Butterfly Reflections:
Beginnings, Transformation and Renewal

Laura Medley, Executive Assistant, Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem

6 April 2025

Many indigenous cultures see butterflies as symbols of transformation, hope, rebirth, and freedom. They are fragile yet resilient, representing growth and new beginnings through their metamorphosis from caterpillars.

Here in Jerusalem, it is springtime, and the trees are blossoming, as I sit and enjoy Zion Square decorated with a butterfly theme marking the season of transformation, renewal, and freedom as we enter the biblical New Year and Pesach, a time of remembrance that Bnei Yisrael (sons of Israel), also went through a transformation. They were changed from slaves to free people as we read in the book of Exodus.

Over the past six months, I have had the blessing to travel from the US to Sweden, Israel, back to Sweden, back to the US, and now joyfully back in Israel, while serving with the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem.  During my time here this season, I’ve been reflecting on the butterfly's purpose of moving from place to place, from a quote that I read from Chabad Kids.

“While the butterflies seem to be just flitting around, having a good time and sipping nectar, they are actually fulfilling an important task: they are spreading pollen and helping the flowers reproduce.

“The footsteps of man are directed by G-d” (Psalms 37:23). Wherever we go, we have a mission to accomplish. Like butterflies, we can help others and accomplish good things everywhere we go, even when we are having fun.”[1]

Over this time, along with various administrative tasks, my work with IEJ has involved building relations with various indigenous peoples, including the Sami people of Sweden, the Jewish people of Israel, and Native American Indians from Northwest Washington and Oregon, one of which is my own Cowlitz Indian Tribe, in addition to the Jewish communities in these other regions. During my time in Sweden, I was honored to be asked to play alongside the Sami women’s choir singing their national anthem in the far north mountains of Sweden, with my native drum handmade and given to me by my hereditary chief, and adorned with a beautiful painting of an indigenous butterfly and two silver feathers by one of my cousins.  I also attended an October 7 memorial event in Stockholm where the Sami flag alongside the Israeli flag was raised in solidarity.  

On January 11, I attended Shabbat services at the great synagogue in Stockholm with a friend.  I was quite surprised and honored when a congregation leader came to me and asked me to perform the gelilah (rolling up and tying the Torah scroll and replacing its cover and ornaments at the end of the Torah reading). This was the Shabbat that Parashat Vayechi was read in synogogues around the world. This portion details Joseph revealing himself to his brothers and ends with Jacob giving the blessing to Ephraim and Manessah and then gives his blessings to all the tribes of Israel. This was quite an emotional day for me as I reflected on my great grandparents who immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's from Sweden, along with my Jewish and my native American heritage and now with the role with IEJ, in connecting and building relationships with our Jewish communities.

Then, while home in Washington and Oregon, I was asked to drum at various prayer events and landmarks on our ancestral lands, while praying for the welfare and peace of our country, state, and Israel.  In addition, I’ve joined in solidarity with my Jewish brothers and sisters at the October 7 memorial events, praying for the hostages to be released.

It is always a blessing to return to Jerusalem. I appreciate the opportunity to be here not only to enjoy and observe this very special season, but also to serve the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem as their Executive Assistant, aiding in the coordination of events and fostering connections for Indigenous Peoples globally that strengthen ties with Israel and its Indigenous inhabitants.

During this time and always, may we all remember to keep in prayer the release of those still held hostage, to return home now and, like butterflies, embrace their freedom and new beginnings.