Pre European History for North American People

35 members

Description

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.

Comments Discussions Members
Load Previous Comments

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Each person's prayers can help everyone."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    Prayer is our entrance into the Unseen World. It is by prayer we can call upon the powers and laws of the Great Spirit. The Spirit World has powers and laws that are different from the Physical World. The spiritual laws allow healing to take place; they allow forgiveness to occur; they cause miracles to happen; they cause hate to disappear; they heal broken relationships; they guide every moment of our lives; they allow us to love even when it's hard. Prayer allows us access to the Spirit World.

    Creator, teach me to pray.

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The real meaning of life is your family, the love that you have, the respect, the traditional ways, and carrying on with them."
    -- Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN
    The family is the seed of the future. The family is the key to the transfer of cultural information. We should really take a look at how we are looking at our families. Are we treating each family member with respect? Are we passing on the traditional ways? Are we teaching the old songs? Are we participating in the ceremonies? Are we showing the family members how to pray? Are we encouraging each family member to be spiritual? Think about these things today.

    My Creator, today, let me show respect to each family member

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Each creature has a medicine, so there are many medicines. Because they are so close to the Creator, they are to communicate that medicine. Then they bring help and health."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    The Elders say everything has a purpose and everything has a will. We should never interfere with purpose or the will of everything. Every plant, creature, animal, insect, and human being has a purpose to be here on the Earth. Each has a special medicine to contribute for the good of all things. Each person also has good medicine, a special talent, a special gift. These medicines are to help others or to help make us healthy. What is your special medicine?

    Creator, today, help me discover and use my medicine to serve a greater good

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "You must be prepared and know the reason why you dance."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    Inside every human being is a need to dance. We dance to music. Have you even wondered why people are moved when they hear an Indian Drum? The drum is the heartbeat of the Mother Earth. Every Indian dance is for a purpose and a reason. Every Song is for a reason. The beat of the drum makes our bodies, minds, and spirits join together in harmony. It allows us to connect to Mother Earth and to each other. The dance aligns our minds to think spiritual thoughts. Dancing to the drum is healthy.

    Great Spirit, today, I dance to honor you

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Conciliation is the key to survival. Peace is the goal."
    -- Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders
    When we make decisions or experience conflict we need to look at the greater whole. The end result we want to accomplish is peace of mind. If we keep this goal in mind, we will, overall, live a happy and fulfilling life. Everything in the world is constantly changing so we should not resist this change. A good question to ask ourselves is, "would I rather be right or happy?". If we would rather be happy, then it is easier to let the little things go. If we would rather be right, we tend to look for the WIN/LOSE.

    Great Spirit, today, give me the tools to seek peace of mind

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We all come from the same root, but the leaves are all different."
    -- John Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    We all come from one Great Spirit but we are all different and unique. Nothing in the Great Creation has a twin that is identical. Even children that are twins are different. Every single person is extremely special and unique. Each person has a purpose and reason why they are on the Earth. Just like every leaf on a tree is different, each one is needed to make the tree look like it does. No leaf is better or worse than the other — all leaves are of equal worth and belong on the tree. It is the same with human beings. We each belong here and do things that will affect the great whole.

    Great Spirit, today, let me see myself as a valuable contributor to the whole

    Apr 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "If those bad words come, I let them come in one ear and go out the other. I never let them come out of my mouth. If a bad word comes in your ear and then comes out of your mouth, it will go someplace and hurt somebody. If I did that, that hurt would come back twice as hard on me."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    What do we do with temptations when they come? What do we do when we hear gossip? What do we do when we hear bad things? If we hear these things and pass them on we will not only hurt the other person, but we will do harm to ourselves. We must be careful not to hurt others. Whatever we sow we will simultaneously reap for ourselves. We must be accountable for our own actions.

    Great Spirit, today, let no words come from my lips that would hurt another

    Apr 26, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The law is that all life is equal in the Great Creation, and we, the Human Beings, are charged with the responsibility, each in our generation, to work for the continuation of life."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders
    Every generation is accountable to leave the environment in healthy order for the next generation. Every generation is accountable to teach the next generation how to live in harmony and to understand the Laws. We need to ask ourselves, "What are we teaching the next generation?". Each individual is directly accountable.

    My Creator, teach me inter-generational responsibility

    Apr 27, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "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...The soil was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing..."
    -- Luther Standing Bear, OGLALA SIOUX
    Have you ever noticed the relationship between children and the soil? Watch how happily they are touching the dirt. The children play in it and eat it. If you are stressed, go to a spot on the Earth, sit down, put your fingers in the dirt, dig in it. Wash your hands in the soil. When you touch it, notice what it does to your hands. Our bodies love to touch the Earth. Sometimes we get too busy and forget these simple things. Maybe you'll even want to plant a garden or flowers. These things are mentally healthy.

    Great Spirit, today, let me touch the Earth so the Earth can touch me

    Apr 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Indians living close to nature and nature's ruler are not living in darkness."
    -- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
    There are many Indian people who are living according to nature and according to ceremony and culture. They may not have a lot of material things, but that doesn't mean they are not successful. What is success anyway? Can success be measured by material things? What is it we are really chasing anyway? The Elders say that what everyone really wants is to be happy and have a peaceful mind. Material things by themselves do not bring happiness and peace of mind. Only spiritual things bring happiness. When we live a spiritual life we will not have darkness. Instead, we will be happy.

    Great Spirit, today, let me walk the Red Road

    Apr 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Modern civilization has no understanding of sacred matters. Everything is backwards."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    Modern civilization says, don't pray in school; don't pray at work; only go to church on Sunday. If you don't believe what I believe, you'll go to hell. Deviancy is normal. Our role models cheat, drink and run around; these are the people in the news. The news sells bad news; no one wants to hear good news. Kids are killing kids. Victims have little protection. Violence is normal. Leaders cheat and lie. Everything is backwards. We need to pray for spiritual intervention. We need to have guidance from the Creator to help us rebuild our families, our communities and ourselves. Today, I will pray for spiritual intervention from the Great Spirit.

    Grandfather, we pray for your help in a pitiful way

    Apr 30, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Think only about what is holy. Empty your mind."
    -- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    If we let our minds wander, we will come up with a lot of junk; maybe bad thoughts about a brother or sister, maybe angry thoughts, maybe self-pity thoughts. Our minds are not the boss. We can instruct our mind to think about whatever we want to think about. We cannot stop thinking, but we can choose what to think about. The Elders say we move towards what we think about. That's why they say, "Think about what is holy, think about the Grandfathers, think about culture, think about values, think about ceremonies, and think about good."

    Great Spirit, today, empty my mind and let me experience what it would be like to think about what is holy

    May 2, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "All living creatures and all plants derive their life from the sun. If it were not for the sun, there would be darkness and nothing could grow — the earth would be without life."
    -- Okute, TETON SIOUX
    This is why we call the sun, Father Sun. Father Sun shines life on Mother Earth and from this Father and Mother all life forms exist and continue to reproduce. The Sun shines on all; it is not selective. We should not allow anything to block the Sun from shining on the Earth. We must not pollute the air because the pollutants block the light of life to the Earth. If the Earth cannot receive this light, then life will start to be affected. We must live in harmony with the Sun and Earth. Otherwise, we are harming ourselves.

    My Creator, give me the wisdom to live in harmony with all things

    May 2, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "But I have learned a lot from trees: sometimes about the weather, sometimes about animals, sometimes about the Great Spirit."
    -- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
    Nature is the greatest teacher on the Earth. Nature produces many different plants, animals, trees, rocks, birds, insects, and weather patterns. Nature designed all these various things to grow and multiply while at the same time live in harmony with each other. We can learn a lot of we observe and study Nature's system of harmony and balance. Today, go sit on a rock and quietly observe and ask to be shown the lessons.

    Great Spirit, Nature is my teacher. Today, let me be the student

    May 3, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We must all become caretakers of the Earth."
    -- -- Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders
    Mother Earth is the source of all life. We should not only be concerned about the part of the Earth we live on, but we should be concerned about the parts of the Earth that other people live on. The Earth is one great whole. The trees in Brazil generate the air in the Untied States. If the trees are cut in Brazil, it affects the air that all people breathe. Every person needs to conscientiously think about how they respect the Earth. Do we dump our garbage out of the car? Do we poison the water? Do we poison the air? Am I taking on the responsibility of being a caretaker of the Earth?

    Great Spirit, today, I will be aware of the Earth. I will be responsible

    May 7, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We must remember that the heart of our religion is alive and that each person has the ability within to awaken and walk in a sacred manner."
    -- -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    The Native Spirituality is full of life. When we seek it we become alive. Even if we have gone astray and have conducted ourselves in a bad way, we can look within and have a new awakening to life. Maybe we have drunk too much alcohol; maybe we have cheated on our spouse; maybe we have done things that make us feel guilty and ashamed. If we look outside ourselves, we will not find life; if we look inside, we will find life. Anytime we choose to change our lives, we only need to look inside. How do we do this? Take some sage and light it, close your eyes and say to the Great Sirit, I'm tired, I need your help. Please help me change.

    Great Spirit, I know you exist inside of myself. Let me awaken to your teachings

    May 7, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "There are many things to be shared with the four colors of man in our common destiny as one family upon our Mother the Earth."
    -- -- Traditional Circle of Elders, NORTHERN CHEYENNE
    The Elders tell us the time will come when the four colors of Man will unite into one family. According to prophecies, we were told this would happen when the Sun was blocked in the Seventh Moon. There was an eclipse of the Sun in July, 1991. We are now in a new Springtime called the Coming Together Time. Each of the four colors of man has knowledge that the other colors need to heal their families. Let us all be willing to sit in a circle and respect our differences.

    Creator, let me be willing to have an open mind

    May 7, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 4
    The whole religion is like a preparation. It's a preparation for going to the Good Land or to the place of your ancestors. We all have to go through it. We all know this.
    -- -- Horace Axtell, NEZ PERCE
    There are two Worlds that exist. The Seen World and the Unseen World. Sometimes these worlds are called the Physical World and the Spiritual World. The Elders say, when it is time to go to the other side, our relatives will appear a few days before to help us enter the Spirit World. This is a happy place; the hunting is good; the place of the Grandfathers, the Creator, the Great Spirit, God, is a joyful place.

    Grandfathers, today, let me look forward to the Spirit World. Bless all my Relations

    May 7, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Anyways, with medicine there's a time and a place for everything. It only comes around once. You have to get it at the right time."
    -- -- Cecilia Mitchell, MOHAWK
    The old ones say two things must be present for a miracle to take place. One, the right time. Two, the right place. This is why we need to honor our ceremonies. eremonies are done in an order. This order is applied to open a "door" to the right time and place of the medicine. This door opens to the Spiritual World. The Spiritual World is available to us at the right time and the right place.

    My Creator, let me be patient today so the timing is right

    May 8, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Without a sacred center, no one knows right from wrong."
    -- -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    In the center of the circle is where the powers reside. These powers are called love, principle, justice, spirtual knowledge, life, forgiveness and truth. All these powers reside in the very center of the human being. We access these powers by being still, quieting the mind. If we get confused, emotionally upset, feel resentment, anger, or fear, the best thing we can do is pray to the Great Spirit and ask Him to remove the anger and resentment. By asking Him to remove these obstacles, we are automatically positioned in the sacred center. Only in this way do we know right from wrong.

    Great Spirit, allow me this day to live in the sacred center

    May 9, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "When you go inside that power, there's no fear. It's so beautiful!! There's no fear there. There's no pain."
    -- -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    Imagine you are standing on the edge of a stage. In the center of the stage is a spotlight shining from above. If you stand anyplace outside the spotlight, in the darkness, you will experience fear. But as soon as you step into the light in the center of the stage, all fear and pain go away. When we stand in the power, fear cannot exist. How do we find this place of power? We pray our way into it. We ask the Creator to take our hand and help us. When we get to that place, we will feel the fear go away.

    Great Spirit, hold my hand and guide me today

    May 13, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "[The Old People] would gather words as they walked a sacred path across the Earth, leaving nothinig behind but prayers and offerings."
    -- -- Cleone Thunder, NORTHERN ARAPAHOE
    Whenever we walk on the Earth, we should pay attention to what is going on. Too often our minds are somewhere else, thinking about the past or thinking about the future. When we do this, we are missing important lessons. The Earth is a constant flow of lessons and learnings which also include a constant flow of positive feelings. If we are aware as we walk, we will gather words for our lives, the lessons to help our children; we will gather feelings of interconnectedness and calmness. When we experience this, we should say or think thoughts of gratitude. When we do this, the next person to walk on the sacred path will benefit even more.

    My Creator, today, let me be aware of the sacred path

    May 13, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the sacred gift of life."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders. ONONDAGA
    At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today.

    Grandfather, show me how to see in a sacred way

    May 15, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Prayer is the best answer to all of the trials that face us, because without prayer, even if we succeed in accomplishing some great goal in the eyes of men, we have failed in our sacred responsibilities, and thus we have failed in what is truly important."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    What are our sacred responsibilities? One is to be of maximum service to the Creator, and two is to serve the people. In a way, it's like the Great Spirit is the employer and we are the employees. We live each day, do what we do, accomplish our goals, face our difficulties, overcome them all to the Glory of the Creator. We do these things to make Him proud! Even if we work for a company, agency or tribe, they are not really our employer; the Creator is our employer. Working for the Creator is better than working for a human being, because each night we can talk to the Creator and ask Him, "Well, how did I do today?". He answers back each night, "I'm proud of you, my child; sleep well, and in the morning I'll give you a new set of growing experiences.".

    Great Spirit, today, let me work for you. You will be my new boss

    May 15, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "But the great spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."
    -- -- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
    What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge, and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.

    Great Spirit, help me to become wise

    May 15, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "But the great spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."
    -- -- Walking Buffalo, STONEY
    What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge, and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.

    Great Spirit, help me to become wise

    May 15, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "...the sacred ceremonies given to us by the Creator are the Heart of our existence. These ceremonies are our first duty."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders. NORTHERN CHEYENNE
    Hidden in the ceremonies are many truths, many principles, many guidelines for living — our access to the Unseen World, healing and visions. Because the Indian People didn't have schools or books, the Great Spirit gave us Ceremonies. The ceremonies are handed down from generation to generation to learn their meaning. Today, many Indian People live in cities or urban areas where it's hard to learn the ceremonies. We need to go to the Elders and learn the ceremonies so we can pass them on to our children.

    Great Spirit, teach me the Secrets of the Ceremonies

    May 20, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "To be able to greet the sun with the sounds from all of Nature is a great blessing, and it helps us to remember Who is the real provider of all of our benefits."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    The Elders say we should pray to the East every morning. Just try it! Get up early in the morning, watch the sun and listen to the morning sounds, the birds, the winds; smell the air, feel the breeze and the warmth of the sun. Your mind will expand and you will experience oneness with the Great Spirit. You'll realize who is really in charge. You'll realize interconnectedness. You'll realize how much the Creator loves you! Just try it!

    Great Spirit, today, let me feel the Earth, the Father Sun and your presence

    May 20, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "...Grandmother the Earth. That power is here all the time. It is continuous, and nobody controls it."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    There are certain powers that the human being has no choice but to obey. We cannot negotiate or barter with this power. Our choice is either to conform or to live out of harmony. Whatever our choice, it will be the end result in our lives that we notice. So it is with the powers of the Earth which produce life. The Earth has the life force power. If anyone plants a seed, the seed will grow. The Earth treats everyone equally. The human cannot interfere, only obey. We should all show great respect for the Earth and Her powers.

    Great Spirit, today, let me honor and respect the power of the Grandmother, the Earth

    May 20, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "If the Great Spirit wanted men to stay in one place He would make the world stand still; but He made it to always change..."
    -- Chief Flying Hawk, OGLALA SIOUX
    The Elders tell us change occurs in two directions. They say, "That which is built is constantly being destroyed; that which is loose is being used to build the new." In other words, change is constantly going on. Many times we hear people say, "I hate change." Does it make sense that the Great Spirit would design people to hate it? The Great Spirit designed people with change abilities such as visioning, imagery and imagination. Maybe we need to learn to use these tools and then we'll look forward to change.

    Great Spirit, today, let me see the harmony of Yours, truly changing world

    May 20, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "It's time. If you are to walk the path of heart, then it is time..."
    -- Nippawanock, ARAPAHOE
    If not now, when? If not me, who? To walk the path of the heart is a great honor. Every human has the choice to walk this path, but very few will decide to make it. Why? Well, because you can't act and behave like everyone else behaves. You must be the person who will learn to look within. You must be the person who will be fully accountable for yourself. You must be the person who prays and meditates. You must be the person who will sacrifice. You must decide to be a Peaceful Warrior. What will you decide today?

    Oh, Great Mystery, lead me on the path of the heart

    May 20, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The earth was created by the assistance of the sun, and it should be left as it was... The country was made without lines of demarcation, and it is no man's business to divide it..."
    -- Chief Joseph, NEZ PERCE
    There is danger when we start to draw lines and boundaries. This is true whether outside ourselves or inside ourselves. The danger is losing sight of the interconnectedness. When we lose sight of interconnectedness, separation, possessiveness (this is mine, I can do what I want) and infighting results. Even at an individual level, if we don't believe we are connected to all things we get self-centered and have self-seeking motives. We must think in harmony, balance and integrity. We must see our relationship to the great whole and conduct ourselves accordingly.

    Great Spirit, today, let me think beyond boundaries

    May 23, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "A vision could put you on a path you don't want to follow."
    -- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    There is a saying, "You move toward and become like that which you think about." If we keep thinking about a bad thing, we will move in that direction. If we think about fear in some area of our life, we will probably experience this fear. We move toward and become like that which we think about. If we think about secret things, these secret things will come to pass. Our visions are very powerful. Visions determine our direction, our lives. If you think about lustful things, it's a matter of time before you'll be wrestling with it. We should think about our visions to make sure they include the Great Spirit in every area.

    Great Spirit, today, give me Your vision to follow

    May 23, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "If you listen close at night, you will hear the creatures of the dark, all of them sacred - the owls, the crickets, the frogs, the night birds - and you will hear beautiful songs, songs you have never heard before. Listen with your heart. Never stop listening."
    -- Henery Quick Bear, LAKOTA
    The night time is full of life, full of song, and full of beauty. Have you ever gone outside at night and listened? One has access to serenity and peace. At night all our senses change their roles. Because we can't see, our hearing is much stronger, our smell is even more enhanced, our sight is different. We are able to join nature through sounds and smells, through the songs of the night birds, and through the night winds. We can close our eyes and experience interconnectedness in a different way. Try it tonight and experience oneness with the Creator.

    Great Spirit, allow me to listen to the teachers of the night

    May 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "...in Tunkashila, there is no time. Everything moves in the blink of an eye. It's as fast as thought. So there is no speed there. There is no time in between."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    There is a relationship between thought and reality. Every thought is alive, and as soon as you think it, a result occurs immediately. However, to make something happen it may take a series of one thousand thoughts before you can actually see it with your eyes. This occurs because the Laws of the Great Spirit act immediately. When you tell a lie, you immediately experience fear. When you tell the truth, you immediately experience freedom. To the Creator, there is no time. For us to experience the meaning of this requires us to act on faith. Faith is belief without evidence.

    Great Spirit, today, let me act on my faith

    May 25, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Humility is probably the most difficult virtue to realize."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    Two definitions of humility are; one, being aware of one's own defects of character, and two, giving credit where credit is due. This means if you do something and are successful because God gave you certain talents, give credit to God when someone tells you how well you did; this is being humble. If you are successful at something, but had help from friends, spouse, neighbors, give credit to those who helped you; this is being humble. If you have done a task and you alone accomplished it, give credit to yourself; this is being humble. Say the truth and give credit where credit is due.

    Grandfather, let me walk a truthful road today.

    May 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The land is a sacred trust held in common for the benefit of the future of our nations."
    -- Haida Gwaii - Traditional Circle of Elders
    The Creator made the Earth to support life so that life would continue to reproduce, everything would support one another, and future generations would have the same benefits of supply and beauty as the generations the proceeded them. This cycle will only continue to the degree that we make choices and decisions for the future generations. Today, we are too greedy and selfish. We are cheating our children, grandchildren, and the children unborn.

    Creator, let me see the consequences of my decisions, and show me how to make healthy corrections

    May 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "One of the things the old people taught me about the spirits was to never have a doubt."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    The spirit world is sometimes hard to believe in because we can't see it. Our minds convince us to seek proof for everything. We need to believe that the Unseen World exists and the Unseen World is guided by principles, laws, and values. If we have doubts, we can pray to the Great Spirit to remove the doubt. He understands how difficult it can be sometimes, so He's always ready to help us during our doubtful times. We are lucky to have such an understanding and helpful Father.

    Great Spirit, today, divorce me from doubt

    May 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The man who sat on the ground in his tipi meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures, and acknowledging unity with the universe of things, was infusing into his being the true essence of civilization."
    -- Luther Standing Bear, OGLALA SIOUX
    There is a concept that says you move toward and become that which you think about. If we think about everything as interconnected and interrelated, we will begin to accept the greater whole and that there is a power who is in charge. If we see the cycles of life, if we see the inner powers, if we see the interdependence of the universe, then we will participate in a harmonious way. We all need to pray and meditate on this. We need to understand the property of unity.

    My Creator, let me have the insights of nature and give me the power of acceptance

    May 29, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Power comes and goes. It can vanish in the twinkling of an eye, like smoke dissolving in the air."
    -- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    The East, South, West, and North are the powers of the four directions. The Creator makes these powers available to do things. We pray to the Creator to give us the power to do these things. Often, we are given these powers for awhile, then these powers disappear. Power is given and taken from us by the Great Spirit, the source of power. During the time we have this power, we should be responsible and use the power in a good way. Many good things can be accomplished when we realize where this power really comes from.

    Great Spirit, today, show me how to use Your power

    May 30, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Each day, whatever I am doing, I am always praying and thinking of God."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    Have you ever tried going through your day and carrying on a conversation with the Creator? Many of our Elders live in prayer. They talk to the Creator like the Creator is their best friend. It is easiest to do this if we pray in the morning and ask the Great Spirit to direct our thinking. When the Creator is involved in guiding our lives, we will have less stress, anxiety, and tension. Maybe this is something we would like to try today. "Oh, Creator, look at the Sun, how beautiful you have made it. Oh, look at this child, isn't she just beautiful! Well, Creator, I'm not sure how I should do this task, what do you think? This person is starting to irritate me; I need your help to redirect my thinking. Thanks for returning me to a peaceful mind." Remember, the Creator also has a sense of humor.

    Grandfather, Grandmother, let me walk in prayer

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    Every part of this country is sacred to my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove has been hallowed by some fond memory or some sad experience of my tribe. Even the rocks, which seem to lie dumb as they swelter in the sun along the silent shore in solemn grandeur, thrill with memories of past events connected with the fate of my people.
    -- -Chief Seattle, SUQUAMISH
    Native people say the Earth is sacred. Some places on Earth will feel more sacred than others. You can often feel the sacredness of these places because of what has happened on them. If you do a ceremony on a certain place and return later, whatever happened before will still be there to help you. Even if someone you didn't know did something on the Earth and you come along later, the powers will be there to help you. This is why the Earth is sacred and these special places are sacred spots.

    My Creator, let the powers of the sacred places help the people today

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "So we are connected to the moon. That gives us power, a connection to the Earth and the moon, men don't know about."
    -- Cecilia Mitchell, MOHAWK
    The Elders tell us that the Woman has access to special powers. The Earth Mother gives her love in a special way to the Woman. The Moon also gives special powers to the Woman. She uses these powers to nurture, heal, and guide the people.

    Great Spirit, today, give a special Blessing to our Women

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "If there is a shadow of a doubt someplace, that will cause a weakness."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    In the Spiritual World there is a spiritual Law. The Law says; like attracts like. This means whatever mental picture we hold inside our minds we will attract from the Universe. To make this Law work we must maintain a constant picture. If we picture or vision something, and along with this picture we have doubting thoughts, our vision will not happen and we will get EXACTLY what we picture or vision. The Law always works. A doubting vision will not materialize what we want. A vision without doubt will always happen. This is a spiritual Law.

    My Maker, today, let my vision become strong

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "We need to save those Elders who cannot speak for themselves -- the trees."
    -- Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders
    The trees are the Elders of the Earth. Go to the forest or to the mountains and find a young tree. Then find an old tree. Spend time with each. Sit by the young tree and listen to your thoughts. Then move to an old tree and listen to your thoughts again. Just being in the presence of an old tree, you will feel more calm. Your thoughts will contain wisdom and your answers will be deeper. Why is this so? These old trees know more, have heard more, and are the Elders of the Earth. We must ensure these trees live so we can learn from them.

    My Creator, help me to protect the trees and listen to them

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "It is not through the great skill of the hunter himself that success is achieved, but through the hunter's awareness of his place in Creation and his relationship to all things."
    -- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
    If only the human being could understand the power of proper relationships, the need for power and control could be abandoned. It's not what is going on that matters, but how we look at what is going on. It's our relationship to it that counts. Nothing in the world has any meaning except the meaning we give to it. To be more effective at this, we need to consider our relationship with the Creator. Our relationship to the Great Spirit determines how we will perceive the meanings we put to places, people, institutions, and things. We need to let the Creator tell us and guide our thoughts about these relationships. Any relationship that we have that is causing problems means we need to pray for a new point of view.

    Creator, let me see the world and the people through your eyes

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "Wakan Tanka never stops creating."
    -- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
    The Medicine Wheel teaches about change. It says that which is created will fall apart; that which is loose, will be used to create new. In other words, everything on Earth is participating in a constant change that is being directed by an order of laws and principles which were originated by the Great Spirit. We humans are equipped with natural change abilities. We have the ability to vision; we can use imagination and imagery; we can change belief, attitude, habits, and expectations. We need to know ourselves and we need to know how we work inside to enable us to change naturally.

    Great Spirit, teach me to change in harmony

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "IN THE BEGINNING were the Instructions... The Instruction was to live in a good way and be respectful to everybody and everything."
    -- Vickie Downey, TEWA/Tesuque Pueblo
    A long time ago, in the beginning, the Creator gave to all people and to all things the Wisdom and the knowledge of how to live in harmony. Some tribes call these teachings the original Instructions, the original teachings, or the Great Laws. All of Nature still lives and survives according to these teachings. In modern times, human beings are searching for the Instructions. Many churches claim they have these Instructions. Where are these teachings? The Instructions are written in our hearts.

    Great Spirit, today, whisper to me the secrets of the original Instructions

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "The Natural Law is the final and absolute authority governing E Te No Ha, the earth we call our Mother."
    -- Traditional Circle of Elders
    There is no power greater than the Natural Laws. These powers were set up by the Great Spirit in such a way that the human being has no access to it, except by obeying. If we choose not to follow the Natural Laws, our live will be filled with confusion, tension, anxiety and stress. If we poison the Earth, we poison ourselves. If we poison the Water of the Earth, we poison ourselves. As we do to the Earth, we do to ourselves and our children, even the children unborn. May we think about this today and ask ourselves, "Are we holding and acting toward the Mother Earth in a good way?"

    Great Spirit, teach me the Natural Laws that govern the Earth

    Jun 10, 2013

  • Dept of PMM Artists & things

    "You have to have a lot of patience to hear those old people talk, because when they talk, they talk about motivation, the feeling, the unsound that is around the universe. They explain everything to one understanding. They bring it all together, and when they finish, just one word comes out. Just one word. They might talk all day, and just one word comes out."
    -- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA
    We need to be careful about judging the old ones when we talk. At first they may not make sense to us. Maybe we'll say they're old fashioned and don't understand. But the old ones do understand! When they speak, listen very carefully. Often it will take weeks or maybe even years before we understand what they are really saying. This is the way of Wisdom. We need to listen, listen, listen.

    Great Spirit, today, open my ears so I can hear the Elders

    Jun 10, 2013