"Then I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beheath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being.

And I saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy�."

---- Black Elk (Medicine man of the Lakota (Sioux)

"Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus should we do,
for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World."

---- Black Elk

"I have learned a lot from trees;
Sometimes about the weather,
Sometimes about animals,
Sometimes about the Great Spirits."

---- Tatanga Mani "Walking Buffalo"�� (Chief of the Nakoda, medicine man, naturalist, and peace advocate)

"We love quiet; we suffer the mouse to play; when the woods are rustled by the wind, we fear not."

---- Indian Chief, 1796, to the governor of Pennsylvania

"Hold on to what is good, even if it'��s a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe, even if it'��s a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do, even if it'��s a long way from here.
Hold on to your life, even if it'��s easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand, even if someday I'll be gone away from you."

---- A Pueblo Indian Prayer

"To us.., the ashes of our ancestors are sacred..
... and their resting place is hallowed ground."

---- Chief Seattle, 1855, upon surrendering his land to Governor Isaac Stevens

"There is no quiet place in white man’s cities.
No place to hear the unfurling of leaves in the Spring..,
.. or the rustle of an insect’s wings."

---- Chief Seattle

---------------------------------------

(*"The quiet must come from within.." - Me)

"You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, ��that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.

This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

---- Chief Seattle

"The old Lakota was wise, He knew that man's heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too."

---- Luther Standing Bear (Native American author)

"The old people came literally to love the soil and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power. It was good for the skin to touch the earth and the old people liked to remove their moccasins and walk with bare feet on the sacred Earth.

Their tipis were built upon the earth and their altars were made of earth. The birds that flew into the air came to rest upon the earth and it was the final abiding place of all things that lived and grew. The soil was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing."

---- Luther Standing Bear (Native American author), from "Land of the Spotted Eagle"

"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth, as "��wild".�� Only to the white man was nature a "��wilderness"�� and only to him was the land "��infested"�� with "��wild"�� animals and "��savage"�� people. To us it was tame.

Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. Not until the hairy man from the east came and with brutal frenzy heaped injustices upon us and the families we loved was it "��wild"�� for us. When the very animals of the forest began fleeing from his approach, then it was that for us the "��Wild West"�� began."

---- Luther Standing Bear (Native American author)

"Once in a while you find a place on earth that becomes your very own. A place undefined. Waiting for you to bring your color, your self. A place untouched, unspoiled, undeveloped. Raw, honest, and haunting. No one, nothing is telling you how to feel or who to be.

Let the mountains have you for a day."

---- Sundance

TEACHINGS - Eagles And Eagle Feathers

The Eagle (Migizi in Ojibway) holds a very special place for Native peoples. The Eagle soared so high in the heavens that Native peoples held it in high esteem since it was so much closer to the Creator. The Eagle became a power of vision, strength and courage. There are many special meanings and special uses for the Eagle.

Many Native teachings explain that Eagle is the Principle Messenger of Creator. Eagle flies the closest to Creator and, therefore, can see the past, present and future at a glance. Eagle sees the flow of change. Eagle alerts us to the changes so that we can respond appropriately. Eagle is the great illuminator and soars above us all, sometimes out of sight to us, but never out of its own sight. Eagle sees and hears all and sits in the east on the Medicine Wheel with the direction of leadership and courage.

In other words, Eagle is connected both to the spirit of Great Mystery and to the Earth and does both with ease. Eagle, therefore, is a powerful symbol of courage; that is why its feathers are such powerful tools for healing, and why there are special ceremonies for Eagle feathers. Eagle teaches us that it is okay to combine wisdom and courage — it is okay to be wise enough to know that a change needs to be made in one��s life and then finding the courage to execute the change.

A gift of an Eagle Feather is a great honor. It is a mark of distinction, one that could indicate that a rite of passage has been earned. The Eagle Feather represents the norms, responsibilities and behaviors that are all a part of the conditioning, learning and commitment to a spirit. It is in this way that life is honored and becomes whole.

The quill of an Eagle Feather represents stability, strength and foundation. In the Cycle of Life or wheel of life, it represents the spirituality of the people. This is where the beginning and ending meet. The quill represents the beginning and ending in the spiritual journey of life. Birth and death are represented here as rites of passage from and to the spiritual world. Conception, the nine month journey and childbirth are sacred and begin here. Traditionally, there were ceremonies or celebrations for the beginning of life.

The plume of an Eagle Feather or fluff is white, billowy and soft. It represents the purity, lightness and gentleness of a child full of the spirit and so new to the cycle of life. The plume is distinctive and usually a token of honor.

The plume in the Cycle of Life is the beginning of the formative years, childhood. It is the age of innocence, pride and dreams – a time for bonding and attachment to relationships, values, attitudes, behaviors, personalities, character and to the environment. It is a time for security and integration.

The vane of an Eagle Feather represents flexibility and adaptability with gentleness and firmness. The vane has a unique design as each feather is unique. Each individual is also unique. This is the expanded part of the feather just as youth are now expanding into the world and each is responsible for themselves.

In the Cycle of Life, the vane is the continuation of the formative years. The children have achieved their rights of passage, a boy becomes a hunter or warrior and a girl has reached womanhood. During this phase, there is learning and guidance. The mind, the mouth, heart and hand (avenues for the spirit) are being nurtured. Example and reinforcement are given in the proper direction to strengthen their spiritual well being and identity. It is a time of enrichment, logic and proof.

The entire feather is straight, strong, firm and gentle. The top portion represents the peak of life. The conduct of adulthood is to bring out the best in beauty and goodness. Men have achieved bravery, skill or character and have been renamed accordingly. Women have achieved a level of knowledge basic to the survival of the people. Self-discipline, survival skills, loyalty, solidarity, and respect within family are above all individual interests. The foundation laid for them is intact. Interdependence, empathy, insight and foresight enables them to be keepers and protectors of the culture. It is at this phase that marriage and child-bearing are foremost.

The opposite vane continues to represent flexibility and adaptability with gentleness and firmness. In the Cycle of Life, a level of seniority is established. Conduct of parenthood has been proven and movement into grand parenthood is inevitable. Relationships, community and nationhood are important. Responsibility for the welfare of others, young and old is the purpose of guidance. To encourage and support others is to give back what was given and to give more of one’s self.

As in the opposite, the plume of the Eagle Feather represents purity, lightness and gentleness. Purity in mind, body and spirit is achieved in old age. Elders become frail and weak like children. It is a very honorable age that speaks no arrogance or greed but the fulfillment of life to the best of ones ability. They become the keepers of the wisdom with peaceful energy, authority and purpose. Elders are as highly esteemed as the Eagle.

Once again the quill represents the beginning and ending in the spiritual journey of life. Death is at the end of the Cycle of Life and is also a rite of passage into the spiritual world. The spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of loved ones into eternity. One has known his natural space, only once does he pass this way, he has made his journey. To honor death is to honor life as both are important in the spirit world.

---- Bill Mason

One First Nations story is also about the eagle feather:

In the beginning, the Great Spirit above gave to the animals and birds wisdom and knowledge and the power to talk to men. He sent these creatures to tell man that he showed himself through them. They would teach a chosen man sacred songs and dance, as well as much ritual and lore.

The creature most loved by the Great Spirit was the eagle, for he tells the story of life. The Eagle, as you know, has only two eggs, and all living things in the world are divided into two. Here is man and woman, male and female and this is true with animals, birds, trees, flowers and so on. All things have children of two kinds so that life may continue. Man has two eyes, two hands, two feet and he has a body and soul, substance and shadow.

Through his eyes, he sees pleasant and unpleasant scenes, through his nostrils he smells good and bad odors, with his ears he hears joyful news and words that make him sad. His mind is divided between good and evil. His right hand he may often use for evil, such as war or striking a person in anger. But his left hand, which is near his heart, is always full of kindness. His right foot may lead him in the wrong path, but his left foot always leads him the right way, and so it goes; he has daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death.

In order to remember this lesson of life, look to the great eagle, the favorite bird of the Great Spirit. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, part light, and part dark. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter, peace and war, and life and death. So that you may remember what I have told you, look well on the eagle, for his feathers, too, tell the story of life.

Look at the feathers I wear upon my hand, the one on the right is large and perfect and is decorated; this represents man. The one on my left is small and plain; this represents woman. The eagle feather is divided into two parts, dark and white. This represents daylight and darkness, summer and winter. For the white tells of summer, when all is bright and the dark represents the dark days of winter.

My children, remember what I tell you. For it is YOU who will choose the path in life you will follow�� the good way, or the wrong way.

Another First Nations teaching:

When the world was new, the Creator made all the birds. He colored their feathers like a bouquet of flowers. The Creator then gave each a distinct song to sing. The Creator instructed the birds to greet each new day with a chorus of their songs. Of all the birds, our Creator chose the Eagle to be the leader. The Eagle flies the highest and sees the furthest of all creatures. The Eagle is a messenger to the Creator. To wear or to hold the Eagle Feather causes our Creator to take immediate notice. With the Eagle Feather the Creator is honored in the highest.

When one receives an Eagle Feather that person is being acknowledged with gratitude, with love, and with ultimate respect. That feather must have sacred tobacco burnt for it. In this way the Eagle and the Creator are notified of the name of the new Eagle Feather Holder. The holder of the Eagle Feather must ensure that anything that changes the natural state of ones mind (such as alcohol and drugs) must never come in contact with the sacred Eagle Feather. The keeper of the feather will make a little home where the feather will be kept. The Eagle feather must be fed. You feed the Eagle Feather by holding or wearing the feather at sacred ceremonies. By doing this the Eagle Feather is recharged with sacred energy. Never abuse, never disrespect, and never contaminate your Eagle Feather.

THE FIRE WITHIN

Each of us carries a fire within�.whether it's through the knowledge we have, or through our experiences and associations, we are responsible for maintaining that fire.

At the end of the day maybe we should ask ourselves: ��how is our fire burning?� Maybe that would make us think of what we’ve gone through that day — if we’d been offensive to anyone, or if they have offended us.

Maybe we should reflect on that because it has a lot to do with nurturing the fire within. And maybe if we did that….to let go of any distractions of the day by making peace within ourselves...maybe then we could learn to nurture and maintain our own fire within.

Another teaching is about the differences between men and women...and finding a balance in relationships of any kind between the sexes:

How fire represents the man; men are responsible for keeping the fire at ceremonies; that fire is like that male energy….when we take part in a sweat lodge ceremony it is like being reborn from the womb of Mother Earth….the lodge is that womb….the fire that heats the rocks that go into the lodge from the fire are like the male seed entering the womb….the water put on those rocks is the female energy...water represents the female....water is the lifeblood of Mother Earth with the lakes, rivers etc. that feed her....so women are keepers of the water while men are the keepers of the fire...what does this have to do with relationships????

...If man is fire and woman is water, then think of it this way: if you take fire and put it to water you create steam which is largely ��invisible...so too much on the male side can seem to make the female �disappear..if you take water and put it on fire, you can put the fire out...same thing then if too much on the female side; the male is �extinguished...so it'��s all about finding balance...not too much fire and not too much water....a balance or a ��partnership�� in learning to co-exist.

---(These teachings are all from Bill Mason)

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*SIDENOTE: There will be times when I don't edit enough and you will see this little "animal" among the words.. --> �

When you see it, just omit it from the word.. Sometimes it is suppose to be quotation marks...

THE GRANDFATHER STORY

Grandfather,

Look at our brokenness.

We know that in all creation

Only the human family

Has strayed from the Sacred Way.

We know that we are the ones

Who are divided

And we are the ones

Who must come back together

To walk in the Sacred Way.

Grandfather,

Sacred One,

Teach us love, compassion, and honor

That we may heal the earth

And heal each other.

OJIBWA PRAYER

Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds

And whose breath gives life to everyone,

Hear me.

I come to you as one of your many children;

I am weak …. I am small … I need your wisdom

and your strength.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever

behold the red and purple sunsets

Make my hands respect the things you have made.

And make my ears sharp so I may hear your voice.

Make me wise, so that I may understand what you

have taught my people and

The lessons you have hidden in each leaf

and each rock.

I ask for wisdom and strength

Not to be superior to my brothers, but to be able

to fight my greatest enemy, myself.

Make me ever ready to come before you with

clean hands and a straight eye.

So as life fades away as a fading sunset,

My spirit may come to you without shame..

TREE SINGING

Some have said they could go into the earth and sit there singing...

Some have said they would go up into trees

Standing stone people were the ones who sent them there...

Sitting high up in the trees....

Trees grown from the sacred roots where they were one day....

Sitting inside the earth and singing with those stones.....

---- UNKNOWN AUTHOR

Seven Grandfather Teachings

Among the Anishinaabe people, the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, also known simply as either the Seven Teachings or Seven Grandfathers, is a set of teachings on human conduct towards others. Originally from Edward Benton-Banai��s book The Mishomis Book”. An example of a contemporary Anishinaabe teaching presented in the form of a traditional teaching to be used in contemporary situations.

In Edward Benton-Banai��s story “The Mishomis Book” it is stated that the aadizookaan (traditional story) or the teachings of the seven grandfathers were given to the Anishinaabeg early in their history. Seven Grandfathers asked their messenger to take a survey of the human condition. At that time the human condition was not very good. Eventually in his quest, the messenger came across a child. After receiving approval from the Seven Grandfathers, tutored the child in the ��Good way of life��. Before departing from the Seven Grandfathers, each of the Grandfathers instructed the child with a principle.

A very thorough re-formulation of a variety of ancient Anishinaabe/Midewiwin teachings on the ethics of proper behaviour and conduct. Benton-Banai manages to incorporate many traditional teachings into his story about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Benton-Banai succeeds in showing how an Anishinaabe Traditional Teacher can borrow from traditional teachings and recombine and change them to make them relevant to contemporary issues faced by Anishinaabe people.

The Seven Grandfathers are traditional teachings given by the Creator to the Ojibwe to teach them what is important so that they know how to live. The Seven Grandfathers are traditional teachings on Love, Humility, Honesty, Courage, Wisdom, Truth and Respect. Each of the Grandfathers is a lesson that is viewed as a gift of knowledge for the learning of values and for living by these values.

According to the aadizookaan (traditional story), the teachings were given to the Anishinaabeg early in their history. Seven Grandfathers asked their messenger to take a survey of the human condition. At that time the human condition was not very good. Eventually in his quest, the messenger came across a child. After receiving approval from the Seven Grandfathers, tutored the child in the ��Good Way of Life��. Before departing from the Seven Grandfathers, each of the Grandfathers instructed the child with a principle.