Author Yuval Harari tells the legend about how the Apollo 11 astronauts trained for their space mission by spending time in the moon-like deserts out west. On one of their training expeditions, they met an old Native American who asked them why they were there. They replied that they were soon going to travel to the moon. The old man fell silent and then asked them to do him a favor. He said, “My people believe that holy spirits live on the moon. I was wondering if you could pass an important message to them from my people.” The astronauts agreed, so the man taught them to say something in his tribal language. He had them repeat it until he was sure they had memorized it correctly. But he wouldn’t tell the men what it meant, claiming it was a secret that only the moon spirits were allowed to know.
When the astronauts returned to their base, they searched until they found someone else who understood the native language so they could know the meaning of this secret message. When they repeated what the man had told them, the translator laughed uproariously. When he calmed down, the astronauts asked him what it meant. He said their memorized statement was this: “Don’t believe a single word these people are telling you. They have come to steal your lands.”
I love both the humor and the poignancy of this anecdote. I love the idea of astronauts like Buzz Aldrin or Neil Armstrong memorizing a phrase to share with moon spirits, even as I’m struck by the desire of this Native American wise man to warn other people about the avarice of American culture—even if these people literally lived on the moon.
We too quickly forget the Native American roots for the Pittsburgh area. Ohio, Aliquippa, and Youghiogheny are all Native American names and this entire region was profoundly shaped by tribal communities—drawn here by the rivers and abundant wildlife. The Adena tribe settled in the McKees Rocks area. Delaware, Shawnee, and Iroquois Indians migrated here after being chased off their lands farther east. Especially prevalent here were the Seneca people, led by their wise Chief Guyasuta. Unfortunately, the French and Indian War of 1754 set in motion land grabs by settlers, who overran the existing villages of Native American people along the three rivers.
It is common for human beings to define themselves by the land upon which they live. But sadly, much of modern history has involved displacing original land residents to make way for new colonies, settlements, and those seeking to claim profits from the God-given natural resources intended for all. So wherever you may travel this summer, strive to walk gently over the face of the earth. Be mindful of those who have gone before you—in many cases, those forcibly removed from the land upon which you stand—and be good stewards on behalf of those who will come after you. Such is the perspective that is in keeping with our faith in the God who was, who is and who will be—the One who is Lord from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same—the Creator and Great Spirit over us all.
—Randy Bush