<p>This is my conversation with <a target="_blank" href="https://nishamoodley.com/">Nisha Moodley</a>, where we talk about the threshold moment we’re in from a relationship perspective, how the themes of interdependence and partnership are being surfaced, and why Indigenous Leadership plays a key role in moving forward collectively. </p><p>Nisha is founder of Center for Devotional Leadership, and has been leading women and groups for nearly 20 years. She has done the deep work of integrating, cultivating and preparing to nurture other devotional leaders along the way. Her work is filled with depth and offers a North Star for people during a time of upheaval and change. </p><p>On the whole, the conflicts our society is experiencing is a result of imbalance. Yet, what’s happening ‘out there’ is a result of what is going on in our direct relationships across every area of life. As we try to find ways to move forward collectively, coming back to interdependence can help. Cultivating a tall spine and an open heart. Interdependence is ultimately a practice of relationship where we endeavor to create shared power: personally, professionally, economically, politically. </p><p>In this episode, we touch on a key moment in American history, and where there was a potential timeline split. I have just begun to learn about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/">The Haudenosaunee Confederacy</a> (also called the Great Law of Peace). It’s the oldest known participatory democracy, and represents a collection of six tribal nations who had a high degree of freedom and shared stewardship in maintaining their lifestyle. This was before the arrival of Europeans, and what inspired the founders of The United States, especially George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. It was Native Americans who gave the founding fathers an understanding of how structural freedom worked. Except when the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.indigenousnetwork.org/post/indigenous-world-awakens-the-great-law-of-peace">framers came together to refine the final version</a> of The Declaration of Independence, they left out two of the most important aspects of how The Haudenosaunee practiced democracy. 1) They removed the 7th Generation Principle, where decisions are made based on how it will impact the next seven generations. 2) The role of women—Chiefs (male political representatives) were appointed by a council of Clan Mothers. The Clan Mothers ran much of the social culture, and managed everything from shared land and resources to impeaching any Chief who was steering to tribe toward war or other anti-social behavior. Instead, these aspects were replaced with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hillsdale.edu/educational-outreach/free-market-forum/2008-archive/property-rights-in-american-history/">European values</a> of individual land ownership, taxes, and economic prosperity that were prioritized over structuring healthy relationships.</p><p>It makes me wonder what would have happened if Indigenous leadership had been honored and included then, and how we can reinstate the balance of this primary relationship template in order to affect health and change for all other relationships.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Relationship Health Club ✵ Regenerative Relationships at <a href="https://melissabelongea.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">melissabelongea.substack.com/subscribe</a>