This page will be dedicated to the passing of wisdom old and new, on to all people. We being a "Multi-Nation" not just Cherokee alone, will try to provide on this site a variety of knowledge, and answer as many questions about our people as possible, on how to and why.

Send in your questions to our main office address: RedNation of the Cherokee 1509 Washington Lane Augusta Kansas 67010-1638 or email us at: www.rednationorg@yahoo.com

We all come here in Peace - As with the symbol of the Sacred White Buffalo, we can gather together as one people again, whole and complete. Learning and sharing what the Great Mystery has taught each of us... "Each soul carry's a piece of the "Universal Puzzle" when joined one with another, forms a larger picture of the whole, and wisdom and knowledge illuminates all!"

ShaunaSay WhiteFeather Tate

Reminder: Please go to the "Newsletter Tab" of this web site, to click on the (links banners) for more educational articles also. They are written under "Voices of the Red Winds" columns for snowowl.com and Bellaonline.com

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WORSHIP, RESPECT, SACRED CIRCLE, DIRECTIONS AND COLORS:

The first of our lessons is so very appropriate, a young man had wrote in asking about prayers. He had seen at pow wows and other places, elders doing a small ritual of prayer giving honor to the Creator. There are many prayers and ways of doing ceremony, I will share what was taught to me by my elders growing up.

As in all things that are truly spiritual and meaningful, they are done straight from a good heart. There is where the Truth and the Spirit dwells of the one who made us all. Whatever name you give the Creator of all, in whatever language or tongue, God is the one and only one in whom we worship! all others we give respect not worship...Big difference.

Turn your face always towards the Eastern sky to begin the Sacred Circle of Prayer, this is where we face the sun everyday with new beginning! As we face the Creator in Worship, and start a new day and chapter in our individual lives, in thanksgiving for another day of life granted to us by our maker. This is where we also give Respect, and ask the sacred guardian spirit (Arch Angel) of the East to help protect us from all evil or harm from that direction. From this Guardian we receive Strength and Wisdom.

As one once said that I personally have remembered throughout my entire life..."Gods' gift to us is the breath of life, our gift to God is what we make of that life".

The color "Yellow" represents the East in the (older ways) of the Tsalagi (Cherokee) four directional colors.

Next, Turn (counter-clockwise) to the direction of the North, the color "White" is for this direction. It means we face all things in life with Purity of Heart, Honor and Respect for all things. We once again, offer our respect to the sacred guardian spirit (Arch Angel) of this direction, and ask for protection from all evil that might come from that direction. This is also the direction in which the we receive Peace and Understanding.

Turn now to the West, This guardian (Arch Angel) protects us from all evil that may come from that direction, it is also where the "Thunder-Beings" dwell. They are the "Protectors of the Souls" while we live here on Earth, and when it is our time to cross back over to the lands of the Creator who made us all. The color Black represents this direction, it is not a color of evil in any way, it is a color of the future, a unknown path in which we have not traveled down yet, or cannot see clearly yet.

Turn now to the South, This guardian (Arch Angel) is protector of this direction from all evil, by our giving honor and respect, gifts us with remembrance of the past, present and future through the continuance of the circle of life itself, and the four stages of life. The color of Red represents this direction.

To complete the Sacred Circle of Prayer, like the circle of life itself, whole and complete end without end. We direct our prayers back to the East once more. Now, giving Honor, Respect and Thanksgiving for Earth Mother from where we all were formed from by the hands of the Creator, and breathed the breath of life into!

We should never forget to thank our Earth Mother, for "Absorbing" our pains and woes and poisons we carry on a daily basis, that we just dump upon her with such selfishness! She takes all into herself with (absolute unconditional love) so that we carry them no longer.

Have you ever just sat down on Mother Earth, and placed your palms down on her? sitting very quietly and listen and feel (Nothing disturbing around you) You can actually feel a pulse/heartbeat at times! Earth Mother is and has always been very much alive!

Last, but certainly not least, remember at this point to give honor and respect to all your other relations...The winged ones, the four-legged ones, the ones that swim, and the ones that crawl.

Now in closing, seal the circle completely by lifting your face totally back to the Creator, and thank Him once again for His Great Love and Understanding, that you are willing to do the very best that day, and every day He gives you here.

Our Father whom did created us and the entire universe, STILL being a father to His children, wants us to face Him face to face. Not showing disrespect or dishonor, but out of Love of a parent and child. So it is not disrespectful to lift our faces up to our father, and reaching out with our arms and hearts as a child does. And children we will always be, in His eyes or any of our Earthly parents eyes as long as we exist!

Note: This all sounds long and drawn out, but; it really is a very short and very powerful way to Worship in prayer to the Creator, and give Honor and Respect to all others. The guardian spirits (Arch Angels') are just that. The Native people knew them as the "guardians spirits" because we had never heard of "Arch Angels'" until English and the Bible was introduced to the people. Then it was realized, that they were the same. The Creator (God) assigned four "Arch Angels" to each corner of the Earth.

Also, this "Prayer Ceremony" is used on a daily basis in most of our lives. By some, we use a "Smudge Pot" that consists of a turtle shell or abalone shell, with a little bit of sage, cedar and sweet grass and tobacco, that is burnt so as to send the Sacred Smoke up with our Prayers. This same "Prayer Ceremony" can also be done with a Sacred Pipe.

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SMUDGE: Is a blending of physical and spiritual together, to create a “bonded prayer” that is sent to the Creator of all from our spirits to His spirit.
The smoke from the blended herbs and ingredients and prayers are fanned with their hands towards them, to help to be breathed in by an individual and to fan the smoke all around them to help Physically and Spiritually put the person(s) into a “focused prayerful frame of mind” Removing any and all evil or negativity from around them and inside them.

SAGE: The leaves of this herb is burned to create a smoke, that symbolically rises to the heavens with our prayers to the Creator of All.
Medically, this herb is used to heal the inward body as well as the outward. Spiritually, it helps the soul to heal from evil toxins that we have a great tendency to collect in our everyday lives, from ourselves first, then people and situations around us.

CEDAR: Physically, this wood is well known to deter all “Wood Eating” bugs and insects from harming it. Spiritually, Represents Life and Strength and Protection from harm or evil.

TOBACCO: Medically this plant (just to name a very few) has been used for a great many salves, poultices and cure for internal worms of both human and animals, smoking it for pleasure, the list goes on and on...
Spiritually, this plant represents “Truth” or "Speaker of Truth" to us as Natives. Whether smoked, or burned as part of the smudge for purification, or given in wrapped cloth to someone in Respect and Honor. It speaks only truth.
Natives believe, if one smokes the blessed smoking pipe called in the Tsalagi (Cherokee Language) “ga nv no wa” pronounced phonically in English: (gah-nuh-no-wah) with the sacred Tobacco, one can only speak truth among one another.

SWEET GRASS: Is a wild prairie field grass that is gathered and braided together while it is still green and fresh. Then is hung up to dry to a brown color, then it can be lit and burned to create a
“Sweet Smelling Smoke”. It is used Spiritually, to give respect and honor to all our Good Ancestors who have walked on this Earth before us. This helps in teaching us what we need to know in life, through our visions and dreams. When we burn this Sweet Grass, the smoke is to “Spiritually” call them around us to participate in what ever sacred ceremony we are conducting at the time.

It is stressed very highly, that when praying for the Ancestors to come and be around you and others, you ALWAYS BE SPECIFIC in requesting the “GOOD ANCESTORS AND GOOD ANCESTORS ONLY)”!
By doing this simple thing, you or anyone else will not invite “just any” Ancestor to come visiting.
Prayer is a good and very powerful tool when used in the right way, but it can be twisted into something else if we do not follow certain protocol.

Now, with all the ingredients that have been listed, you have what most Natives use to start a ceremony. Usually, it is the Holy Person (Male or Female) also called by other names: Medicine People, Spirit People, Elder, or by the (Central American Term) Shaman.
Note: Older Traditionalists, do not use the word Shaman.
The Holy Person, Medicine Person, Spirit Person, or Elder, conducts the smudging of each person involved in the ceremony, by taking a container (either a turtle shell or abalone sea shell) that has the blended ingredients of sage, cedar, tobacco and sweet grass. They light the mixture so that it starts to burn, then lightly blow the flame out so it will just smoke. They usually have a fan that is of a left wing (Heart-Side) of a Eagle, Hawk or Pheasant or whatever winged one they use for a “Prayer Fan,” to “Fan” the smoke toward an individual to purify them (inside and out).

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HOW TO PROPERLY APPROCH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER:

In this fast-paced modern day world, most people have a bad tendancy to forget what is called "Manners." In the Native World of Elders & People, it is always very wise to remember you just DO NOT walk up especially on two people in conversation and just butt right in!

Usually Elders or others, that are talking in private, they are usually teaching in some compasity or maybe sharing a personal "Spiritual Experience" that if interrupted could have been a great help to that other person. Always remember how you would feel if someone just butted in on something of importance to your learning and sharing. It is a two-way street either way!

The Proper and Respectful Way is to stand back out of earshot, (To Give Them Privacy) and wait till you are invited to come closer. An Native Elder or Native Person will usually give you a nod of his/her head or look at you, to acknowledge that they do see you are there waitng to speak to them.

Then when it is alright to come to join in, or that they are finished with their personal conversation, they will then invite you to come closer.

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HOW TO GIVE A GIFT TO SHOW HONOR AND RESPECT:

This gift can be what you wish to give to someone older or younger. Usually and most often is a gift of tobacco wrapped in either red or white cloth, tied with leather or sinew cord. The color (red), represents the blood of the people, past, present and future. The color (white) represents the purity of ones' heart and spirit.

In previous lessons, you were taught that tobacco represented "Truth" or "Speaker of Truth". Given as a gift to someone in this matter, shows Utmost Respect and Honor to that individual person.

This being a "personal acknowledgement" should always be done in as close (as possible) in a "private inviroment." even though you may be at a pow wow or other event with crowds of people around, this can be done without making it a public spectal. Natives are usually a "private people."

Keeping this in mind, You approch this person with the proper respect and honor as also taught how in another previous lesson.

Once you do this, and you are face-to-face with this individual, you present this gift within in your (Left) hand (palm down), reaching out with your Left Hand to their Left Hand and in doing this you place the gift of tobacco in their hand. Usually the person will take the gift and you or both of you may say a few words to each other, or just a simple nod the head in reconition of what took place between you two in this gesture.

NOTE: This is also how you would approch an Elder to ask something of them.

As being given a name or some special knowledge from that Elder.

(NEXT LESSON IS ON NAME GIVEING)...

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HOW A PERSON USUALLY RECEIVES A NATIVE NAME:

In the "Older Days and Ways" of the Original Native People, where we grew up being among the people, it like all things was done in the proper order of things and cycles of life.

There being an order to life in Infantcy, Youth, and Adulthood, Elderhood . We followed the same order in Nature in all our ways of doing things.

Most Nations and Tribes ran a common-thread of how these things were done...

One order was the name giveing, this was usually in four stages. At Birth, a name was given to the child by the parents. Contrary to propular beleif with "Hollywood Versions" the parents did not name their child by the first thing they seen when the child was born!

This name was one the child was called untill they reached the age of becoming a woman-child, or man child around the time of puberty. Then a ceremony is conducted by the Elders and people, and the "Youth" is given a new name by the Grandmother or Grandfather depending on if the Nation/Tribe is Matriarchial or Patriarchal.

Now in these "Modern-Days," our families are disconnected and apart from each other or has passed away. So, it is up to other Elders maybe not of your immediate family to bestow these names. It is usually not proper to just name yourself, whatever name sounds good or after some animal name you just happen to pefer. And do not feel slighted if an Elder does not name you after the Eagle or Wolf. These do not make you Native, once again, it is what is in your heart and how you conduct yourself in your life.

An Elder even in these days and times, knows that if they accept the task of naming someone, it comes through much prayer and spiritual fasting for that individual to give a name that is right for that person in every aspect of their lives.

In older days, the name given stayed with you for life unless otherwise changed by the Elders. This could be through an Intertribal Marriage or Clan change. In rare occasions, reconition and honor of some special deed done for the survival of your entire people and tribe. Or unfortunately, a person could be given a new name of disgraced by the Elders and people for something unspeakable that person did against the people as a whole. Fortunately, that name could be only temporary until that person corrected the wrong.

There is one other name you can be given in life, and it is given by the Creator/Great Spirit Himself.

This one is a very sacred name that is only used in "Silent Prayer" between you and your maker. It is given usually to you during a fasting and sacred sweat-lodge cermony done in the "older ways" of doing. Not all receive a name when they seek it, but when it is given, you never speak this name to no one as long as you live on this Earth, it is that Sacred!

It is the name that the Creator/Great Spirit calls you by.

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NATIVE COMING OF AGE CEREMONY
OR) RITES OF PASSAGE CEREMONY

This article will be dedicated to “The Seeds Of Our Very Existence” to all children and grandchildren everywhere.

There have been several requests asking for information, of how the Native Americans give honor to their youth that pass from childhood into young adults. What rites of passage do we give for them, and what are the family members responsibilities to them?

The coming of age ceremony is also called the right of passage ceremony. If compared to other cultures, we would have many similar beliefs and ways of conducting these. There is “Four Cycles” of Life in every Human Being... Infant, Youth, Adult and Elder.

When a young boy or girl becomes of age, around 12-13 years of age, a very special ceremony within the Nation or tribe is conducted.
First and foremost, the young girl is taken aside with the elder women, and the young boy with the elder men.
The young girl is advised of what her “passage” from childhood into adulthood will consist of and undertake in her life.
She will be instructed by her Mother, Grandparents, Aunts, and all of her Elder women relations of the Nation and Tribe. Along with, if at all possible, the Head Nation or Tribes’ Medicine Woman/Holy Woman.

Some of these subjects taught, consist of the (young woman now) “Moon-Cycles” or said in the English term “Periods.” She will be instructed on how she needs to keep up her personal hygiene, how to prepare certain “Herbal Medicines” to ease her pains during her monthly times. Also what she needs to combat the “Emotional and Chemical” imbalance that can happen during this time. They were taught what to look for incase of irregularity or possible signs that could mean there was a medical problem the young girl would defiantly need to tell her Mother about or the Medicine Woman/Holy Woman of her Nation or Tribe.

It is an older tradition, not used in modern times as we know today, the reason most young and older women kept to themselves during this time, wasn't’t because they were considered unclean, it was just the opposite, they were consider to be in a “Holy Time” of renewal of the spiritual and physical time of a woman (Re-Birth) so-to-speak. Women being in tune with the “Cycle” of the Earth, but most of all because they are the “Life-Givers”.
Note: This time “being apart from” other people and the everyday hectic cycles gave the woman a “personal time” to reflect and to balance herself again physically and spiritually between herself and the Creator, and all around her on a day to day basis. If the older married women had children, the Grandmothers or Aunts would take care of the infants or younger children, when this time was in effect.

The next step was to instruct the young woman, of her responsibilities as a young “adult” woman, and what is expected of her. No longer from that point on, was she to be looked on as a child.“Elder” women would then pledge their responsibilities to her as her Elders, to teach her the “Ways of Women”. The Holy Woman/Head Medicine Woman, would instruct the young Adult woman in teachings and give “Spiritual” advice along the way from that day on, so she would stay on the “Red-Road” all her life for her sake, her family and children and people.

The young “Adult” woman, would then be told that during the ceremony , she would be purified by her first “Sweat Lodge Ceremony” and afterwards be “presented to all the Nation/Tribe of people”
and be given her new “Adult Name” to be known and called by her people from that day on.
This name is usually given by the Grandmother or Head Matriarch at that time. If not, the Medicine/Holy Person gives it.
Lastly, the young Adult Woman is instructed of the added responsibilities that will come along with “Maturity”, and with this knowledge, the people call this the “Wisdom of the Ages”.

As the same with the young Adult man, he would be take aside by the Father, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Elder men. Also, if possible, the Main Medicine man/Holy Man of the Nation or Tribe. The young Adult is also told of his new responsibilities and what is expected of him as a young Adult male among his people and peers.
He would be instructed in the ways of being a provider and protector of his immediate family and of all his people. The Elder men would pledge to teach him of the “Ways” of his Ancestors and Fathers that walked before him.
Then, he also would be taken through his first sweat lodge ceremony, and presented to the people. Given a “New Name” by which all would know him as and call him by from that day forward.

The Holy Man/Medicine Man, would work with the young Adult man throughout his entire life, instructing and giving “Spiritual” advice as how to stay on the Red-Road for his sake, his family and his people.

Both Young Adult Woman and Young Adult Man, will be given presents at this ceremony to show Love and Support for them on their new journey in the “Second Cycle of Life”.

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Conducting A Sacred Pipe Ceremony:

Start a smudge bowl burning with Sage, Cedar, tobacco and sweet grass, before you start the ceremony of the pipe, smudge the area you will be doing your ceremony in, the circle around you going "Counter-Clock wise because you are doing medicine in a good way.

Lift the pipe bowl up to the Creator, say a prayer asking for His Blessing that no evil ever be taken in or through the sacred clay of the bowl which was made from our Living Earth Mother. This is the female. Hold the part of the bowl that fits onto the stem, over the smoke of the smudge and allow the smoke to filter through it and come out on its own, this is the Creator blessing it if it does!

Lift the Stem up to the Creator, say a prayer asking for His Blessing that no evil ever be taken through the stem which represents all Life being as one.

Next, join the two together. This is the male.

Take the sage leaves out of the bowl, save to put back in after you are through using the pipe. Do the same thing you did with the bowl, hold the end that joins into the bowl over the smudge, and allow the smoke to go through it and out. Again, this is the Creator's breath blessing the stem when the smoke come out of it!

Load the pipe with the traditional (4) pinches of tobacco to give honor to the four directions. If tobacco is mixed all together in one pouch (like most do), then take only (1) pinch and offer it in honor and respect to the four directions, then fill the pipe. Note: (1) pinch is equal to what an individual can hold between their forefinger and thumb.

After lighting the pipe and getting it going, face East towards where the sun comes up and the East is the Creator's Direction whom we face day by day in Truth. Take a puff, turn the stem up to the Creator and blow the puff towards the sky. This is Thanking the Creator for His Blessing, and Also represents the first of the "Four Directional Spirits" whom we give Respect, NOT worship to for protecting from evil.

Then turn "Counter-Clockwise" towards the North, Do the same and take a puff of smoke from the pipe, turn the stem around towards the sky and blow the smoke in that direction, thanking the Northern Directional (Good Spirit and Good Spirit Only) For the Protection against evil.

Then turn toward Clock-wise towards the next West and do the same as before, and South and do the same, and back to the beginning face East.

Now, this is how you end the ceremony..

AS you blow the puff of smoke towards the sky, and turn the pipe bowl back towards you, you will now (BLOW GENTLY) air back into the pipe itself,

This is where we all remember,,,,,"Never just take and take, but ALWAYS GIVE SOMETHING BACK!"

(Especially from the Good Spirits and Earth Mother).

Respect for Respect.

Note: In the Christen belief compared to the same similar ways of our people....The Good "Directional Spirits) of the Four Directions that protect us all from evil, are the "Four Arch Angels" appointed by God the Creator of All to guard the four corners of Earth.

4. After the pipe ceremony, clean the bowl, put your sage back into the bowl. Save the burnt tobacco to mix with the next (New) tobacco for your prayers in a pouch you will be adding to, the used as the first pinch of tobacco, then the new for the other three pinches of tobacco to pack your pipe with.

Then separate the bowl and stem. (This "used" tobacco can also be used in blessing and healing ceremonies for other times) Wrap them separately as before, but this time White around them and also Red wrapped around the White. This is to represent the Heart, the Creator and purest of the purest is the Center of ALL things, and the Red is the Blood that connects us All.

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RESPECT AND CARE FOR SACRED FEATHERS:

First of all, an individual person must be taught what the meaning of "Respect" is and how it is applied to several aspects of "Life" in general.

When a "Sacred Feather" is given to someone, it is given out of love and respect of a certain individual, acknowledging and giving honor for some special deed done or for certain ceremonial purposes.

Usually, the "Sacred Feather" or Feather's are wrapped in a cloth, which includes the following ingredients: Sage, Cedar, Sweet Grass, and most of all Tobacco.

1) Sage represents: a purification from any evil or evil intentions

2) Cedar represents: Life and Strength Eternal

3) Sweet Grass represents: The sweet incense or smoke when burned, that calls upon the Creator Himself, and the GOOD Ancestors or GOOD Spirits ONLY, to come and Bless the gift given or the Ceremony being presented.

4) Tobacco represents: The speaker of TRUTH, when such a wondrous gift is given out of honor and respect and love, it comes from the Pure Heart or Spirit.

THE COLORS OF CLOTH IT IS CAN BE WRAPPED IN ARE:

1) The color of RED represents the precious Blood of Life, past, present and future.

2) The color of WHITE represents the Purity and Innocence of ones' heart. It is all that is Good and Honest and Pure without evil.

TO STORE OR PERSERVE SACRED FEATHERS:

1) Keep the Feather or Feathers wrapped in cloth with the (4) items mentioned before. Place into a container with Cedar shavings, or place into a box MADE OF CEDAR. This serves a purpose two ways.

A) It protects the Sacred Feathers from any kind of evil influences attaching itself to them.

B) It serves as a protector against bug mites or pestilences that could destroy the Feather or Feathers.

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The story below, I share with all of you....perhaps it is a continuance of thoughts to the long series I wrote this past December and shared with many of you. May the words be a blessings to each of you, my love and good prayers for each of you this day, Bluejay

There was a visitor in the meadow this morning waiting patiently for me. At first glance, this new guest seemed inviting as they were dressed in such finery and appealed to all my senses in such perfectly crafted ways. I approached without hesitation and began to walk beside this guest without doubting in the least what may be their purpose. The eyes were lowered which I took for being shy and submissive to the beauty in Creation surrounding us there. The head was covered in a beautiful draping cloth that I assumed was humility and reverence for being in this beautiful place of prayer. I walked in peace beside this guest because they seemed so very familiar to me. This connection between us felt like two very old friends who knew each other and really did not need shared words between them to truly KNOW one another.

Beneath this blue sky, singing birds and whispering winds, we shared this time beside each other. I, being the very trusting soul that I am, did not doubt or question this companionship. Quite the contrary, I felt as if this friend could hear my thoughts and share theirs too, on all the events of late.

I began telling this guest about my concerns for the races of people across Mother Earth not dealing with each other in love and understanding, let alone with empathy.

I spoke of the horrors of war, greed and misuse of power. I pleaded for an end to the destruction of entire cultures being played out before us all in some macabre best selling movie fashion.

I cried about the absolute waste of Earth's resources and treasures that are determining the fate for the humans and creatures that depend on the stability of the Earth to provide for us all.

I whispered my deepest longing for true peace and compassion between the warring religious factions.

I turned to gaze into my companions eyes...looking for understanding of my feelings and thoughts expressed between the two of us. I wanted confirmation from another being that they too, shared these heart-felt concerns for the future. I wanted the acceptance that comes from two friends sharing their inner most concerns.

The guest slowly reached up for the lovely veiling of cloth wrapped so pleasingly about their head and brought it down with a vicious snapping, then hurled it upon the ground. In their eyes, I saw their true passion, but not the kind I had initially perceived. Not in any way, was this companion what I had thought they were upon meeting them in the pleasing place of peace I had entered. In total shock and amazement I stood before this being and wondered what their true intention was.

" I am that which speaks in the quietest moments when you approach your Creator and you feel unworthy to speak or trust that your words are heard."

" I am that which stops you from taking that opportunity to reach out and take action upon those acts made upon others that brings harm and hatred."

" I am that which haunts your dreams at night, that which leaves you with trauma from unkind words or actions placed in your daily path amongst others of human kind."

" I am that which stops ordinary humanity from becoming the greatest force for good and uniting peace within all the nations, races and religions."

" I am the beginning and end for perpetual wars between the Nations. I am that which divides the leaders from their people. I am that which speaks truths into the ears of those who trust me to be their companion, only to later reveal my deception."

" I am all of these things and all that you can ever allow me to be. Walk with me; accept me as you have so willingly done in our past associations together during your life. You know me well, as I know all of you."

" My name is FEAR."

I turned away, tears streaming down my face, the disappointment in myself growing ever deeper. Fear. Yes, I know you, my ever-present companion in life. I know you all too well. I began to walk away from my "companion" and as I turned my face to the bright sunshine, I heard the Grandmothers' words to me again in reminding me of her story she shared one day such as this one.

"See how the little sparrow will land next to the great Hawk. Sparrow will sit very near the Hawk at rest upon the same tree branch. Sparrow will learn of her ‘danger’ and this threat will become a friend to her. She will see her ‘danger’ in a new way...understanding it, learning from it and knowing her ‘danger’ as a companion in the sky of life. Remember this. To KNOW your ‘danger,’ you must sit carefully next to it long enough to know it well, so that the next time you are near the ‘danger’ you will know what your actions must be."

I thank the Grandmothers and Grandfathers for their teachings. They sustain us and if we walk with their words close to our hearts, we will walk strong.

Fear...... how cleverly disguised in beautiful cloaking.

Fear.....how comfortable it has become to us because it feels like a well-known friend.

Fear....left behind in the meadow to keep itself company this day, for there is no place for it now....in all that we face and in all that we do for each other.... it has no place with us as we have known it before. We must know it in a new way and walk forward in strength and wisdom.

Wahela Bluejay 2007

Tecumseh's Union

A Native American Nation

Rather than accept defeat, the Shawnee War Chief Tecumseh resolved to form a cohesive Indian nation-state to combat the American encroachment.

The Treaty of Greenville ended hostilities between the United States and the Indian confederacy of Little Turtle. It could not, however, quell the rising sense of indignation that had permeated throughout native societies as they watched their land absorbed by strangers. While Little Turtle realized that continued fighting would be futile and even counseled peace between settlers and indigenous peoples, he could not mollify all of his former adherents. The Shawnee orator Tecumseh, for instance, refused to sign the treaty and vowed to continue what Little Turtle had started in the name of Indian sovereignty. Tecumseh believed that there could be no peace until all western tribes organized into a coherent nation; a buffer zone to stall the Americans from further encroachment. He envisioned a new state, centralized Ohio and stretching from the Great Lakes region of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico—a union of tribes that would stand together.

Tecumseh (whose name translates to “Shooting Star”) was born in the Shawnee village of Piqua, located along Ohio’s Mad River, in 1768. Throughout his early life, Tecumseh witnessed Shawnee territory gradually absorbed by white settlers and saw his family directly affected by interaction with whites. His father was killed in Lord Dunmore’s War in 1774 and his mother relocated to Missouri to avoid the influx of white settlers. Tecumseh remained in Ohio and was raised by his elder brother, Chiksika, who trained him to be a warrior. In 1782, Tecumseh experienced his first taste of combat against the American army under George Rogers Clark. The fight did not go well for the young warrior, and in the confusion Tecumseh fled. Determined to correct his momentary lack of composure, he dedicated himself to becoming the greatest of the Shawnee warriors and soon rose to prominence as a War Chief of his nation.

As part of Little Turtle’s Indian confederacy, the Shawnee successfully repelled the Americans during the first Ohio Indian War (1790-1795). Gaining a reputation as a level headed leader, Tecumseh soon earned the respect of the warriors under his command. By the end of the war, he had become the top military leader of the Shawnee nation. When the tide turned and Little Turtle was forced to surrender, Tecumseh was one of the few chiefs to refuse to sign the Treaty of Greenville, ceding Indian lands to the Americans. Feeling betrayed by the 1,000 other leaders who had acquiesced, Tecumseh conceived a plan to prevent the further erosion of Indian territory. Little Turtle had the right idea, Tecumseh felt, but he did not carry his vision far enough. Rather than a loose military alliance, Tecumseh wanted to create an entire Indian country.

From the end of fighting in 1795, Tecumseh traveled to the villages and towns that had made up the former alliance in an effort to convince the now scattered tribes to join his union. The Ohio River would serve as the eastern border of this new state, with tribes stretching from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. All tribal forces would once again combine into a national army, divided into defensive sectors but ready to concentrate on a threat if so required. In addition, this new nation would forsake alcohol and practice indigenous religions over Christianity. This new state was also to abandon the use of guns and European agricultural practices, all vices that had been introduced by the whites. The reliance on traditional Indian social, religious, and agricultural practices was the influence of Tecumseh’s younger brother, a Shawnee spiritual leader named Tenskwatawa. Together, the two would build a new union for the scattered tribes of the west and attempt to regain what had been lost.

http://nativeamericanfirstnationshistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/tecumseh_union

CHEROKEE MOONS

AniTsalagi Svnoyihi

By David Wolfe

Virginia Cherokee Descendent

English Words Cherokee Words

Cold Moon…January Unolvtani

Bony Moon…February Kagali

Windy Moon…March Anvy

Flower Moon…April Kawoni

Planting Moon…May AniSguti

Green Corn Moon...June Tihaluhiyi

Ripe Corn Moon…July Guyegwoni

Fruit Moon...August Galoni

Nut Moon...September Dultidsdi

Harvest Moon...October Duninudi

Trading Moon...November Nudadequa

Snow Moon...December Usgiyi

TRADITIONAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOONS:

JANUARY: Cold Moon Unolvtani

This time of the season is a time for personal and ritual observance, (Physical or Spiritual) fasting and purification.

During this season, families prepare for the coming of the new seasons, starting in the Windy Moon Anuyi or March. Personal items and tools for planting are repaired, and new ones made. Stories about ancestors and the family are imparted to the younger ones by the Elders. A mid-winter or "Cold Moon Dance" is usually held in the community as well, marking the passing or ending of one cycle of seasons and welcoming of the new cycle. Hearth fires are put out and new ones made. The putting out of Fires and lighting of new ones anciently is the duty of certain "priests" of certain clans, and coincides with the first new-arrival of the morning star in the East.

FEBRUARY: Bony Moon Kagali

Traditional time of personal-family feast for the ones who had departed this world. A family meal is prepared with place(s) set for the departed. This is also a time of fasting and ritual observance. A community dance officiated by a "doctor" Didanawiskawi referred to as a Medicine-person/Holy Person. Connected to this moon is the "Medicine Dance".

MARCH: Windy Moon Anuyi

"First New Moon" of the new seasons. Traditional start of the new cycle of planting seasons or Moons. New town council fires are made. A special dance and ceremony is done to give honor and respect to the "Four Directional Spirits" also known as the "Four Arch Angels" that the Creator God (He is called by many names in many different tongues and languages of the world, Yowa, Yahweh, The Great Spirit, The Great Mystery, to name just a very few of the Native terms) He is still all the same one and only God of the entire universe whom gave charge, to the four Directional Spirits/Arch Angels over the four corners of the Earth.

They are also responsible to help in protecting all from evil and total destruction.

NOTE: Native Americans "The Original People" DO NOT worship these beings or any animal(s), they only give full and absolute worship to the Creator God only and His Son .

Respect and Honor is what is given and shown to mother earth and animals and other human beings and spiritual beings (Like our Ancestors/Loved ones before us) Also, the spiritual beings created by the Creator of all called "Angles".

APRIL: Flower Moon Kawoni

First plants of the season come out at this time. New births are customary within this time frame. The first new medicine and herb plants are blooming and are easier to find to prepare for harvesting later. Rivers and streams are are renewed from the winter, cleansed fresh and free flowing once again.

A dance and ceremony is performed in honor of the "Long People"(Water People/Spirits) called by the Tsalagi (Cherokee) people, the "Knee Deep Dance or Water Frog Dance".

MAY: Planting Moon Anisguti

Families traditionally prepare the fields and sow them with the stored seeds from the last season. Corn, beans, squashes, tomatoes, potatoes, yams, and sunflowers are just some of the basic foods planted at this time. A dance called the 'Corn Dance" is traditionally held at this time.

JUNE: Green Corn Tihaluhiyi

First signs of the "corn in tassel" and the emerging of the various plants in the field. People traditionally begin preparations for the upcoming festivals for the growing season. This is one of the many times throughout the entire year that, that the needs of the Elderly or infirmed of the villages and towns of the Tribe(s) or Nation(s) needs are seen to and met.

JULY: Ripe Corn Moon Guyegwoni

First foods or the new planting and the roasting ears of corn are ready. Towns begin the cycle festivals. Dances and celebrations of thanks, honor and respect are given to Earth Mother during this time. In the old times this was the traditional time of the "Green Corn Dance" or festival. A common reference of this moon is the "first roasting of ears of corn" also called the "Sweet Corn Moon". This is the customary time for commencement of the Stick Ball games traditionally called AniStusti, "Little War". Today known as "LaCross". Stickball dances and festivals are commonly held at this time.

AUGUST: Fruit Moon Galoni

Foods of the trees and bushes are gathered at this time. The various "Paint Clans" begin to gather many of the herbs and medicines to make into salves, poultices and tinctures etc.

Green Corn festivals are commonly held at this time in the present day. The "Wild Potato" clans AniNudawegi, begin harvesting various foods growing along the streams, marshes, lakes and ponds.

SEPTEMBER: Nut Moon Duliidsdi

The corn harvest referred to as "Ripe Corn Festival" was customarily held in the early part of this moon to acknowledge Selu the spirit of corn. Selu is thought of as the first woman (Mother Earth). This festive "The Brush Feast" done at this time is to give Honor and Respect to Earth Mother for her yielding and providing all foods during the growing season. Most of all for the fact that we are all from the dust of Earth Mother from the very beginning of time formed by the Creators' hands, and breathed the breath of life into by the Creator of the entire Universe. It also is a time of remembrance that we as all things, go through "four cycles of life". Birth, Infant,Youth and Elderhood/Maturity. Then the cycle begins again as does Spring, summer, fall and winter.

All the fruits and nuts of the bushes and trees of the forest and surrounding areas were gathered at this time. These usually went into many varieties of foods and breads. Hunting began at this time for storage and preparation of the winter to come.

OCTOBER: Harvest Moon Duninudi

Time of traditional "Harvest Festival" Nowatequa when the people gave thanks to all living things of the field and earth that helped the people to live. The "Great Moon" festival was held at this time.

NOVEMBER: Trading Moon Nudadaequa

Traditionally a time of trading and barter among different towns and tribes for manufactured goods, produced and goods from hunting. The "Original People" traded with other nearby tribes and Nations from all over the world, by land and sea long before the European came to be known.

This was the time of the "Friendship Festival" Adohuna means "New Friends Made". This was also the time, that all transgressions were forgiven, except for murder. Murder was traditionally taken care of according to the "Law of Blood" by the individual clans of that murdered person. The festival results recalls a time before "world selfishness and greed". This was a time also again, is a time when the needy among the people are given whatever is needed to help them through the impending lean winter season.

DECEMBER: Snow Moon Usgiyi

The spirit being, "Snow Man", brings the cold and snow for the Earth to cover the high places while the Earth rests until the "Rebirth of the Seasons". Families traditionally were busy putting up and storing goods for the next cycle of seasons. Elders enjoyed teaching and retelling stories of ancient times and present of the people and things to the young to pass on to their young later on, keeping history and beliefs alive.

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NOTE: THESE TWO STORIES WERE PLACED HERE UNDER THE LESSONS PAGE, BECAUSE OF THEIR TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON LIFE.

THE WOODEN BOWL:

A frail Elder man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four year old grandson. The Elder man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faulted.

The family ate together at the table. But the Elderly Grandfather's shaky hands and failing eyesight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather sat alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp and very harsh when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with some wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making little bowls for you and momma to eat your food in when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then the tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork dropped, milk was spilled, or a tablecloth soiled.

UNKNOWN AUTHOR

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THE FENCE AND NAILS:

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence..

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it, and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him by the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.

You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say " I'm sorry", the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

UNKNOWN AUTHOR

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