June 2010 Commentary: Father Sky’s Day

Father’s Day is a time for children to express love and thanks to their fathers. It is also a day for fathers to celebrate fatherhood and to reflect upon their responsibilities to cherish their children and to provide for their needs and security. In America, Father’s Day originated in 1910 and is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June to honor fathers. This year of 2010 is the centennial celebration of Father’s Day festivities. At 91 years of age, my father of 60 years and I will be together happily to enjoy Father’s Day 2010—and hopefully on several more before he goes “fishing from the moon.”

Of course, paying respects to fatherhood has occurred throughout human existence in cultures worldwide. Moreover, a vital linkage exists between Mother Earth’s birthing life with nurturing care and sustenance and Father Sky’s providing energy as sunlight, wind, and rain as well as day’s light and night’s darkness filled with stars, planets, and the moon. We humans and other plant and animal represent their living children and relatives. Together, we are all interconnected and interdependent with the care, provision, and security of Mother Earth and Father Sky.

Indigenous peoples across the globe honor fathers, especially Father Sky, with ceremonial customs. For example, the feast of the Great Spirit/Great Mystery encompasses Mother Earth and Father Sky honoring Orenda (Iroquois), Asgaya Galun Lati (Cherokee), Wakan Tanka (Lakota) and Awonawilona (Zuni). Beginning on June 20 and lasting four days, the Lakota Sun Dance is a festival of prayer, fasting, dancing, and healing in honor of Sun God Wi, with offerings also made to Maka (Mother Earth) and Haokah (Father Sky) as all are aspects of Takuskanskan (Creator).

Let us enjoy Father’s Day 2010 in remembering our respective dads with thanks under the warm glow and embrace of Father Sky. Happy fishing, dominoes, horseshoes, baseball game, World Cup soccer match, lemonade or other refreshing beverage, or even time relaxing in conversation with “the old man” are simple ways to enjoy the tie that binds. I hope you and your dad can be together in body, if possible, somewhere outside for awhile on June 20. If this is not possible geographically, or if your dad is now “fishing from the moon” with Father Sky, then it is an opportunity in mind and spirit to connect with him, Father Sky, Mother Earth, and you.

With thanks to all fathers for providing for our needs and security,

Best regards,