Children's Fire
A long time ago, elders from various Indigenous tribes gathered in what is now the USA. They discussed the best ways to lead their people. They recognized the challenge of balancing short-term and long-term needs. To ensure a better future for their tribes, they knew it was essential to always consider the long-term perspective and allow it to influence short-term decisions.
They understood that the most important investment for a secure future of the tribe was to invest in the children. Leaders had to weigh the impact of every decision on the impact for the future of their young ones.
Their view of children was much broader than ours. They considered all children, both human and non-human alike. All needed care and opportunities for a good future. This meant ensuring that every generation looked after life and the earth itself, keeping it vibrant, regenerative, and sustainable for the long haul.
To keep this in mind, they decided to light a fire at every gathering of leaders and elders, sitting around it. They named it The Children’s Fire.
For a deeper look into this, I refer you to Mac McCartney’s website and the text about The Children’s Fire.
The following text struck me and it describes what we need to do for our tribes to have a bright future. The quote from the book originally points out that the people of England and Wales need to honor their true history and reconnect with it. I believe this applies to all of us, as we often prioritize the short term, neglecting the long-term future for those who are young or yet to be born.
Information given to Mac from a leader of one of the Indigenous tribes.
The chief leaned towards me.
” Until the day comes that people of these islands remember their sacred duty to love and care for the Earth, the Children’s Fire will remain extinguished. Until they remember that thrusts, the rabbits, the trees and all waters also belong to and are loved by creation, there will be no justice. Until ceremonies are held honouring the seasons, and the youth is held by elders worthy of that name, there will be no lasting peace. Until the day comes, we will always be frightened of your people, for you see with dead eyes and your madness may be all that it takes to tip the scales.”
She paused, and then, whispering: ”Mend what was broken. Rekindle the Children’s Fire.
The text within brackets is taken from the book The Children’s Fire by Mac Macartney. It is published with permission from the author.