The Four Hoops of Life

Turtle Women Rising Pledge:

1. We work to engage in a practice that is free of moral injury, allowing the freedom of our minds and hearts to guide us while sharing our expression of truth and our power as women. The power of love, compassion, and forgiveness is the most powerful energy that exists. Amongst Indigenous people, it is at the core of women’s way of living. 

2. We commit to planting and growing the seeds of power by standing with other women needing our support and sharing with those interested. We often retain the voices of our abusers, falsely taking this information as truth. Thus, the falsehoods become a part of our beliefs about who we are and what we deserve. These thoughts take root, creating deep injury in need of healing. 

3. We seek to find where these wounds live within us and reshape the old rules governed by men’s power over women. Unearthing the source of our opinions and choices tells the story of why we make choices that help or hurt us.

4. This work is the responsibility of every woman. To heal ourselves, we look at our life lessons with the scrutiny of a mouse and the eye of an eagle. We set forth to speak truth, setting us free from the lies we accepted and take responsibility for our path. 

5. We remember the walk of our ancestors who wait patiently in our DNA to be healed by us as we heal ourselves. We understand that our healing only strengthens our own voice, healing our Mother and teaching our young women that they matter.

6. We claim the right to express ourselves, to feel safe, supported, and believed in times of need. We take the responsibility to speak up for those who are paralyzed until they find the strength to speak for themselves if it is their wish.

7. We intend to connect, collaborate, and build a vibration of energy to change those things harmful to our lives. Working towards creating a space of support, kindness, and understanding.

8. We embrace acts to nurture ourselves and each other, holding our circle free of criticism, blame, or judgment. Allowing the process to move forward at spirit's own pace. 

9. We hold a space free of codependency, addictions, and victim-thinking that plague our lives, enough to immobilize our walk and question our future and value. We stand united, growing in numbers to change the face of women’s historical trauma. These abuses are cruel, reinforcing the lineage of a patriarchal system, one designed to weaken our voices.

10. We commit to teaching, guiding, learning from, and supporting women who understand the power of a collective voice. Intending to jar the very system that continues to enslave our thoughts, close our hearts, question our knowing, and drain our spirit.

11. We speak the voice of truth to expose those who harm women and seek justice for those who disrespectfully invade the space of a woman without consent. We strive to bring a balance that was once held in Indigenous communities, giving women an equal voice.

12. We proclaim the wellness, strength, and wisdom that lives inside each woman and seek to work towards sharing the gifts that live inside us. We strive to take the path that best serves our lives for the good of all. 

13. We embrace the circle of women from all walks of life knowing that we are one heartbeat and together everything is possible.