La voz de las trece abuelas

by Carol Schaefer

Somos trece Abuelas indígenas que nos reunimos por primera vez del 11 al 17 de octubre de 2004 en Phoenicia, Nueva York. Llegamos de los cuatro puntos cardinales para reunirnos en la tierra del pueblo de la Confederación Iroquesa. Venimos de la Selva Amazonas, del Círculo Polar Ártico, de los grandes bosques del Noroeste americano, de las vastas llanuras de América del Norte, de las montañas de América Central, de las Black Hills de Dakota del Sur, de las montañas de Oaxaca, del desierto del Suroeste americano, de las montañas del Tíbet y de la selva de África central. Reafirmamos nuestras relaciones con los pueblos y comunidades de medicina tradicional de todo el mundo. Nos hemos reunido porque tenemos una visión común para formar una alianza global nueva.Conformamos el Consejo Internacional de las Trece Abuelas Indígenas. Somos una unidad. Somos una alianza de oración, educación y sanación para nuestra Madre Tierra, para todos sus habitantes, para todos los niños y para las siguientes siete generaciones. Estamos muy preocupadas con la destrucción sin precedentes que está sufriendo nuestra Madre Tierra: la contaminación de nuestro aire, nuestra agua y nuestro suelo, las atrocidades de la guerra, el azote global de la pobreza, la amenaza de las armas y los residuos nucleares, la cultura del materialismo, las epidemias que amenazan la salud de los pueblos de la tierra, la explotación de las medicinas indígenas y la destrucción de las formas de vida indígenas.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Indigenous, Womens, Native American, Environment, Gender

312 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2006

Reviews

[Dina · Rating 2 out of 5]

La verdad me encantó la idea de este libro pero realmente me pareció pésima la ejecución. La razón principal es que siento que todo está contando de manera demasiado simple y está tocando un tema tan profundo y hermoso que ameritaba mucho más. La segunda razón es que está narrado en tercera persona y mezcla sus ideas con las de las entrevistadas. Qué lástima porque realmente había material para hacer algo maravilloso.

[Karl Edgar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Call the grandmothers! I actually believe that its up to women to save this filthy civilization, and thus and either way, I do too, look up to wise grandmothers!

But the problem with humanistic books, such as this, is that it should be much more articulate and accurate in expression. Saying and repeating “we need to strive toward love, harmony and hope” every 5 pages - does not exactly cut the mustard anymore, does it?
I mean there’s gotta be another level to this - healing your inner self, praying, having your mantras, believing, meditating, sending your good/God vibrations. I mean I get it - but how do you take it further from there? How do you externalize, organize, and actually reform the educational system, for example?

[Oz Ortega · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uno de esos libros que todos deberían leer para tomar consciencia de como estamos destruyendo el mundo y como podemos empezar desde nosotros a generar cambios que nos lleven al Mundo que todos queremos. Trece abuelas indígenas de diversas partes del mundo, desde Brazil hasta el Tíbet, narran su aprendizaje sagrado y lo comparten con la esperanza de que los humanos aprendan a desarrollar su poder y encuentren el lugar que de verdad nos corresponde en este Universo.

[K.R. Gastreich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting collection of teachings by women elders from tribes around the world. Their message focuses on environmental protection, peace, and using tribal wisdom to build a better future. While I enjoyed the read, there were times when the rambling nature of the narrative was cumbersome and distracting. Recommended for readers interested in environmental issues, indigenous systems of knowledge, and women's leadership in the contemporary world.

[Natasa Tovornik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing theory how the different ethnic groups have more contact to the four elements, and that now is the time to unite the knowledge again. It is a story about how ancient knowledge has been forgotten and is being heard again. I loved to read the stories of the grandmothers and even more their messages. It is also great to get in touch with the feminine side. Lovely read.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. The thirteen grandmothers who have come together are extraordinary. How they came together, their individual histories, their stories and their sincere desire to help humanity is remarkable. Everyone should know about them, but especially the women of the world. I recall hearing or reading that the Pope said that there will be world peace when the women are in control. This book shares this message and I have been deeply touched.

[Diana Raab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection and weaving of stories and healing modalities of thirteen--a sacred number in each of the Grandmothers' traditions--elders from places such as Oregon, New Mexico, Brazil, Tibet, Alaska, and Africa. If you're like me, and love the power of words and storytelling, this book will feed your soul.

For example, Grandmother Flordemayo teaches us that the way to find balance in our lives is to feel the love and nourishing energy at the heart of the Earth, while moving through the soles of our feet, and invoking the heart of the heavens to move through the crown of our heads. This gesture allows the two energies to meet in the center of our being. (p. 30).

The Grandmothers in the collection believe that we need to return to our inner spirit and the spirit of things around us, especially when at this time when many of us have looked externally to find happiness.

It's refreshing to hear of all the teachings passed down the generations, especially when many of us are hungry for wisdoms, and are no longer able to connect with most of our ancestors.

[Celeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book read like a term paper rather than a novel. Although the theory behind the book was very good - the elders that were involved in this counsel were independently very interesting and wise. I enjoyed the biography session and the remainder of the book was common sense and written in a very dry and repetitive manner. I would like to have updates on the individual elders. I would not recommend this book other than for research.

[Celic · Rating 5 out of 5]

La voz de las trece abuelas nos comparte la sabiduría de 13 mujeres de distintas partes del mundo, donde podemos comprender desde varios ámbitos que le está sucediendo al mundo y a nosotros mismos.

Habla del poder de la oración, de la medicina de las plantas, la importancia de los animales y de cómo y porqué sanar nuestro espíritu entre otras muchas cosas.

[Nahuel Porteiro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tergiversar una cultura y sociedad con tantos matices como la de los pueblos originarios, dando un mensaje de meritocracia mezclado de espiritualidad barata y ambigua, solo con el fin de satisfacer a un lector actual poco interesado, es lamentable y repudiable.

[Marylin Zuniga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I cried every chapter of this book. It was so divinely aligned with my journey, and I feel like every page was prophesying over my life and my purpose. So much wisdom, and traditional knowledge and such an enjoyable read!

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of words pf advice from indigenous "grandmothers" around the world. Most of it entails taking care of the earth which is what climate change advocates are all about.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book written about thirteen important women who wish to see change in the world.

[Diane Scholten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently, Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance, a Lakota wisewoman died. Her death got me looking into learning more about her and I came across this book. I remembered hearing about this council back when it occurred (2006 I think) but then it got off my radar. I find it truly remarkable that these 13 wisewomen elders from various indigenous cultures came together to share wisdom - that's amazing! I guess I expected the book to be more specifically prophetic or have more unexpected bits of wisdom. Still and all, it's a good reminder of the sacredness of the earth, that all people are one, and that we have all we need to thrive and heal if we will simply stop destroying Mother Earth. Recommended.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amazing book of women elders from differen parts of the World giving their wisdom and vision for our planet. What I learned from this book is that we need to listen to women elders and take their instructions seriously. Most interesting were the similarities of their spiritualty even though their were from different parts of the world. They were from countries like Africa,Brazil,Tibet, Nepal, Mexico and central and western US States.
They formed a"Statment of International Council Of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers." Well worth the read.

[Janet Tamez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book and definitely come away with a little piece of wisdom shared by these women elders. The book is broken into chapters with each grandmother's story and message to the world. This is a great read for anyone interested in learning about the sacred teachings of native americans.

[Amanda Kingston]

Loved, loved, loved reading this as part of an independent study this summer. Schaefer combines interviews from the 13 grandmothers counsel as well as their collective offerings on prophecy, prayer, medicine, and more to cultivate what could be possible for the earth should we choose to listen to these elders.

[Karen Carnabucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought-provoking comments from elder women from the four corners of the earth, talking about our responsiblities to care for the earth and each other. It would be a good book for a book discussion group.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read something spiritual during the holidays, and this was the perfect book to pick up. So many challenges in my daily life right now. This book helped me to ground myself again. I now feel ready for the New Year. Especially loved the natural healing chapter and the chapter on prayer.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book one chapter at a time, taking time in between to reflect upon the wisdom of each of the 13 Original Grandmothers. Their writings provide a strong foundation for family, life, healing, and womanhood. Their wisdom is not to be taken lightly is the circle of life...

[Sue Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember how I actually became introduced to the book. But...meeting the Grandmothers was a sacred gift that changed my life. This book is always near me. My family is in unity with the messages of The 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. I can't wait to see them again. Support Native culture!

[Dyan]

Accessible, frank, and vitally needed messages! Saw them in person too. They bring indigenous cultures and ancestry with them in their daily lives and the work they are doing.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

These grandmothers have a valuable teaching. Their wisdom is a healing for what ails us. I am grateful to have discovered this book and hope to carry this wisdom forward.

[Anne Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I'm currently reading for my thesis...but I would read it anyway. It is full of wisdom and insight.

[Jak5]

Loved it . . .

[Jaina Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vital introduction to the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.

[Threedogs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information from our grandmothers. We must take care of our mother!

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with an urgent message everyone needs to hear and act upon.

[Luce Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very wonderful book, written in a very urgent tone counseling us all to heal the planet and ourselves. This book rings true - definitely not New Age garbage.