A Promise to the Park
"We were talking about creating something beautiful and long lasting that would be dedicated to the heart and soul of Parks [Canada] here on P.E.I.," said Pellissier-Lush, who is also a knowledge keeper for the P.E.I. Mi'kmaq rights organization L'nuey.
After working on multiple versions to see what would work best, Pellissier-Lush discovered an underlying theme that was coming out. "I was embracing my teachings that I grew up with — my seven sacred teachings and the seven directions — and how all of those things could be used to create something beautiful," she said. |
Parks Canada launched a website to help visitors to the P.E.I. National Park learn more about the promise and actions people can take. The website includes best practices for visitors with things like properly sharing the space with wildlife, reporting invasive species and bringing out all the things they bring in.
A Promise to the Park
by Julie Pellissier-Lush
It is time to sing the promise it isn't very long The seven directions we learn today will help to make us strong I promise to the East to love flora and fauna I promise to the South to leave the park the way I found it I promise to the West I will respect the land I walk on I promise to the North I will have the courage to be strong… to be strong I promise to the Sky that I will keep her clean I promise to myself that I will follow all my dreams I promise to the Earth, to be a human being And a promise is a promise and I am promising My teachings from the directions are love, humility, respect, courage, truth, wisdom and honesty. My heart will always be here with breathtaking sunsets The water and sand, the dunes and trails with benches for me to rest I promise from my heart in each direction that I know That I will always look after you each day that I grow It's time to sing the promise it isn't very long There are seven directions that will help to keep us strong.
Prayer of Discernment
Yahweh, God of the journey,
you went with the Israelites in the form of a pillar of cloud by day to show them the way,
and by night in the form of a pillar of fire
to give them light for their journey. (Ex.13:21-22).
We long for that kind of assuredness of Your Presence
as we discern the future direction for our fraternity.
We fear the unknown and wonder what the future may hold for us.
A part of us wants to hold on to the blessings we have known
and to rest in the security of letting others take the lead.
Remind us often that we each, in our own way, have gifts to offer our fraternity.
May we be open to your Word and your Way. Encourage us with a deepened awareness of the needs of our brothers and sisters in fraternity. May we have the wisdom to follow the lead of the Spirit in planning for the future of our fraternity. We ask this through Christ Your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen (Submitted by Doug and Mary Hagen) |