November 13, 2002
Chambers shares cultural insight
NMC recognizes Native American Awareness throughout November
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
"In my culture, there is no way to separate a way of life from a spiritual life."
Jack Chambers strives to embody the ancient traditions of his culture, living as teacher, steward of a way of life that stretches back tens of thousands of years.
A healer and member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Peshawbestown resident spoke to an audience of 25 people Monday at Northwestern Michigan College. His talk was part of the college's weekly session on an aspect of native culture, in recognition of Native American Awareness week this month.
A Vietnam veteran now confined to a wheelchair and struggling with health issues, Chambers outlined the history of his people in this region and gave a glimpse into their souls.
"We live by the seven grandfather teachings, virtues: truth, honesty, prayer, wisdom, love, respect and humility," said Chambers, who learned about his people from spirit conferences, discussions with elders and dreams. "They are to be put in our daily lives, that's how we treated everyone."
In a culture that reveres the wisdom of elders, Chamber is highly respected by people of all ages. His advice is sought out and his opinions or guidance followed respectfully.
"Jack is very helpful in the healing of our community, spiritually as well as emotionally," said Shocko Hall, Sr., of Peshawbestown. "He is very knowledgeable and I look up to him as an uncle."
However, Chambers is quick to note that he is not a medicine man, a shaman, though many ask him if he is. He believes that his knowledge of healing and any healing that occurs from his advice or prayers are courtesy of the Great Spirit.
The Grand Traverse region was previously known as the Land of the Eagle, inhabited by the members of the Ottawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi tribes. Before Europeans came to the region, the tribes and clans were nomadic, never staying too long in a place to deplete natural resources.
Many members lived or came from the islands of Lake Michigan: Beaver Island, the Fox Islands, the Manitou Islands and Garden Island. Food caches and other artifacts on these islands confirm native people's presence, even thousands of years ago.
Cattails and birch bark and were formed into baskets and cups, even liners for food caches. Even maple syrup was harvested and processed using only birch bark containers.
"After living in an area for 30,000 years, you know what works and what doesn't," he said. "We had a lot of tricks and secrets."
Chambers noted that seven clans inhabited the area, Thunder, Eagle, Bear, Turtle, Sturgeon, Crane and Deer. Clan traditions were so strong that a member was required to marry out of the clan.
The Ottawa were known as People of the Bush and were renowned traders and orators. They also harvested copper from the Keweenaw Peninsula, moving north during the summer months to harvest this float copper. Some products made from this copper, which is unusually pure, have been found as far away as South America.
"They knew that by heating copper it became soft; as it cooled and they hammered it became hard," Chambers said. "The opposite of iron."
Chambers also noted the differences between a religious life and a spiritual life, the latter the goal of native peoples. The Great Spirit was the source of that spiritual life, an energy that traditional beliefs taught was universal, located everywhere and in everything.
"Religious laws are man's laws and look at how many religions there are on Earth," he said. "What my ancestors saw and believed in was one God, respect for all living things, period."
The theme of seven also extended to the seven directions in the universe: north, south, east, west, up, down and inside. He said the seventh direction, inside, is often neglected in the modern world, causing much grief and pain.
"In each of us are two , the physical man and the spiritual man," Chambers said. "The physical man lives in the head and right now is leading this world with greed, the need for power and anger."
"Let the spiritual man, which lives in the heart, guide you and you'll never get into trouble."
Monday, November 18, will feature Music and Art and Monday, November 25, will feature Native Historical Trauma. The free programs begin at noon and are located in the lower level of West Hall on the Northwestern Michigan College campus. For more information, call 995-1043.