TAWAH is a Native American term which means the Inner Sun of our Human Spirit's and Life's Plan.
The Learning Centre for Human Development in Summerfield Ohio, founded by my Cherokee Elder Venerable Pa'Ris'Ha, offers a profound youth program that applies traditional native American principles when guiding and raising troubled youths to become purposeful citizens of this world.
The TAWAH Youth Leadership program " assists adolescents in forming and maintaining more adequate interpersonal relationships with others-peers, family and the community alike, to successfully begin to achieve a sense of personal autonomy and accomplishment as is practically displayed in school, work and family settings, and to assist the participants in viewing themselves as productive members of their communities."
Grandmother was approached to not only present a welcome message to all the International youths that arrived in New York for the 5th annual Youth for Human Rights International Summit, but to provide a delegate from the Tawah program to represent the U.S. Four incredible mature aware and dedicated youths traveled with her (and their chaperons of which I was one) to the UN to participate and carry the flag for the U.S. Anastasia, Jade, Phoenix and Clarity learned of the extraordinary efforts of youths from around the world to increase awareness for human rights.
In the morning at the UN the ceremonial procession of the delegates with their flags was impressive to the packed room in the UN that held human rights activists and leaders from around the world. Our Anastasia moved the audience with her explanation of how they implement the Tawah program at the center and her native song.
Among the young delegates was a beautiful Vietnamese young man whom we all quickly noticed had a flag pole but no flag. It was soon apparent that he had brought the South Vietnamese flag but was not allowed to display it as it was not recognized as an official flag. He refused to carry the communist flag nor the communist box, a token present to the UN officials. He did however keep his flag folded and under his shirt. Again another reality that was emerging for these young people eager to do something to make a difference.
