Native American Wisdom
Thanksgiving Prayer for America
by Frank Fools Crow
Oglala Sioux Lakota
(On September 5, 1975 fools crow became the first Native American holy man to lead the opening prayer for the US Senate. This is part of his prayer);
On this day, on this great island, Grandfather, upon which I stand, I make this prayer to you, for those of us who are in the house.
Give us a blessing so that our words and actions be one in unity, and that we be able to listen to each other, in so doing, we shall with good heart, walk hand in hand to face the future.
This is what I want for all of us, for this reason, grandfather and grandmother, I make this thanksgiving prayer.
In the presence of the outside we are thankful for many blessings. I make my prayer for all people; the children the women and the men. I pray that no harm will come to them and that on the great island, there be no war, that there be no ill feelings among us. from this day on my we walk hand in hand. So be it.
The Tipi
by Flying Hawk
Oglala Sioux Lakota
(Flying Hawk was a nephew of Chief Sitting Bull. 1852-1931)
The tipi is much better to live in; always clean, warm in winter cool in summer, easy to move. The white man builds big house, cost much money, like big cage, shut out sun, can never move; always sick. Indians and animals know better how to live than white man. Nobody can be in good health if he does not have all the time fresh air, sunshine, and good water. 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, so bird and animals can move and always have green grass and ripe berries, sunlight to work and play, and night to sleep; summer for flowers to bloom, and winter for them to sleep; and always changing; everything for good.
A Power Greater Than Man
by Chased-by-Bears
Yanktonai Sioux Lakota
(1843-1915)
When a man does a piece of work which is admired by all we say that it is wonderful, but when we see the changes of day and night, the sun and moon, and stars in the sky and changing seasons upon the earth with their ripening fruits, anyone must realize that it is the work of someone more powerful than man.
Greatest of all is the sun, without which we could not live. The birds and the beasts the trees and the rocks are the work of some great power. Sometimes, men say that they can understand the meaning of the songs of the birds. I can believe this is true. They say that they can understand the call and cry of the animals and I can believe this is also true, for these creatures and man are alike the work of a great power. We often wish for things to come, as the rain or the snow. They do not always come when we wish, but they care sure to come in time, for they are under the control of a power that is greater than man.
Resource;
In a Sacred Manner I Live
edited by Neil Philip
Clarion Books 1997
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