International Peace Day 1999 ( the Third Tuesday in September)

The Village of Yorkville Park - Consecrating the Rock and the Planting of the Tree of Peace.

A Perspective of a Peacemaker.

I drove all night in order that I might get back to Toronto in time to go and be in a Sweat Lodge with Elder Vern Harper. This was necessary because I had committed to briefing him on the ceremony that we were to do in Toronto on International Peace Day. We were able to experience the sweat but it was very difficult for me as I had not prepared myself in the right way. The Sweat Lodge is an important meeting ground for one's higher self and the spirits that affect ones life. For me it was especially important as it was the anniversary of my mothers birthday and my mothers spirit watches over me as I walk the path of the Elders and wise people.

I did survive. I did get strengthened. And I needed it.

I woke up early on Peace Day to go and pick up Elder Vern Harper, or Grandpa as I call him. We arrived at the rock before the sun came up as we wanted to do a ceremony at the rock in the "right way".. Andy, Joe, Howard, Tamara, Ning and myself prepared ourselves with sage smudge and we performed a short ceremony in the right way. We prayed that the rock would be happy where it has been moved to, and that it would heal itself and help heal our community. We thanked each other for being there and then we separated until later that day. Howard, Tamara and I walked around the Yorkville Park and played the Unity Drum in order that we might bring the message of Unity to the Park for all who might come to visit this park in the future. Later that day the official ceremony was to take place.

At the appointed time, not Indian time, the Lieutenant General of Ontario Hillary Weston arrived with the honour guard dressed in period costume. The Chief of the Mississauga Caroline King arrived with twenty children from Brantford and Chief Tom Bressette, the Chief of the Chiefs of Ontario all showed up at the right time. Chief Donald Maracle of the Mohawk also joined in the ceremonies.

I was especially surprised to see my friend Chief Warren Ramey of the Cherokee Nation had come from Indiana in the United States to bring honour to our ceremony. He arrived with his helper Steven and his daughter Virginia. I say I was surprised but I was not really. Uncle Warren and I had met at a ceremony in Coba Mexico last March, and we had agreed to Plant the Tree of Peace in Toronto together. I was not certain he would be there, but I was so happy to see him there. He was acknowledged in the right way both by Chief Tom Bressette and Elder Vern Harper as they included him in the ceremonies. I have seen this before. Being in the moment and doing things the "right way". It made my heart soar when Grandpa asked Uncle to come and stand beside him in the Blessing of the Rock. It made my heart soar when Chief Tom Bressette welcomed Uncle Warren. Our local people do not know how to be so civilized.

Hillary Weston, the Lieutenant Governor made a well crafted presentation demonstrating an understanding of the importance of the ceremony in which she chose to participate. She continually brings a quality to her position that we have not experienced before in our government officials. A blessing indeed. John Adams represented Mayor Mel Lastman who dropped out at the last moment. John spoke well and explained later that our little Mayor is not so supportive of our Yorkville Park as we might like - forgetting the symbolism and the importance of the day to Canadian and human history. Chief Tom Bressette, the Chief of the Chiefs of Ontario, Chief Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and Chief Caroline King of the Mississauga of the New Credit each made a presentation explaining the heart and thinking of the First Nations Peoples. It is important that we make peace with the land and with ourselves was the common message. We must stop polluting our rivers and our minds, and bring justice where we see injustice. . Some heard it, if they listened with their hearts. The manner in which Grandpa and Chief Bressette welcomed Uncle Warren into their ceremony demonstrates how civilized people honour each other. A lesson we can all learn.

After the singing of the woman's song by the children of the Mississauga Nation, the invited guests went over to the Heliconian Club for the exchange of gifts, some more short speeches and some snacks.

At the Heliconian Club twenty trees were brought and blessed in order that they may be sent out and planted in the local community. In places where they could be looked after and so that they might grow strong.. I was going to make a short presentation to explain the meaning of the planting of the tree and the significance of Chief Warren Ramey's presence at our event, but I was not allowed to do so. I had to laugh. And laugh I did. Out loud. While pointing at Bob Saunderson who refused to let me address the people gathered there. It was really funny. I was not allowed to explain why the people had gathered there. At a Peace Ceremony. It was all I could do . Laugh. To continue the story of the Planting of the Tree of peace that Uncle Warren and I had begun together in Coba Mexico last March 21st. We had agreed to plant the tree together in our home territory as the trees that I had taken with me to plant in Mexico were not "the right ones".

One of the other messages that I had brought with me was from the Winnipeg Queens Printer - a report on the Justice System and the Aboriginal Peoples written by A.C. Hamilton and G.M Sinclair (page 674): "Canadas Treatment of its first citizens has been an international disgrace. To fail to take every needed step to redress this lingering injustice, will continue to bring tragedy and injustice to Aboriginal People and to blacken our country's name throughout the world." This message was unfortunately not delivered.

I am taking one of the Silver Pines that has been blessed in this ceremony to Seoul Korea where I will perform a similar ceremony and spread the idea of Peace in the Peacemaker tradition. I will be attending an International UNDPI Conference at Kyung Hee University and presenting a paper on "Education as the Cornerstone of Peace in the 21st Century."

Uncle Warren Ramey and I will returning to Mexico in January of 2000 to Plant the Cieba tree, the Tree of Peace of the Mayans. This is a 2000 year old ceremony that we have been invited to experience with Master Hunbatz Men a Mayan Elder. My friend Lama Gangchen from Tibet is coming too. You too dear reader are welcome to attend as well. As we say in the Rainbow Family - if you have a belly button, you are included. and are welcome to attend.

Written by Mitchell Gold, Peacemaker, learner, teacher. Mitchell is working with the International Association of Educators for World Peace, is their spokesperson at the United Nations, UNICEF etc., and is traveling the World on a thousand day voyage to get the conversation going on issues of importance.. You may follow his journey on his website http://www.homeplanet.org, or you may write him c/o IAEWP 2 Bloor St. West Suite 100-209 Toronto Ontario, M4W 3E2 Tel 416-924-4449 (mgold@homeplanet.org)

The IAEWP is promoting an Initiative called the International Peace City 2000 project. A Peace City should plant the Tree of Peace in the Peacemaker tradition in the local community. I hope that this community challenges other communities to encourage the Planting of the Tree of Peace. For a Copy of the Ceremony contact the writer.