout, gathering useful information outside of the normal physical realm of their people. Normally this involves the spotting of Native plant, animal, or Earthen goods, or the locating of an advantageous trail or crossing. When his people are on the move he scouts ahead of them to ensure their safe passage. He warns them of any environmental dangers, and guides them on the best and most advantageous route, which he may not do directly, but more often through a series of elaborate but well-disguised signs which he leaves in his wake. We as a people need protection in a variety of ways. Sometimes from the weather or other natural disaster, sometimes from an "enemy," sometimes from the burdens of clan and family, and sometimes from ourselves. The Guardian is trained to serve as protector in all these various ways. In many ways he protects the state of being of his people, helping to assure a low level of stress and a high level of personal satisfaction in life. He will fill in when parents need a helping hand. He will protect and defend someone who is being persecuted or falsely accused. He will stand-up for the exploited and disadvantaged. He will protect people from their own folly, from their short-sightedness and errors of judgement. Functioning from a place of greater perspective, he is sometimes able to foresee what peril looms ahead. When a Guardian meets conflict on her mission, her high degree of training in methods of camouflage, avoidance, and deception allows her to cause the least impact upon others and their Paths. She has a highly attuned spiritual sense for the Life-force in others as being the same as that which flows through her, so she accords those who stand in her Path utmost respect and space. If there is no other way, she is also highly trained to remove them in the most efficient, least harmful way possible. When she has no choice but to fight, the Guardian does not fight against anything or anyone; she fights for things. The Way of the Guardian is the epitome of a life lived in Balance because it is the giving of the greatest gift–the gift of self. Respect describes the Guardian and all he is and does–respect of Earth and all She encompasses and respect of self. The Guardian is a highly attuned spiritual and physical being. He exemplifies the role of maleness in Native culture. Many of his characteristics are those of Native males in general. He is an element of the Native psyche; he dwells in all the People, regardless of age or gender. In my life I see myself as a Guardian Warrior in Training. The Calling We, of Civilized cultures are of a general misunderstanding as to how a Guardian comes to be. We see our various occupations as "professions," identifying categories, which we choose based upon our interest. Our considerations might include interest, skill, income earning potential, demand, family tradition. So we tend to view the roles of the Native in the same light - as professions of choice. On both counts–identification and self-selection--we are mistaken. A Native person does not have a profession; that is, she does not have one specific job which she performs every day, year in, year out, in exchange for money or livelihood. A Native person has no need of such a thing, as her means of sustenance are provided by the Earth, and her daily life is centered on those acts directly necessary to the survival of her community. A Native person does not identify her or himself as a Healer, or a Bowmaker, or a Guardian, as we would identify ourselves by profession - as a hairdresser, or an architect, or a teacher, for example. If you asked a Native his profession he might well answer that it is to serve his people. In doing so, he demonstrates a variety of skills and interests depending upon need and circumstance. For example, a woman with midwifery skills would not identify herself as a midwife because there are times when she may go for moons without being called upon to help birth a child. In the interim she might be tanning hides, making fishnets, drying food, or any of a number of other endeavors. Further, unlike in the Civilized way, a Native Guardian does not choose the special ways he serves his People. He is chosen. He may be selected by another who sees his unfolding role, or he may receive direct guidance from the Spirit World. An Elder Guardian might recognize another of his kind in a newborn, or someone may be given a prophetic dream of a youngster's destiny to be a Guardian. More often than not, the young adolescent discovers his calling through personal revelation. This may occur by way of a sign, a Vision, a near-death experience, or he may be given it on his fast to receive his Life Dream (what we commonly refer to as the Vision Quest). A Guardian, or one whose destiny is to be one, is not an adaptable person and doesn't have the option of choosing another path. Training If I can outrun someone it's not necessarily because I am faster than they are or stronger or younger, it's because I can draw upon the energy of the spirit wind and because I know how to pace myself and because I know how to breathe and place my feet to conserve energy. It is because I have trained myself to function well for long periods of time without food and water, and because I have learned to sleep in the way that gives me the sustained, the deep rest to carry on sustained activity. Such is the focus of actual Guardian training in Old Way cultures. It is not to make you bigger, stronger, faster, older, and braver, but to make you successful. In real life, this training is void of the glamorous skills depicted by Hollywood movies, popular books, and mystery-enshrouded teachers. The skills that will empower you will not inflate your ego; in fact, they will do the opposite. Far from making you feel good, they will make you feel sick. They will not give you a sense of power, they will give you a sense of humility. They will give you quickness, cunning, and energy that is actually useful, they will give you a strength that your muscles are not even capable of, the ability to see well beyond the reach of your eyes and a way to know another's thoughts and feelings as nearly as well as your own. Believe it or not, these are innate skills and abilities that each of us already has, they have just atrophied from lack of use or are not honed because of lack of training. The purpose of the training you will encounter in this book is to rectify that. The Guardian is trained to act from his Heart-of-Hearts. He controls his emotions and they serve him. The Guardian does not act out of anger, lust, or grief, and does not strike in a state of rage. When and if he finds himself in such a state, he backs off rather than striking. He knows he is out of Balance and has temporarily lost his critical sense of perspective and attunement. He does not serve when he responds from a personal place. Besides being blinded to all but his own spirit-flow, his emotions have taken control and narrowed his eyes, making him extremely vulnerable. For those of us called to be Guardians, it important to understand that our training is never complete. The Way to becoming a Guardian is continuous, without respite. There is no ideal "Guardian" which one becomes upon achieving some plateau of development. The process of becoming is more like a continuous paddle up river with ever more springs and feeder streams to discover and explore. The Path of the Guardian is similar. Even when there is no specific task at hand there is constant attention to the flow, the constant directing of energy in the most conservative, efficient, respectful and purposeful way. For the Guardian knows that the flow, the process, is all that there is, and he continually honors it. The Guardian lives on the edge, ever inquisitive, exploring, challenging the self, finding ways to give Thanks. She is continually testing her limits, honing her skills, expanding her awareness and growing in Attunement. When there is no challenge, no service, she challenges herself for the sake of the challenge. She conducts herself with integrity always. Each action is carried out as though it were her last, as though her entire reason for being was for that act, i.e., for the moment. As the Guardian becomes more empowered she becomes more gentle. The more she comes to know herself the more selfless she becomes. The more she involves herself in seeming chaos the more she becomes immersed in Balance. The Guardian in Her Circle It is important to stress that, in a Native community every person's role is valued for its essential contribution to the well-being of the group. Because of the circular nature of Native Peoples' lives, no person's role is more or less important than another's. The Civilized way, on the other hand, is structured as a pyramid, with those perceived to be most important at the top, and individuals and groups farther down the pyramid considered more expendable, nameless, faceless. Ironically, the strength of the pyramid is dependent upon the conformity of the person below to those above; without the conformity of those considered expendable, the structure crumbles. In the Old Way, the reverse is true. The Old Way is circular, rather than hierarchical, recognizing the inherent worth of all. The Circle is only as strong as it's weakest link. The independence, creativity, and initiative of each individual is encouraged, as each individual's skills and perspectives are needed in order for the Circle to thrive. The people are as organs within an organism — the liver, heart, and lungs, etc.– each contribute their unique gifts to the well-being of the whole. In the Circular way, as with the human body, the mutually beneficial results of this interdependence are synergistic. Each individual's contribution is magnified by the group such that the group's well-being, and what the group contributes back to the individual, are greater than what the individual could provide for him or herself. Thus, in a Native community all individuals are esteemed, and all individuals are encouraged to follow their personal calling and develop their unique talents to their fullest. Theirs are interdependent relationships, based upon mutual trust, respect and honoring, as opposed to the dependent and oppressive relationships which support the Civilized pyramid. Those relationships are based on obedience, conformity, and a reward-sanction system to demand support of the pyramid. There is a misperception in the dominant culture that the Guardian holds a special place of honor in a Native community. He holds a place of honor, yet so does everyone in the community. Each person is honored and valued for the roles each fulfills in service to the people. In actuality the Guardian role is no more or less honored than any other. The Many Faces of the Guardian We of the Civilized Way know the Guardian primarily by the hats he wears. In the same that if we did not know a mother personally but met her as she was about her daily tasks we might recognize her as a chauffeur, a food and clothing procurer, a youth recreation specialist, or a household maintenance provider, or perhaps a budget specialist. All of these are activities of a mother, but they only dance around a complete definition of who a mother is. The same with the Guardian. From the perspective of those of us who observe him from outside his culture we see him as a warrior, a scout, a protector, an envoy — all functions of the Guardian but they don't fully describe the Guardian. The Guardian is sometimes an envoy for his people, sometimes a scout for his people, sometimes a warrior, and sometimes a messenger. But, just as with the mother, who performs many tasks in the service of her children, any one of these tasks of the Guardian, or even all of them together, do not fully or fairly define the Guardian. The reason the Guardian is hard to label with a descriptor of a single role he might play is that his reason for being is to serve his people. In doing so he might function in any number of roles and call upon a wide variety of skills and abilities. In this sense the Guardian is defined by his people. In fact, because his role is to serve his people he is nothing without his people. He gains his support from his people, they provide for his physical needs so that he may serve, they give his emotional support and spiritual sustenance, they give definition to his life. In other words, they are his reason for being, and therefore he serves them with his entire being. His people give him the license to serve in ways which the normal person might not be allowed. He is given sanction to function outside of the guidelines or strictures that would govern other people. He is given the freedom to come and go as he needs without having to explain his movements or justify his actions. He is given exemptions from activities in order that he may carry out his mission. He is granted these exemptions and privileges without incurring the envy or animosity of others because he has the trust of his people. He has been specially selected by his people to be their Guardian and has been trained for the role for most of his life, and has passed many tests. In serving his people the Guardian serves all the people as all people have the same core needs and aspirations. All people includes the non-human people as well for they also have the same needs and aspirations. In following his honor code, which specifies that he respect the goals of other Guardians with non-interference, he helps to assure that all may aspire to Balance. Independent of his people and often unknowing of his people the Guardian will sometimes join with the Guardians of other people in order to serve the common good. Specific Roles: The Guardian as emissary and scout, protector and provider, healer and advisor, mediator and mentor. My Guardian kin in the opening story demonstrated a number of these traits. I should like to elaborate upon each of them, into the qualities of character, and the training and maturing that comprise the Guardian. Guardian as Emissary He is sent to councils, feasts, and ceremonies to represent his people and sometimes a particular individual. Because o f his training which carries him beyond himself and into the consciousness of his people, he is trusted by them to represent, speak, and negotiate for them. They know that he will represent them honorably and wisely. They know the Guardian will be courteous as a guest, and that he will listen and objectively and accurately transmit to them what he observes and is given to bring back to them. Those to whom he comes know the same and trust in his words, because they know that every Guardian, no matter of what people, upholds the integrity of his people by expressing himself as a Truthspeaker. Guardian as Scout A master of the skills of stealth, observation, and tracking, the Guardian is relied upon to gather useful information outside of the normal physical realm of their people. Normally this involves the spotting of Native plant, animal, or Earthen goods, or the locating of an advantageous trail or crossing. When his people are on the move he scouts ahead of them to ensure their safe passage. He warns them of any environmental dangers, and guides them on the best and most advantageous route, which he may not do directly, but more often through a series of elaborate but well disguised signs which he leaves in his wake. When passing through land inhabited by other people the Guardian guides his people on a route that will not infringe on those people. As emissary he may arrange with those people for the passage of his people. Sometimes he will arrange for their meeting, which usually results in trade, the exchange of skills, amorous connections, and of course, feasting. He is trained from the earliest age in the skills of the scout. Even before he can walk, to be silent, including arresting his crying when it is inappropriate. Some of the early training of the Guardian may be harsh to those of us of the civilized way, because it seems that it stretches the capabilities and tolerances of a child . This may be so because our innate abilities have been squelched or atrophied for so long that we have forgotten about them. We have tremendous stamina, physical strength, intuitive and awareness abilities, and intellectual capacities that go dormant because of disuse or outright suppression. But they also tend to be mutually supportive and magnify each other. So if we do not develop as a whole being, but only emphasize a certain attribute, even that attribute will not develop to its full potential. He learns to move undetected if he so chooses. He does not rely upon camouflage or becoming invisible, because camouflage can fail and what is invisible in one moment can be visible in the next. These are techniques employed and relied upon by civilized people because they are not one with their circle of life, so they must camouflage themselves in to appear that they are, or they must become invisible to create the illusion that they are not even there. The Native Guardian moves within the greater movement. He is like the tree who bends in unison with his sister trees when the Wind asks them to bend, and stands unflinching with them when the Wind is quiet beyond a whisper. In this way, although fully visible as are the trees, he draws no more attention and creates no more disturbance than does one tree amongst the thousands who are rustling and swaying in unison. This is his natural way, as it is yours and mine. Our kin of the plant and animal realms instinctively know to move in this way as do you and I. Unlike us, Native people do not lose it, because they have not had to force themselves to move by a clock or the command of another, or in relation to an artificial environment. Instead, as with their non-Human kin, they practice and develop their innate skill. As with his non-Human kin, the Guardian will sometimes use camouflage and invisibility, but only as an adjunct, and oftentimes minimally, rather than relying upon it. Because he is a functioning child of the Earth, dwelling upon the Mother bosom, he already naturally "fits" - he smells like the environment in which he dwells, because he eats, drinks, and grooms with what the Mother gives him in his immediate area. His clothing and accouterments blend in with his surroundings because they are of his surroundings, and from civilized perspective he is invisible, because, rather than being an ego who is distinct from the natural realm, his consciousness resides as one with the greater consciousness of his life circle. Like the wolf who travels openly with the Caribou, moves within their movement and therefore raises no alarm, so the Guardian has the ability to do the same. Only when the Wolf grows hungry, and thus begins to move differently, do the Caribou notice her and react. The same with the Guardian. As long as he maintains awareness he remains unnoticed even though visible. We humans are also natural trackers, and as with stealth, the renowned tracking abilities of the Native Guardian, are merely the result of his maturation and commonly exhibited by many rather than being rare and phenomenal feats. The Native hears the song of the track, which is comprised of a chorus of voices that speak to him, that are carrying on a conversation amongst themselves, about who passed by and when and why. They are not speaking to him as much as he is eavesdropping on the going gossip. He knows the impulses of the one he is tracking - her hungers and fears and drives. In this way he moves within the movement of She whom he is tracking, often knowing where She is going he will speed ahead of her and wait for her arrival. This is an ability that transcends that of the tracker, as he is no more tracking that you and I are when we go to meet a friend at a park. Having a good hunch that he or she will be there, and therefore, having little need to retrace his footsteps. The technical approach to Tracking of Civilized Peoples is their attempt to compensate for their diminished innate ability to hear the song of the track. The Guardian can literally "read" a track as can Civilized Trackers when necessary even though he does not have the repertoire of technical terms to describe what he sees as they do. As with camouflage and invisibility, the Native Tracker will use skill as well as the reading of other sign the track has left behind (broken twigs, disturbed, spider webs and so on) as an adjunct to his tracking when needed rather than relying primarily upon it. As a scout, the Guardian is an adept stalker. Stalking is moving within micor-movements–movements within movements–in order to approach undetected at extremely close range. It is a further refinement of his movement skills done in slow motion and with great articulation and accuracy. The Guardian will often Stalk when it would appear to the casual observer that he has no reason to do so. He does this for two reasons: the first being practice and the second being that he is not always aware of as much as others might give him credit for. So, when he is in doubt he will exercise caution and move stealthily. The more difficult skill is the Back Stalk. It is little known or understood by people who use the Stalk mainly to hunt. On his observational missions, the Guardian has to get out of the tight situations he gets himself into. This is Back Stalking. Depending upon terrain and other circumstances, it can be two to three times more difficult than the Stalk itself. If we had eyes in the back of our heads, and if we were designed to walk backwards as easily as forward, that might not be the case. So, in training, the Guardian practices Stalking undetected leaving a place much more than he does entering a place. (Notice I said Stalking undetected rather than Stalking silently. When moving within the movement one does not have to be silent. A component of movement is sound. Everything that moves makes sound. A voice in a chorus blends in. A voice alone stands out. It is as with invisibility if a person is not seen he does not have to be invisible. The same with sound. If a person is not heard it doesn't matter that he makes sound. This is the way the Guardian moves within the movement and this is the way of the circle of life. It is not a question of what one does, but whether it is in harmony). The following is an experience of mine that illustrates this concept of "invisibility." The rain turned first to slush, then to big flakes of fluffy snow, the first of the year. This change of the seasons invigorates me, draws me out to partake in its splendor. The quietness of snow opens within me new space to experience the sight and feel of my surroundings. In comparison with rain, the snow lands so gently on my face and arms, like a cold feather touching my skin and then disappearing. I strip down, put on a pair of shorts, and took off for a barefoot run down the forest road that passes my cottage. When I returned, one of my apprentices, who was staying with me at the time, greeted me at the door with: "I saw you disappear down the road and stayed at the window to watch the snow. After a while, there you were again, going down the road in the same direction. How did you do it...or did you do it?" By the look on his face he was clearly confused. I'm sure he wondered what sort of mystical experience, or sleight of eye, he witnessed. As he did not see me double back up the road, and there was no way in his mind that I could have looped back through the woods so quickly, because he had no understanding of what I did, and did not witness it, to him, I performed a feat of invisibility. Guardian As Protector We as a people need protection in a variety of ways. Sometimes from the weather or other natural disaster, sometimes from an "enemy," sometimes from a Sorcerer's doings, sometimes from the burdens of clan and family, and sometimes from ourselves. The Guardian is trained to serve as protector in all these various ways. He knows the moods of the Mother. He is able to predict her changes and capable of responding in an instant to move his people out of harm's way. His training for the hunt have equipped him for the skill s needed to defend from human threat if necessary. As with the hunt he knows how to practice the skills of diversion and deception, which are his first line of defense, for to resort to confrontation would imperil him, which would risk his being available to protect his people. And because like begets like, if he engaged in confrontation it could also lead to confrontation for his people. In many ways he protects the state of being of his people, helping to assure a low level of stress and a high level of personal satisfaction in life. He will fill in when parents need a helping hand. He will protect and defend someone who is being persecuted or falsely accused. He will stand-up for the exploited and disadvantaged. He will protect people from their own folly, from their short-sightedness and errors of judgement. Functioning from a place of greater perspective, he is sometimes able to foresee what peril looms ahead.