Exploring Metaphor in Native American Story

**Exploring Metaphor in Native American Story with Grandfather Rick McBride; $20.**

Often thought of as simple, even childish allegories, Native American stories are much more profound than most people realize. Humans learn literally every bit of knowledge we carry through metaphor, the study of which is becoming a major field of linguistics. Given the enormous differences in common culture and indigenous world and universal understanding, exposing yourself to these stories can help expand your spiritual maturity and tear down the many boxes imposed by common culture.

Rick McBride is mixedblood Tsalagi (Cherokee) who has walked the Red Road for over 40 years. He was named Cante Lute (Schan-tay Lou-tuh) by the spirits through his sundance chief, which means Red Heart. He is a sundancer and has been traditionally trained and authorized to lead ceremonies, such as inipi (purification lodge), prayer with the Canunpah (Pipe), drum healing and so forth. He has been publicly teaching these ways for over 16 years now and recently completed his 19th Sundance. Workshops and lectures are one way to learn from the wisdom of Indian Country. Ceremony brings this knowledge to life. Combined, teaching and ceremony render practical guidance to everyday living. And so, Rick sees his role as that of “translator” of indigenous ways so that mainstream-educated people get the full benefit of these ways. It has taken him years of dedicated interaction with many Elders, as well as his activities as ceremonial leader to get to this place in his life.

For further information, visit his website: http://www.mixedblood.info