A Navajo Peacemaker in Iran

The US government has a long history of false flag operations (i.e. staging, fabricating, contributing to, or otherwise augmenting attacks against oneself in order to justify ruthless retaliation against a pre-determined target as part of a prior agenda), but dang ya know at least they used to have the decency to keep the nefarious conspiratorial planning top secret and make it look at least semi-convincing. These days apparently top officials just blurt it out willy-nilly in any old meeting and then gleefully rub their hands in anticipation of weapons launch.

Given these Hershian relevations on the US-Iranian front, here's something a little different from Navajo Peacemaker Michelle Cook [pictured below left, with Iranian friend] at Censored News, bearing the title "Walking In Beauty As A Framework for International Peacemaking In Iran":

I went to Iran, because people have the right to hear both sides. Furthermore, the American people and Navajo people are entitled to know what we are being led into and deserve nothing less than full transparency when situations such as these arise. I went with a peacemaking tradition armed with Navajo prayer and the wisdom of the ancestors.

Iran is an ancient place, its population is 62 million, about half of whom are below the age of twenty. Iran is also home to several distinct tribes, such as the Ashayer, Gonbad, Qashqui, and Bakhtiyari. These tribes are nomadic, moving with the seasons, herding sheep across vast mountain ranges. Iranian tribes like the Navajo tribe are also weavers. It is the tribal peoples of Iran who are the renowned weavers of the many of the Persian Rugs. These tribes face some of the same challenges indigenous peoples in the Americas face, poverty, lack of health services, traditional mobility, and language revitalization to name but a few. In the United States rarely do we hear about these tribes or the beauty and diversity of Iranian peoples and cultures.

I met with Iranian youth who are in the process of defining and redefining themselves in relation to Islamic Republic of Iran. I found a people who are in the process of striking a balance between ancient Islam and modernity. I found strong women who are defining women’s rights in Iran on their on terms and at their own pace.

As I walked through those ancient sacred lands, I didn’t see terrorists. I saw the faces of real people; I saw families, mothers, fathers, and children, not racist stereotypes found in the media. Iran is home to many kinds of cultures and faiths.

I found some of the most kind and hospitable people I have ever encountered. I found the people who practiced Islam to be a kind and prayerful people, much like Navajo people. In Islam guests and strangers are treated as messengers of God and are given great respect, I was this given this degree of respect and was invited into their homes, where we ate and prayed for peace together. Saying both Navajo and Islamic prayers.

I wanted Iranian people to understand the diversity of America, the idea of sovereign Native Nations, of distinct peoples, as nations within a nation. I wanted them to understand some of the realities, strengths, and challenges of indigenous peoples in the United States, most importantly not to see Navajo as a vanishing people, but as active protagonists in a long and epic battle for complete harmony and self-determination. I wanted them to know the Navajo people not only as the people who walk in beauty but also as a fierce warrior people who have fought and are still fighting for the liberation, restoration, and healing of our peoples, the earth, her resources, our culture, and our language. [...]

When I shared my story with Iranian people, I felt a real sense of solidarity, almost a familial connection. I found people who were compassionate about the struggles of indigenous peoples of North American. Although we are different, we have one thing in common. Iranian peoples like indigenous peoples want to determine their future, practice their culture, and religions without interference from outsiders, foreign rulers, and influences. I talked with veterans of the Iran and Iraq war of the 1980’s who defended their land and are advocates for peace because they never want to experience war or it’s destruction in their lands again in fact the Iranian people are still healing from the trauma caused by this war.

The Navajo people have much to teach the American people and the world in terms of non-violence and conflict resolution such as the Navajo Nation Peace Makers Court and Navajo Peacemakers. The aim of Navajo peace making is to resolve conflict and restore harmony to individuals in conflict non-violently based on Navajo custom and belief. Navajo peacemaking framework is built upon the Navajo philosophy of hozho, and uses a process that stresses dialogue and what Robert Yazzie explains as “talking things out”. The United States can learn much from Navajo in this regard, for the U.S has consistently failed to facilitate dialogue or talk things out with the Iranian people or the government. This failure not only threatens the safety of the American people but also the lives of Iranian peoples and young indigenous and Navajo soldiers. If the U.S government is unable or unwilling to facilitate this dialogue civil society and Indian Nations must advocate for and create these conversations.

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Comments

[nezua]

Fantastic. That's what I'm talking about.

Our conventional media systems are nothing but killbots for the empire. This sort of thing is always refreshing. Gracias.

[Kai]

Yeah this isn't a story you're likely to hear about on Blitzer or Matthews. I agree, it's a refreshing perspective and a courageous piece of grassroots activism.

[Indigenous Peoples researcher]

Yes, if we can get the indigenous/tribal peoples around the world to unite and take action on a single front, then we can have a great impact against those who continually oppress and exploit them. The tribal peoples of Iran need to work with other indigenous peoples - Native Americans for example - to create a united voice against the colonial practices still prevalent around the world.

[Kai]

IPR, agreed, part of what I hope can be accomplished via emerging new media is increased networking, collaboration, coalition-building, and community-consolidation across grassroots groups as you describe. Thanks for your comment.

[Vincent]

This is a great story. The only place a story like this MIGHT be covered is by Aljazeera in the Middle East (Arabic and English) or maybe LinkTV. Certainly, not mainstream media outlets. The mainstream media is fully complicit in reporting a highly skewed, two-dimensional view of what is really happening in Iran and the Middle East at large, buying into the propaganda strategy of the US and others. Either they report stories on variations of conflict between Israel/US and the rest of the Arab world, or they report extensively on the economic opportunities for the west in UAE and other "moderate Arab states". It is utterly ridiculous because there is great nuance in the social, political, economic, and religious context in the Middle East as whole and for each nation. This is only made worst by the fact that the US has a history of using the press in Iran, and the Middle East in general, to advance US government interests. For example, the CIA used the local and regional press in Iran to ignite a coup of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq to install the Shah's "pro-capitalism" government in 1953. The US government and media have major credibility issues in the region. People in Iran and the Broader Middle East remember these type of tactics well, and flat out do not believe the US (including the media) can be trusted and must be carefully observed.

Further, there is also little rigorous reporting on those stories that connect all people: desire for peace and safety, self-determination, dignity, equality, freedom of opportunity, and protection of the environment. Reporting on stories like Michelle Cook's visit and outreach to young Iranians allows us to "slow down and take a deep breath" so we can see more clearly, more compassionately that we are really connected by aspirations, challenges, and opportunities. Indigenous nations and cultures are in a unique position to help connect the world and slow the madness that could lead us to destroying ourselves. Shame on the mainstream media machine for failing in their institutional obligation as "our eyes and ears everywhere". It is exhilarating that progressive sources like Censor News and Zuky can raise awareness for these types of stories.

Thank you,

Vincent

ps. Check you the THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF
THIRTEEN INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHERS
http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/ they are fighting the good fight to bring people together and share knowledge and wisdom