Indians—So Illumined as to Enlighten the Whole World

Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America. For these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula… When the light of Muhammad shone forth in their midst, however, they became so radiant as to illumine the world. Likewise, these Indians, should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world. – Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 32.

I have been a member of the Baha’i Faith for 27 years.

Prior to this I only followed the traditional teachings of the Anishnabe and Plains Cree people. It was a White man that told me about the Baha’i Faith.

This man, named Bruce Vangoozen, said that the Baha’is accept the Indian ways as true.

I thought “Well that is nice, a large group of people in the world acknowledges our Indian ways are true.”

Next this man said something very significant that caught my attention forever. He said “In the Baha’i Faith there is a prophecy that the Indian people of the Americas, will someday shed light upon the whole world.”

When I heard this, I knew there had to be some truth to this religion, if they could know this about our people without ever meeting us prior.

As a teenager I had wondered how God, our Creator could give something so beautiful and great to human beings, meaning our Indian teachings. I knew that if the world had tried to learn about our people, this would have helped them tremendously. They still could if they opened their hearts and minds. Our Indian ways are true.

Before this I had been in my grandfather’s Sundance/Raindance lodge, and right beside my nest/cage was another Indian man. This man was dancing and fasting and he said that he was a Baha’i.

I remember thinking to myself at this moment “why do you need another religion when ours is so powerful, sacred and beautiful?”

After much study of the Baha’i Faith, I became a Baha’i. A few years later I told my grandfather “Mushum, I have found everything in our old ways in the Baha’i Faith, except the Weetigo Kan (Backward Spirit) and the Little People.” He replied “You’ll find them some day.”

Since that time I have studied the Baha’i Faith and have continued to learn about our old ways. These two spiritual ways are in perfect sync, and have helped me immensely in my life. I invite others who are also searching for understandings of life and spiritual matters to investigate the Baha’i Faith.

The Baha’i Faith was started in the Middle East. There were two Prophets in this religion. The first Prophet was the forerunner of the Baha’i Faith. His name was the Bab, which means “the Gate”. He announced his mission in 1844. He was subsequently martyred six years later for his beliefs and teachings. Baha’u’llah (pronounced Ba hah oo lah) was the next prophet, and that is where the Baha’i Faith derives its name from. Baha’i means follower of Baha, or follower of light.

The essential message of Baha’u’llah is that of unity. He taught that there is only one God, that there is only one human race, and that all the world’s religions represent stages in the revelation of God’s will and purpose for humanity. In this day, Baha’u’llah said, humanity has collectively come of age. As foretold in all of the world’s scriptures, the time has arrived for the uniting of all peoples into a peaceful and integrated global society.

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,” Baha’u’llah wrote.

I focus my spiritual activities upon these two spiritual ways, the Baha’i Faith and our ancient traditions. I have tried to raise my children so that they will understand and respect all spiritual ways. If you have any questions I will be pleased to try and answer them for you. Much happiness to you and yours. – Kamao-Nopanaise—“The Thunderbird Who Makes It Rain”….