Thoughts About Dreamwork with Central Alberta Cree

Dreams and Social Action Among Natives

As I have discussed herein, over the past few years I have developed range and depth in my involvement with Natives and dreams. This also has a social action aspect. On the surface helping to educate Natives to better their life circumstances and/or more personally helping Ret and his baby brother certainly "count" as social action but I have two specific social action goals in my professional and personal involvement's.

First, I am aware that I am in a position to reenergize the value of the dream and indeed the value of many of the traditional teachings around spirituality for the Natives I come into contact with. In my role as teacher, with a doctorate in psychology they listen to me about the science of dreams and states of consciousness which I integrate with standard psychological concepts. In some way my teaching serves as a stamp of approval from the white society encouraging them to appreciate some of the truly beautiful traditional teachings. I do not presume to tell them anything about the specifics of their traditions rather I speak simply of the science and clinical work with these states of being and emphasize my belief that my culture was and is simply wrong in dismissing or minimizing them.

Secondly, in "hanging out" with Indians I have realized that the naive idealism of spiritual seekers towards Natives is as one sided and prejudice as the "dirty drunk" stereotypes which are quite alive in Canada. Thus in my writing about Natives and my work with them I strive for a middle ground integrating their peaks and pain. Another aspect of this middle ground goal is to demystify whites in their eyes again from either extreme.

Go to:   (A).   A Course in the Spirit for Indians 
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