The Circle of Life

Posted Up: December 16th 2000 - Darren Brulé

Well, after the article 'Losing Someone Close', Darren Brule' sent in this article that touched on the same concept. He went as far as to record a song to help out w/ his situation, and that's cool. Since then, he's been doing his thing w/ Reddnation and here's his article. Oh, this marks the first featured writer for the site besides myself.

I wrote a song in the memory of my late cousin Wilburn Brulé from Wabasca/Desmarais, Alberta. That song is called "My Friend (Wilburn's Song)". It has been getting a fair amount of airplay on Edmonton's CFWE The Native Perspective 89.9FM. A lot of people from various reservations request it, I guess they can relate to it. I lost him in 1998. The guy who was driving drunk, the one who killed him was his friend. He became the enemy of the family. He only got a year's probation. And he's going around to youth events talking about it, as if he was the victim. I ask is this fair? What does this tell us of the justice system in northern communities for Aboriginal people?

Not fair. The circle of life is the way things are, that doesn't mean we have to like it. I mean, I grew up with this guy. He was only 19 when he died. Can you see yourself living life, trying to make a change for the better and than all of a sudden, lights out? How about seeing it from a mother and father's perspective? I don't think we see our mortality as clearly as we should.

I lost another cousin a couple days ago. He was considerably older, from my dad's side, where his family is an old one. For example, I have first cousins who are in their late 50s. This guy was around mid-forties. I never knew of him until my uncle's funeral a few months ago where I first met this man. He introduced himself outside of the hall where the wake was, having a cigarette. He said he was my cousin. It was all in passing, and I got to thinking of my own mortality after my dad told me of his death last night. How ironic, the place I first met this man who was my cousin, was the last place I saw him, and I will be seeing him buried at the same place this Saturday when I go home for the funeral.

The circle of life. More like a twist of fate. I guess the few who will take the time to read this will know the importance of doing good, being good, and becoming good. That's all that matters. Set good examples, and live a good life. And pray for a good death.

Death comes to us all, and there will be a day when Darren Brulé will have passed on. What will be my legacy? Music for sure. The love I gave to my wife, my daughter, and my family. And the love I gave to my LIFE.

The circle of life is there as a reminder, telling us that our time is limited and that we need to help each other succeed and make the most of it.

Peace.

All the best!

Darren 'Red Reign' Brulé
The Redd Nation

Posted on 04 Jun 2006 by Windreamer