Memorable moments shared with Archbishop Tutu

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In a private, invitation-only honoring ceremony, about two-dozen members of the University of Alberta's Aboriginal Student Services shared some precious time with noble peace prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the world's foremost architects of human rights.

Tutu was visiting Edmonton for the International Human Rights Conference held on Nov. 25 to 29.

The gathering, while structured, proved intimate and relaxed, incorporating prayers, gift-giving, Aboriginal dancing and several emotional hugs from Tutu, who Lewis Cardinal, communications director with Aboriginal Student Services, praised as an "inspiration . . . Elder and a warrior."

A ribbon shirt and Metis sash was presented to the archbishop by Cardinal. Two eagle feathers were presented by professor Stan Wilson and Violet Gladue as "symbols of spiritual freedom."

A pair of moccasins came from Virginia English and a healing bundle containing sage, cedar, sweetgrass and tobacco were offered by the student council vice-president, June Black.

Touched by the outpouring of fellowship and love, Tutu said, "I am overwhelmed!"

"You too," he added, "have strengthened us with your resilience. Despite all the forces against you, you have kept your values."

Tutu struck a cord with the Aboriginal group when he made reference to the things in nature which, "are not to be abused."

"When you walk on the soil, walk gently and walk reverently, because the earth is our mother," he stated.

Adding a dash of humor, Tutu told a creation story he obtained from First Nations people about how God created humans.

As God populated the world with plants, animals and humans, he placed a concoction in the oven, but forgot about it. By the time the Creator returned and removed the first batch of humans from the oven, they turned out very dark.

"That was us," said Tutu.

God repeated the process, he added, but opened the oven too soon and the people came out very light.

"That was the white race."

On God's third and final attempt, he timed it just right and the people had a nice, evenly tanned color.

"That was you," he concluded with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Tutu also spoke of color, race and other differences between humans that he said "are totally irrelevant."

"Remain as you are," he suggested in reference to Aboriginal people, a community he maintains reaches and touches the rest of the world with beautiful prayers and dances.

He went on to liken the universe to a vast field of many colored flowers - "some tall, some short, fat . . . all sorts." Then, he added, "God looks on all the flowers and says, "'ren't they neat!'"

When asked by Sweetgrass about parallels between Canada and Africa, Tutu said he shares a special affinity with the Aboriginal people of Canada because, "there are many similarities among our own people and our situations in South Africa."

The meeting with Tutu, according to Cardinal, was "to honor the work he had done." His presence, he added, "has revitalized the spirit of our students, and sometimes we need that."