Native American Leadership Alliance  Establishing Reconciliation and Peace

Women of many Faiths receive Native Healing

Dearborn, Michigan: The beautiful Byblos Banquet Hall was the location for a very unique women’s conference on November 12, 2005. “What an incredible experience it was to receive the love, compassion, forgiveness and healing from our Native American sisters.” said participant Michelle Lindsay after receiving smudging. Native American women from across the state of Michigan accepted the invitation from the Native American Leadership Alliance (NALA) to lead the effort of reconciliation. It is the belief of NALA that because of the historical course of suffering of the Native American people, they are uniquely qualified and are now being called by the Creator to lead others to reconciliation and peace and to finally end the cycle of revenge and retribution. “This is the first of a series of reconciliation ceremonies that will be taking place across the country as we prepare for a major international event," said Gayokla-Nichi, Ayala , a member of NALA’s National Executive Council. NALA will be presenting a set of “Healing the Family of Abraham” Peace Totem Poles carved from the trunk of a 200-foot tall old growth  Western Red Cedar. The healing poles carved by Master Carver Jewell Praying Wolf James (Indian Name: tse-Sealth, a lineal descendent of Chief Seattle), will be blessed by all faiths as they cross our land from the west coast and reaching the east coast by August 2006. With a delegation of 300 native leaders and 300 religious leaders representing Christianity, Judaism and Islam, the poles will then be transported to Israel and taken through Palestinian and Jewish lands, finding its permanent site near the village of Neveh Shalom. because the conflict in Israel is the flashpoint that is now tearing the human family apart, this Native American Peace Poles project will impact people throughout the world as a proud symbol of reconciliation, healing, hope and peace. 

“I almost didn’t make the luncheon”, said Rev. Mozie Lee Smith, Mother Mozie, as she is known throughout Detroit.  “Getting old is such a nuisance.  I took a spill down the front steps of my house on my way to the event.  I didn’t think I had broken anything but my whole body was hurting.  I almost went back and stayed home.  When my Native sisters embraced me with traditional smoke and eagle feather, within mere moments I felt renewed and the pain was all gone. I am so  impressed as to how the Heavenly Father is calling on the Native Americans.”

The NALA event for Native American Women was hosted by the Women’s Federation for World Peace. Roxanne Roselle, chairwoman for WFWP of Michigan stated, “The WFWP has officiated forgiveness ceremonies all over the world between women of countries that historically have been enemies, but I am very excited about the roll Native American Women play in the reconciliation needed in our country.  We have so much to learn”.

“We women of the Islamic faith have so many similarities with the Native American tradition.” testifies Muna Hasan, reporter for Basheer TV. “Especially with regard to how they view the Creator’s purpose for women. I was brought to tears with sister Rochelle Ballard’s poetic presentation.” 

The atmosphere was very light with traditional music by Bea Castro on the flute.  Ms. Castro, also one of the speakers, gave testimony of an abusive marriage and dedicated a song of forgiveness to her husband who has recently past away.  “I could not hold back the tear” said Shigeko Kasbow from Japan.  “There is so much reconciliation needed in this country and the Native American Women have demonstrated such a compassion to set the pace.”  

 Bishop Barbara H. Weeks, state director for Women In Ministry, who just recently began to research her Native ancestors on her mothers side commented on how she regrets not having been taught about native traditions while she was younger.  “I can clearly see how I would have been so much more prepared for some of life obstacles.”  Various businesses from crafts and health foods to business opportunities for women were on display at the conference.   The conference was also a networking event with women from 4 different states.  As NALA prepares for the Healing Piece Pole journey across the country, there will be many such conferences.  Women’s conference will be January 28, 2006 in Chicago.  For more information or to book NALA for your area contact Gayokla-Nichi Ayala at:

 626-589-9814.