Pre European History for North American People

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Pre 1600 knowledge, myth, lore, ways, & history upon the Native Peoples of the North Western Part of the world. Trying to relearn the teaching stories & ways of the past.

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  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind and spirit."
    -- Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX
    Be still and know. All new learnings, all ideas about new things, creativity, daydreaming and mental effectiveness come to those who learn about silence. All warriors know about the power of silence. All Elders know about stillness. Be still and know God. Meditation is about the place of silence. This is the place to hear God's voice. We can find tremendous amounts of knowledge in the place of silence. This is the sacred place of God.

    Great Spirit, teach me the power of silence

    Jan 23, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Always listen to what the Elders say."
    -- Dona Josefa Medrano, HUICHOL, SIERRA MADRE, MEXICO
    In school we have been taught to go to the encyclopedia when we need information about certain subjects. From the time we are little, we have a natural tendency to seek out role models. When we need information about living we tend to seek out books about living. These maybe self help books. The world is full of information. For the Native people, we have our Elders. All races have Elders. Our lives will run much smoother when we listen to the Elders. They don't always tell us what we want to hear, but they always tell us what we need to hear. The Elders have the ability to make the truth sweet.

    Creator, thank You for the Elders. Help me this day to listen to them

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Flexible strength is better than inflexible. Let the storm flow over you, and then pop back up."
    -- Michael Kabotie, HOPI
    Flexibility is taught by nature. You will see the trees bend in the wind. You will see that tree branches are flexible. To be rigid is to break. When we have life problems it is good for us to be flexible. Sometimes we need to flow with what is going on. If we resist, it becomes more painful. We need to be on the path of least resistance. Water flows down the mountain through the path of least resistance. Electricity flows through the path of least resistance. Power flows through the path of least resistance. As Indian people our strength has always been our flexibility.

    Creator, I will be flexible today because I know You are with me

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Parents have to demonstrate the value of trust, respect, and honor."
    -- Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders
    Children learn more by watching than by listening. If we want our children to understand and value trust, they know it by watching how adults live their lives! If we want the children to be respectful, they will observe what the adults do and say to each other. We need to walk our talk. We need to remember the children are watching.

    Grandfather, help me learn these important values: Trust, Respect, and Honor

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Hear me! A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong."
    -- Tecumseh, SHAWNEE
    You can take one arrow and break it in half. But if you take 12 arrows in a bundle, it's almost impossible to break any of them. There is strength in Unity. When we are together we are very powerful. This is the way the ancestors told us we need to be. Strong. We need to unite ourselves. This is why the Elders say, when we make decisions, we must first consider the good of the people. If every person in the community thinks this way, then we will always make strong decisions.

    Creator, let my decisions have the strength of the bundle

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "In order for our children to survive in the world, they need a firm understanding and belief in the basic principles of sharing freedom and respect of individuality."
    -- Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders
    There is a saying: Tell me, I'll forget; Show me, I'll remember; Engage me; I'll understand. The adults need to determine what the younger generation is learning. The principle of sharing keeps the youth from being greedy and selfish. The principle of freedom teaches the youth about choices, decisions and consequences. The principle of respect keeps us from playing God and becoming a controller of all things. We need to learn these lessons so we may demonstrate them for our children.

    Great Teacher, help me to understand Your principles

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Peace... comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the Universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."
    -- Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) OGLALA SIOUX
    If we are to know peace we must look within ourselves. In order to do this, we must learn to be still. We must quiet the mind. We must learn to meditate. Meditation helps us locate and find the center that is within ourselves. The center is where the Great One resides. When we start to look for peace, we need to realize where it is within ourselves. When we experience conflict we need to pause for a moment and ask the Power within ourselves, "How do you want me to handle this? What would you suggest I do in this situation?" By asking the High Power for help we find peace.

    Creator, help me to find peace

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Come forward and join hands with us in this great work for the Creator."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders, NORTHERN CHEYENNE
    The Elders have spent years learning to pray and communicate with the Great Spirit. Their job is to pass this knowledge onto the young people. The Elders have told us we are now in a great time of healing. The Creator is guiding them to help the young people figure this out. We must get involved and participate. We should pray and see what it is the Great Spirit wants us to do. We need to sacrifice our time to help the people and to be of maximum use to the Creator. Every person is needed to accomplish this great healing.

    Creator, whisper what You want me to do

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The Natural Law will prevail regardless of man-made laws, tribunals, and governments."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders, NAVAJO-HOPI Joint Use Area
    The Great Spirit made Laws by which Man needs to live. These Laws are just and are about living in harmony. Man has passed many laws that say it is okay to do things. Many of these man-made laws are out of harmony with the Laws of the Great Spirit. These man-made laws will cause trouble for the human being if they are out of harmony with the Laws of the Creator.

    Great Spirit, teach me Your Laws

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We as men should not fear our mates; we should listen to their counsel."
    -- Oren R. Lyons, Spokesman, Traditional Circle of Elders
    The Elders say the men should look at women in a sacred way. The men should never put women down or shame them in any way. When we have problems, we should seek their counsel. We should share with them openly. A woman has intuitive thought. She has access to another system of knowledge that few men develop. She can help us understand. We must treat her in a good way.

    Great Spirit, let me look upon the woman in a good way

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "A man should rely on his own resources; the one who so trains himself is ready for any emergency."
    -- Oral Tradition, OMAHA
    Man is designed to function independently and to rely on the Creator for his resources. If we build our relationship with the Great Spirit, we are ready when emergencies occur. We need to build a trusting relationship with the Creator. We do this by constantly talking with the Creator. It's good to talk to Him many times a day. Then we will realize, even though we can't see Him, that He is always with us and He is ready to respond to our requests.

    God, let me remember to talk to You many times today

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "And that, I guess, is what it all boils down to; do the right thing, everything goes fine; do the wrong thing, everything's a mess."
    -- Robert Spott, YUROK
    The Elders say every person is born with free will and every person has a specific purpose to accomplish during their lifetime. When our life is relatively free from obstacles we are walking the path of God's will. If our life is full of obstacles, we are not doing the will of God. Often, the Great Spirit guides us through a system of coincidences. We need to pay attention to coincidences. If we are aware of these, we often can recognize the path which God is showing us. We need to pray and ask Him to show us the path in terms we can understand.

    Oh, Great Mystery, let me recognize the coincidences

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "I've had a long regard for generational things: pottery, cultural things, participation in dancing, and extended family. Only in that way does culture survive; only in that way is culture active.
    -- Tessie Naranjo, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO
    Culture teaches us how to live and it ensures that knowledge about life is handed down from generation to generation. Culture gives us the feeling of belonging. It helps us raise our family in a good way. It teaches us how to treat one another. Culture sets boundaries for societies. We need to develop our culture. If we have left our culture, then we need to come back to it. Culture leads us back to the Great Spirit. Sometimes in our lives, we leave what we know works and experiment with something else. Then we get into trouble. So we need to come back home. Indian people are lucky to have a culture to return to.

    Creator, thank you for the culture. Let me live it today

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "In the end I tell my children, there's no way I can tell you how to be an Acoma, how to be an Indian. You have to experience it."
    -- Stanley Paytiamo, ACOMA PUEBLO
    Each person must make their own journey. It is like every human is given a life canoe. The canoe has one seat and one paddle. In order to get anything out of life we must be in the canoe and we must paddle down the river of life. Now, I can share with you how my journey has been, but I cannot paddle your canoe. You must paddle your own. Good luck!

    Creator, I'm so glad I have You to guide my path

    Jan 24, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Also ask your heart to purify and cleanse this defect and harmful desire. Ask also the help of the inner father and mother. Every time we eliminate a defect, we build our soul, our inner temple. We ascend. like going up a stairway."
    -- Willaru Huayata, QUECHUA NATION, PERU
    The building blocks to knowledge and wisdom are constructed through the lessons of our character defects if we constructively review our conduct each day, asking where we are resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid. Remember, we need to review constructively, not destructively. Destructive review is when we ask, "what's the matter with me anyway." or "how could I be so stupid?" These question lead to morbid reflection or remorse and seriously affect our self esteem. In constructive review we ask, "what will I do next time?" With constructive review we progressively eliminate the defect and replace it with wisdom.

    My Creator, allow me to have my defects because through them I gain in knowledge of Your will

    Jan 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We call it the `sacred' red road because it is the road that will lead us to living the good life, an honest and healthy life."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    The Red Road is the path we walk on when we want a direct relationship with the Great Spirit. This requires sacrifice. This requires us to have our beliefs tested. To walk this path is really an honor. The returns for doing so are exciting, not only for ourselves but for the effect that will be felt for three generations. This means your children will see the benefits as well as your grandchildren. Do I want to walk this sacred road?

    Great Spirit, guide myself and my family on the Red Road

    Jan 28, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The journey to the Spirit World is a long one, my friend. But when you die, that doesn’t mean that this is the end."
    -- —Buddy Red Bow, LAKOTA
    The Elders tell us of the other dimension, the Spirit World. Our spirit in our bodies does not die, it only looks that way to our eyes and our brains. Some of our ceremonies allow us to see into the Spirit World. Death is only part of a process of life. It shows the transition into the Spirit World. The Elders tell us this is a joyful life journey.

    My Creator, help me to understand both the seen world and the unseen world. Let me not be afraid of the world You live in

    Jan 28, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "All life is a circle."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    The atom is a circle, orbits are circles, the earth, moon, and sun are circles. The seasons are circles. The cycle of life is a circle: baby, youth, adult, elder. The sun gives life to the earth who feeds life to the trees whose seeds fall to the earth to grow new trees. We need to practice seeing the cycles that the Great Spirit gave us because this will help us more in our understanding of how things operate. We need to respect these cycles and live in harmony with them.

    Great Spirit, let me grow in knowledge of the circle

    Jan 28, 2013

  • miyoko canter

    good afternoon.

    Jan 28, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Bright days and dark days were both expressions of the Great Mystery, and the Indian reveled in being close to the Great Holiness."
    -- Chief Luther Standing Bear, SIOUX
    The Great Spirit created a world of harmony, a world of justice, a world that is interconnected, a balanced world that has positive and negative, this way and that way, up and down, man and woman, boy and girl, honest and dishonest, responsible and irresponsible, day and night. In other words, He created a polarity system. Both sides are to be respected. Both sides or anything are sacred. We need to do good and we need to learn from our mistakes. We need to honor what takes place in the daytime and we need to honor what takes place in the nighttime. We learn that we need to learn and we see what we are supposed to see by staying close to the Great Spirit. We need to be talking to Him all the time, saying "Grandfather, what is it you want me to learn?"

    Great Spirit, let me learn today that all things are sacred. Help me stay close to You, my Creator

    Jan 30, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We grieve more because we have been disconnected from our earth, our first Mother, our spiritual Mother."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    Where does all life come from? The Earth. Where does everything return to? The Earth. Where do values come from? The Earth. Many people are lost because they don't know the importance of connection to the Earth. They connect to money, to relationships, to success, to goals. When we are disconnected from the Earth, we have feelings of being sad or lost. When we are connected to the Earth, we feel warm and secure.

    Great Spirit, help me to stay connected to the Mother Earth.

    Jan 30, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "You can't just sit down and talk about the truth. It doesn't work that way. You have to live it and be part of it and you might get to know it."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    We all read books that have much information in them. Often we pick up on little sayings that we remember. Inside of us is the little owl, the owl of knowing. It talks to us - guiding us and nurturing us. Often when we get information, it's hard to live by, but it's easy to talk about. It's living the Red Road that counts - Walk the Talk. If we really want freedom in our lives, if we really want to be happy, if we really want to have peace of mind, it's the truth we must seek.

    My Creator, help me in my search for the truth today

    Feb 1, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "In sharing, in loving all and everything, one people naturally found a due portion of the thing they sought, while in fearing, the other found need of conquest."
    -- Chief Luther Standing Bear, SIOUX
    There are two systems of thought that are available for us to choose from. One is the love-thought system and the other is the fear- thought system. If we choose love, we will see the laws, principles and values of the Creator. If we choose fear, the results will be so paralyzing that it will cause us to take over and not rely on the Great Spirit. The fear-thought system will automatically cause attack, conflict, need to control over others. The love-thought system seeks peace of mind, unity and causes us to be love seekers.

    Great Spirit, today let me see only love

    Feb 1, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Let the person I serve express his thanks according to his own bringing up and his sense of humor."
    -- Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX
    "It is better to give than receive." But it doesn't really matter if we are giving or receiving. There is an identical feeling associated with both. We get this feeling every time we receive. We can't control when we receive gifts but we can control when we give gifts. Therefore, the more we give, the better we feel. When we are given gifts, or someone does something for us, it is the Indian way to honor this person.

    Great Spirit, let me honor and be respectful to those who are good to me today

    Feb 5, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    We say there is a right time and place for everything. It's easy to say, but hard to understand. You have to live it to understand it."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    The Elders tell us there is a right time and a right place. Don't plant seeds in the fall - wrong time. One way we find out about the right time and right place is our experience. If we are lucky, we have a few friends who will share their experience; this will help us too. The best way is to let God guide us. Only He knows the right time and the right place. So we need to pray and ask Him for guidance.

    Great Spirit, show me patience so I can live in the right time and right place

    Feb 5, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    It's very hard to do things in the right manner, but as long as we do things right, we are in turn with the Great Spirit."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    When we are right with the Great Spirit, we are right with all things. It is impossible to be out of harmony with anything or anybody when we are in harmony with the Great One. So, if during the day a problem crops up and someone makes us mad, the best thing we can do is talk to the Creator first, ask for His help, then continue our conversation with the other person. In this way, our emotional nature will keep aligned with our thoughts, and we will always stay right with the Great Spirit.

    Great Spirit, I ask You to guide me on the Red Road today

    Feb 5, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is everything where power moves."
    -- Black Elk (Hehaka sapa), OGLALA SIOUX
    In these modern times it is difficult to understand why we should think circles and seasons. People and society are always moving, through distance, over yonder, going here and going there - hurry up, grow up, be successful, climb the ladder of success, etc. The Elders tell us to slow down, to be patient, pray and think circles. Circle thinking applies to relationships, business and every area of our lives. We need to teach our awareness to look for seasons and cycles.

    My Creator, teach me the seasons of growth

    Feb 5, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    We hold on to our otuhan, our give-aways, because they help us to remain Indians."
    -- Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    Our traditional communities and villages function on interdependence. Share the deer and give freely of what you have to another. Another way to express this principle is, it's better to give than to receive. To share what you have eliminates complexity. The Elders say, live a simple life. One of the principles in the Unseen World is, the more you give, the more you get. You can become a channel for abundance for your family, tribe, or community. A giving person sets up a flow or replacement. Whatever you share will be returned to you in an amount equal or greater. The Indian way is for everyone to give to another, thus the community wins.

    Great Spirit, today, teach me the principle of giving. Let me be Your channel of abundance

    Feb 6, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Oh God! Like the Thunderbird of old I shall rise again out of the sea; I shall grab the instruments of the white man's success - his education, his skills, and with these new tools I shall build my race into the proudest segment of your society."
    -- Chief Dan George, SALISH
    One thing the Indian people do well is adapt. This is why we survive. We must learn to keep our culture, but also to learn the good things that other races have to offer. Education is the future weapon of Native people. We must learn the legal system, health, science and engineering. Indian people have great contributions to make to the world. We need to educate ourselves so we can better protect the land and our children. Otherwise, we will lose the things and the land that we have.

    Great Spirit, make me teachable today

    Feb 11, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The ground on which we stand is sacred ground. It is the dust and blood of our ancestors."
    -- Plenty Coups, CROW
    Mother Earth is the source of life and the place all life returns to. She gives us life. She feeds us through our journey and she waits for us to return to her. The Indian way is to recognize the earth as the place of our ancestors. That is why certain places on earth are considered sacred areas and sacred land; this is the place of our ancestors. We all need to reflect upon the earth, the place where our ancestors lived. We need to have love and respect for the earth.

    My Creator, let me honor the place of our ancestors, Mother Earth

    Feb 11, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "It can be 100 degrees in the shade one afternoon and suddenly there comes a storm with hailstones as big as golf balls, the prairie is all white and your teeth chatter. That's good - a reminder that you are just a small particle of nature, not so powerful as you think."
    -- Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    No event, no relationship, no joy, no sadness, no situation ever stays the same. Every setback is only temporary. Even setbacks change. Why? Because the Great Spirit designed the world to be constantly changing. We are not the center of the universe, we are but a small part. The whole is constantly changing, and we as humans are constantly participating in the change. We have two choices, to resist change or participate in the change. Every change can be resisted, and every change can be made in cooperation. What will I choose today, resistance or cooperation?

    Great Spirit, teach me to make cooperative changes

    Feb 11, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "No individual or group can block another individual's path or change it against what fits his nature and his purpose. It might be done for a time, but in the end it won't work out."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    Every person is born for a purpose. We may know our purpose very early in our lives, or it may take us some time. Very often we need to experience many things before our purpose is clear to us. Sometimes we pick our goals to please others. Sometimes others pick our goals to make themselves happy. Often this makes us unhappy. We need to pray to the Creator and ask Him what our purpose is. When we live outside our purpose, our path is full of obstacles. When we live inside our purpose, our path is smooth. When we are aligned to our purpose, we are happy and content.

    Great Spirit, whisper to me, in terms I can understand, what You would have me do and I will do it

    Feb 11, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "I can tell you that understanding begins with love and respect. It begins with respect for the Great Spirit. All things - and I mean ALL things - have their own will and their own way and their own purpose; this is what is to be respected."
    -- Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
    Everything on earth has a purpose and is designed special. No two things are created identical. Sometimes in our minds we have a picture of how things should be, and often what we see is different from what they really are. When this happens we often want to control how things are, making them act or behave according to our picture. We need to leave things alone. God is running all things. How do we do this? In our minds we tell ourselves to love all things and respect all things just as they are. Accept what we cannot change.

    Great Spirit, teach me the value of respect and help me to accept people, places and things just as they are

    Feb 11, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    ".the spirit still has something for us to discover - an herb, a sprig, a flower - a very small flower, maybe you can spend a long time in its contemplation, thinking about it."
    -- Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    The world today is about hurry up! Get there faster! Work harder, produce more, hurry up, eat quickly, be on time, don't get stressed- headaches, conflict, drink to calm down, go to training on stress management, time management - STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP! Go spend 5 minutes with a flower or a plant. Look at it - think about it - look at its beauty, smell it, close your eyes and smell it again. Touch it; touch with your eyes closed. Listen to it; listen to it with your eyed closed. Slow your mind down. Think about the little things. Now close your eyes and pray.

    Great Spirit, this feeling of calmness that I have, let me have it all day long

    Feb 12, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Sometimes, life is very simple, but it is we two-leggeds, we who are thought to be smart that make it complicated."
    -- Larry P. Aitkin, CHIPPEWA
    Sometimes it may take years for us to find out what we are really after - it is to be happy. The Elders say, lead a simple life. This doesn't necessarily mean poor, it means simple. There are some things that makes life complicated such as needing control, needing power or being resentful or angry. These things make complications happen. We need to walk in balance in every area of our lives.

    Great Spirit, let me lead a simple life

    Feb 14, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "I wanted to feel, smell, hear and see, but not see with my eyes and my mind only. I wanted to see with CANTE ISTA - the eye of the heart."
    -- Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    Why is it that some people seem to have peace of mind every day? How do some people remain so darn positive? How do you stay positive if you work or live in a negative environment? How is it that two people can observe the same difficult situation, but one person is upset about it, and other isn't? Two people experiencing the same situation react entirely different. If each morning we ask the Creator to allow us to see with His understanding and with His love, we will open a new way of "seeing". This eye of the heart is a free gift given to us if we ask for it in prayer each day.

    Grandfather, allow me to see the world and all things You have made through "the eye of my heart."

    Feb 14, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    The Old Man said,`you are both ugly and handsome and you must accept your ugliness as well as your handsomeness in order to really accept yourself."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    My Grandfather told me one time that any person who is judgmental to another is also judgmental to themselves. If we want to be free of being judgmental, we need to first work on how judgmental we are to ourselves. If we quit judging ourselves and start accepting ourselves as we are, we will start accepting others as they are. Then we will experience a level of new freedom.

    Great Spirit, let me accept myself as I am - honoring both my strengths and my weaknesses

    Feb 19, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Laughter is a necessity in life that does not cost much, and the Old Ones say that one of the greatest healing powers in our life is the ability to laugh."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    Laughter is a good stress eliminator. Laughter causes healing powers to be distributed through our bodies. Laughter helps heal relationships that are having problems. Laughter can change other people. aughter can heal the sick. Laughter is spiritual. One of the greatest gifts among Indian people has been our ability to laugh. Humor is natural to Indian people. Sometimes the only thing left to do is laugh.

    Great Spirit, allow me to laugh when times get tough

    Feb 19, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Silence and self-control permeate the entirety of our lives."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    The Creator gave us all the Red Road and on this Red Road we are required to think and act in a spiritual way. To make sure I conduct myself according to the Red Road, I must make sure I develop my self discipline. Self control works best when we pray for the courage and power to do the will of the Great Spirit. We are here on the earth to do the will of the Great Spirit. Sometimes, we must battle ourselves to do this.

    Great Spirit, help me to have my self- control guided by spiritual ways.

    Feb 19, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Because woman lives so close to our first mother, the Earth, she emanates the strength and harmonious nature of all things."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    At an Elders gathering, held in July 1991, we were told the Indian woman would play an instrumental part in leading the healing of Indian nations. The old people said we were to look up to her in a sacred manner. They said the Earth Mother would give the woman special gifts of love. The woman and the Earth Mother are connected in a special way. Women should pay attention to the lessons coming from the earth. Men should treat the women with respect, dignity and honor.

    Grandfather, Grandmother, give the Indian woman Your strength to heal our earth

    Feb 19, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "One of the essential characteristics we need to learn as men was to be gentle, and to be gentle means to be serene, to enter meditation or a prayerful state in the morning and evening."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    The most important talk we can do during any day, is to start the day with prayer and meditation. We need to ask the Creator to be in our lives. We ask Him to direct our thinking. We ask Him for the courage and the power to be gentle. In the morning quiet time, we make our request for guidance using our spiritual tools. We pray for the people and we pray for ourselves. In the evening we thank the Creator for the day, for the lessons and for the opportunity to be of service to others. Then we go to sleep.

    Great Spirit, today, show me the power of being gentle

    Feb 19, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The Old Ones have always said that no matter who despises or ignores you, no matter who keeps you from entering their circles, it is right to pray for them because the are like us, too."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    You don't know how an apple tastes until you taste it. You don't know what a fish tastes like until you eat it. You don't know how it is to be a woman unless you are one. You don't know what it means to have a baby until you have one. So it is with the natural laws. An example: the natural law of forgiveness says, if you hate someone, pray for the person to be blessed with happiness, joy and all the blessings of the Great Spirit. You will not know about this law unless you do it. The natural law says love others as you love yourself. If you hate yourself or feel guilt in some area of yourself, you will tend to judge and condemn your neighbor. You cannot give away what you don't have. You teach your children by your example, not by your words. The natural laws are written in our hearts.

    Great Spirit, teach me how to look into my heart

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The Great Spirit is the one that's looking after us."
    -- Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWAY
    The only place our minds can find peace is when our focus is on the Creator. Daily we need to ask the Creator to direct our thinking. When we look at our brothers and sisters, we need to see the Creator in them. When we look at the trees, plants and the animals, we need to realize the Creator is within us. Our attention needs to be on the Creator. When we work, we do it for the Creator. When we are troubled, we need to pray to the Creator. When we are happy and joyful, we need to realize we are feeling the presence of the Creator. Thinking God thoughts will produce peace.

    Oh Great Mystery, let me focus on You today

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The Creator was responsible for the existence of everything, a part of the Creator's spirit exists in everything and thus all things are connected."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    The Creator designed nature, people, and all things as an interconnected system. Everything is connected to each other. This connection exists in the Unseen World. The same way our body parts are all port of the body - the parts are separate but also connected. If a part of our body is in pain, the rest of the body recognizes this pain as its own. In other words, the pain of one is the pain of all. This is also true of every interconnected system. Because we are connected, we should respect and take care of our Earth and each other.

    Great Spirit, let me treat everyone, today, as if they were You

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "But each of us must find out for himself or herself what their gift is, so that they can use it in their life."
    -- Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWAY
    The old people say, everyone has a song to sing. This song is the reason we are on this earth. When we are doing what we came on this earth to do, we know true happiness. How will we know our song? Pray. Ask the Great Mystery, "What is it you want me to do during my stay on earth?" Ask. He will tell you. He will even help you develop yourself to accomplish His mission.

    Great Spirit, help me find my song and let me sing it

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We've got to learn what's going on today in the world, and we've got to get an education so we can survive."
    -- Jimmy Jackson, OJIBWA
    Indian people have the ability to adapt. In these modern times, we Native people must walk two roads. We must get educated so our people don't lose. We need lawyers, doctors, nurses, foresters, scientists, educators, carpenters, welders. These skills are needed to help the people. While we are learning we need to remember to keep our culture, learn our dances, sing our songs, learn to speak our own language and maintain our culture for future generations.

    Great Spirit, let my education never lack the meaning and value of Indian spirituality

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on.

    Great Spirit, let me see life through Your eyes. Today let me be alive

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Every thing or living being that exists in this world, be it trees, flowers, birds, grasses, rocks, soil of the earth, or human beings, has its unique manner of existence - its essence, its spirit that makes it what it is. That is what is meant by connectedness."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    Scientists are finally realizing what the Elders have taught for thousands of years - everything is connected. Because everything is interconnected, whatever you do to any one thing, you do to everything. If you poison any part of the earth, the poison eventually affects everything else. If you poison the plants, the birds will eat the plants, which poisons the birds. The birds are eaten by humans which poisons the humans. The humans will have babies who could be deformed because the plants were poisoned. We must learn to live in harmony with the earth. We must learn to think good things. Every good thought is felt by everything, which causes everything to be happy.

    Creator, let my thoughts only be good thoughts

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "When a community does something together, that community is very happy, jovial, connected, and unified."
    -- Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
    The Indian People have always been able to adapt. If the hunting changed, we found new hunting grounds. If the earth changed, we moved to a better place. If the river changed course, we followed the river. But with every change, we kept our Indianness and spirituality. Our culture and spirituality have always been our strength. Our culture and spirituality taught us to live in harmony. We must change with the times, but we must maintain our culture and spirituality, always living in harmony.

    Great Spirit, You have taught us to survive. Let me always maintain my Indianness

    Feb 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "I have always searched for my place and my people."
    -- Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK
    For every human being to feel connected, we must have the feeling of belonging. That is one of the values and benefits of a culture: it creates the feeling of belonging. If for some reason, while you were growing up, you did not develop the feeling of belonging, a search will be triggered and a restlessness will be present in your heart. You will have a hole inside you, something missing, until you find your place and your people. Remember, we can get this feeling of belonging when we realize we belong to the Great Spirit and that He really loves us a lot.

    My Creator, today, I belong to You. Let me feel Your presence. Thank You

    Mar 5, 2013