I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson. So I took him into the woods, to a quiet spot. Seated at my feet he listened as I told him of the powers that were given to each creature.
He moved not a muscle as I explained how the woods had always provided us with food, homes, comfort, and religion. He was awed when I related to him how the wolf became our guardian, and when I told him that I would sing the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed. In my song, I appealed to the wolf to come and preside over us while I would perform the wolf ceremony so that the bondage between my grandson and the wolf would be lifelong. I sang.
In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat. I sang.
In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers. I sang.
In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed -- the link to creation. I sang.
In my eyes sparkled love. I sang.
And the song floated on the sun's rays from tree to tree.
When I had ended, it was if the whole world listened with us to hear the wolf's reply. We waited a long time but none came. Again I sang, humbly but as invitingly as I could, until my throat ached and my voice gave out.
All of a sudden I realized why no wolves had heard my sacred song. There were none left! My heart filled with tears. I could no longer give my grandson faith in the past, our past.
At last I could whisper to him: "It is finished!" "Can I go home now?" He asked, checking his watch to see if he would still be in time to catch his favorite program on TV. I watched him disappear and wept in silence. All is finished!
by Chief Dan George - Salish*
Salish*, or Salishan, is a language family comprised of languages and dialects spoken by aboriginal peoples of British Columbia and the states of Washington and Idaho. Salish peoples tell creation stories of animals in human form, the ancestors of present-day human beings, and “transformers” (known as Coyote in the Interior), powerful beings who created the present landscape and modified the order of things, eventually making an environment hospitable for humans.(From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Aboriginals)
He moved not a muscle as I explained how the woods had always provided us with food, homes, comfort, and religion. He was awed when I related to him how the wolf became our guardian, and when I told him that I would sing the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed. In my song, I appealed to the wolf to come and preside over us while I would perform the wolf ceremony so that the bondage between my grandson and the wolf would be lifelong. I sang.
In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat. I sang.
In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers. I sang.
In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed -- the link to creation. I sang.
In my eyes sparkled love. I sang.
And the song floated on the sun's rays from tree to tree.
When I had ended, it was if the whole world listened with us to hear the wolf's reply. We waited a long time but none came. Again I sang, humbly but as invitingly as I could, until my throat ached and my voice gave out.
All of a sudden I realized why no wolves had heard my sacred song. There were none left! My heart filled with tears. I could no longer give my grandson faith in the past, our past.
At last I could whisper to him: "It is finished!" "Can I go home now?" He asked, checking his watch to see if he would still be in time to catch his favorite program on TV. I watched him disappear and wept in silence. All is finished!
by Chief Dan George - Salish*
Salish*, or Salishan, is a language family comprised of languages and dialects spoken by aboriginal peoples of British Columbia and the states of Washington and Idaho. Salish peoples tell creation stories of animals in human form, the ancestors of present-day human beings, and “transformers” (known as Coyote in the Interior), powerful beings who created the present landscape and modified the order of things, eventually making an environment hospitable for humans.(From: The Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples/Aboriginals)
VIDEO Wolf Dance
AS LONG AS 2 WOLVES ARE ALIVE ON THIS EARTH IT IS NOT FINISHED. WE OWE IT TO OUR CHILDREN TO KEEP THE WOLVES ALIVE AND IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT. WE MUST NEVER GIVE UP...FIGHT TO OUR LAST BREATH AND PRAY THAT GOD KEEPS HIS HAND ON US ALL...<3
Breaks my heart that my grand children could live in a land with no wolves if the hunting of them is allowed to continue :'(
Blessed are the beasts and the children <3 <3
So beautiful to remember when losing our sacred creatures to the ignorance of mankind never crossed our minds. I remember bears and wolves running freely in the mountains all around my childhood homes. We learned to both fear and adore them, but especially how to share our mountain with them. It was their home before it was mine.I remember the lessons of my ancestors and have tried very hard to pass on and instill the love and respect for all living things. Ignorantly I believed that the life of respect I had been taught was passed on through me. Just like the grandson in Chief George's story my children and grandchildren have forgotten their promises. I pray for open eyes and willing hearts for all or our precious ones are doomed.
as Gayla Feeney says: it is never finished. as long as there is one person keeping the spirit alive. visiting Seattle this February I was lucky to attend a group of Suwamish/ Duwamish youth practicing dance and chant. an honour to a European alien .. to me it seemed in the ritual there was communication with the elements and I imagine also with ancestors? the joy I could feel was a seed - for some future - planted. and yes, we mourn for nature and wilderness being lost but still people use what they are given .. because it is the only thing we can do. this sad and beautiful story here was speaking to me. thanks alot
It will be a very sad day when there will be no more wolves. That day will come very soon if we do not stand up and protect them. My heart cries for the wolf.
It will be a very sad day when there will be no more wolves. That day will come very soon if we do not stand up and protect them. My heart cries for the wolf.
<3 like very winds they will carry forever..no worries no fear
What a beautiful animal the wolf is. I saw that a lost wolf was captured and raised as a domestic pet. But the wolf knew the difference and all of the great moves and ways were with him. So eventually they took him in and out of the lifestyle the wolf belonged in and he was able to go back . It was such a touching story.
No,I am not Native American,but I love there culture,their songs,everything and this song and story....as you well notice,I love the Wolf and the Coyote,I have heard the Coyotes crying,happy yips,though,not the Wolf,I guess I have to go West or North.
i used to watch the wolf dance as a child and now it is hard to remember