My Native Brothers, do you believe you can honor your tribe and treat the women in your life with less honor? Do you believe you can honor our ceremonies and teachings and treat the women in your life with less honor? Do you believe you can honor Turtle Island and treat the women in your life with less honor? Do you believe you can honor your brothers in the faith and treat the women in your life with less honor? If your children or grandchildren, dog or cat (if they could talk), had to testify under oath, would you be afraid or feel shame about what is shared?

It is time for us men to truly examine our hearts and make the changes necessary to become true men of honor. Ask yourself:

• Would I speak to Jesus in the same tone of voice as I often do to the women in my life?

• Why am I wasting precious energy on anger when I could use that same energy to express love and caring?

We Native men of faith are also members of the “Bride of Messiah.” Do we want to be treated like we have treated others?

The suicide of a dear friend shook my soul and I am deeply examining my own life, attitudes, and actions. Maybe you could join me and we could make some changes for the better that our women may find to be freeing; creating feelings of security and experiences of love for them. Please think and pray about it.