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<DIV><SPAN class=370205321-01021999><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=3>As I
understand the tradition of the Six Nations Native People in North America, all
that has been said about the talking stick so far is so. However, there is more,
and this we don't do well in Open Space---at least the longest talking stick
ritual that I'm aware that any of us has done is about 3 hours. In native
tradition, often the circle with the talking stick goes on for days, until
everything that needs to be said is said. And long, long periods of silence are
most welcome. I would like to underline a word that Harrison used and that is
the word of respect. Respectful speaking, respectful silence, respectful
listening, and respect shown to the talking stick. I think it is important to
speak about this. Too often the talking stick, when someone is done, gets
plunked on the ground instead of being respectfully placed. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=370205321-01021999><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=3></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=370205321-01021999><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial
size=3>Warmest regards,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Birgitt<BR><BR>Birgitt Bolton of Dalar
Associates<BR>www.openspacetechnology.com<BR>55 Ravina Cres., Ancaster, Ontario,
Canada<BR> L9G 2E8<BR>phone: 905-648-5775 fax: 905-648-2262</FONT>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of</B>
owen<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, February 01, 1999 2:20 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Talking
Stick<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>At 01:29 PM 1/31/99 -0800, you wrote:</DIV>
<DIV>>A conversation for anyone interested in responding. I would
appreciate </DIV>
<DIV>>knowing:</DIV>
<DIV>></DIV>
<DIV>>What is the origin of the "talking stick?" How have
people used it in a Open</DIV>
<DIV>>Space meetings?</DIV>
<DIV>></DIV>
<DIV>></DIV>
<DIV>>Don Ferretti</DIV>
<DIV>></DIV>
<DIV>>______________________________ Reply Separator </DIV>
<DIV>Never having done the field anthropology I can't swear that the Talking
stick originated with Native Americans, but I am sure that every tribal
group I have even encountered on the North American Continent seems to have
some varient of the tradition. I don't recall the Eskimos in Alaska using a
talking stick, but the Inuits in Canada clearly do, and if I remember
correctly, there is a relationship. Although as I think about it, that
relationship may be with the Athabascans and the Eskimos are their own
thing. However, when you get into the SouthWest (Hoppi, Navaho, Utes, etc.)
lots of talking sticks. It seems also to be true with the southern tribes
like Seminoles, but I can't say that from personel experieince.. I have a
truly fine one made by a Southern Ute lady after we had done an Open Space
with their tribal council and some Anglos. It was truly fun watching the
Chiefs smile while the Anglos squirmed when we started in the circle. The
rules are real simple in any area I have been in. If you hold, the stick you
talk with respect. If you don't hold the stick, you listen with respect. The
role of the chief is to hold the space while it all goes on. The use in Open
Space pretty much follows the tradition. I find it particularly useful at
Evening News, and certainly at the close. </DIV>
<DIV>_________________________________</DIV><BR><X-HTML>
<CENTER>Harrison Owen <BR>7808 River Falls Drive <BR>Potomac, MD 20854
<BR>USA <BR>301-469-9269 (phone) <BR>301-983-9314 (fax) <BR>email
owen@tmn.com</CENTER></X-HTML></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>