“Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”
Mahalo ke Akua
Mahalo to all my incredible Teachers,
too numerous to name,
Elders, Family, Sisters and Brothers, Ancestors and Unseen Forces of the Universe
who have walked before and alongside me ...
my deepest gratitude for all the love and mentoring you have given me,
without which, I would be unable to continue to serve others.
Photo by: June Tanoue & Yvonne Yarber Carter
Papa Henry Allen Auwae
Po`okela La`au Lapa`au,
Master of Hawaiian Medicine
“When you listen, you have love. When you love, you have compassion, you care... If you have these sentiments, this is important, a deep discernment for another human being.”
I have the opportunity to serve today because of Papa. I honor him for the tremendous human being and Master Healer he was. He helped so many through pure love, wisdom, spirituality, herbs and the conviction of his faith. My time with Papa was life changing. His love and teachings are "the foundation" upon which I now stand. His wisdom echoes through my days; revealing deeper and deeper truths. It is my honor to have been his student. May my life and service to others forever reflect the blessings he has given me.
Grandfather Leon Secatero
Spiritual Messenger, Canoncito Navajo
“What is so very important in our lives now - just like water, we need it all the time - is recognition that there is sacredness in every form. When you put all that together you have a process of what I call “sacredization”, a fundamental recognition of the sacredness of all things. That, I feel, is a part of our original instructions as human beings.”
Leon always spoke of the "Five Fingered Ones". He felt it was important to honor and share our unique identities and cultures, yet also, be unified and recognize our collective humanity. He stressed the importance of coming together in support of one another and Mother Earth; to create a "Beauty Way" for the future. His command of Indigenous Science was spellbinding. I am so grateful for all the time and wisdom he shared with me and so many on the planet.
Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein
Upik Elder, Healer and Tribal Doctor
“Emotions become physical, and the physical becomes emotional. Healing is about peeling... Physical problems come from all these hidden things, all the disappointments and anger... This happens because we’ve forgotten who we are. We drive ourselves instead of allowing ourselves.”
Being with Grandmother Rita was like being in the presence of a magnificent, shiny, bundle of joy. She held the energies of love, compassion and forgiveness on such a profound level; you could not help but open your heart, big and wide, to accept all she had to offer. The experience of "being seen" by Grandmother Rita touched me deeply. Her encouragement to own and apply my divine gifts has strengthened my resolve to share these gifts in the service of others.