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Old 02-20-2003, 01:10 PM   #1
mushroomy2k
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story time

Song of Life
By Takatoka


It is said by the Elders that every person has a song. A Song of Life. This is a story about a long forgotten custom among our people that begs to be revived.





Noquisi was a young and beautiful Indian woman who was married during a fall gathering of the nations by the waters of Nowasalon at the sacred of mountain of Manataka. After returning to her home lands, winter came and past as Noquisi happily informed Grandmother Wilnota and other women of the tribe that she was heavy with her first child.

The women and everyone in the tribe were joyous and began to make gifts and other preparations for the baby. Grandmother Wilnota announced one day that it was time for the women to go into the forest to find a Song.

The next morning all the women gathered at the edge of the village and began a journey deep into the wilderness. As they arrived at a stream near a waterfall, they made camp and a sacred circle in the clearing. The women then prepared special foods and placed them in baskets around the circle. At last, Grandmother called shy Noquisi to come forward and sit in the middle of the circle. The women gathered around as Grandmother announced the purpose of their meeting.

"We gather here to learn the Song of Life for the baby inside Noquisi. We shall pray to the Great Mystery, the Creator of all things and listen carefully to Mother Earth to learn the Song. We know every soul has a special vibration that knows its purpose and bears the unique character of its ancestors. Let us begin."

As everyone's eyes were closed deep in meditation and prayer, a small brown chipmunk sitting on a nearby stump smelled the wonderful food and slowly crept to one of the baskets nearest Grandmother. Nervously looking from side to side the Little Chipmunk carefully slid into the basket and began to eat to his hearts content. Noquisis saw the little chipmunk climb into the basket but was afraid to say anything during the prayer ceremony.

After many hours of prayer and silent visions, a strong wind began to blow across the camp. The women became attuned to the unique vibrations and light surrounding Noquisi. Grandmother Wilnota then called for Noquisi to stand and hear her baby's Song of Life.

The women began to loudly sing in one voice, one song of life for the unborn baby. As Noquisi stood in the middle of the sacred circle, she could feel the Song of Life coming into her, giving strength and joy.

Loud voices outside the basket startled the sleepy little brown chipmunk but he was afraid to move. Peaking out the top of the basket, Little Chipmunk decided he must escape before he was discovered. But, it was too late, Grandmother reached into the basket as she announced it was time for everyone to eat.

Grabbing a small round ball of fur, Grandmother exclaimed, "Ah ho, what do we have here? It looks like we have a little thief in our basket!" With a smile, she placed her hand to the ground and let Little Chipmunk scamper away.

During the course of many weeks to follow, Noquisi quietly sat alone in her lodge or walked in the forest as she sang the Song of Life to the unborn child.

Many weeks later when Noquisi's baby was born, the entire community gathered and sang the Song of Life to the new baby boy. At the time of the full moon, the entire village again gathered to sing the baby's Song of Life during his naming ceremony. The boy was named Uwetsi Ganolvvsgv (Wind Song), but not surprisingly, The boy was given another name, Giyuga Usti (Little Chipmunk).

Years later, the boy grew and after successfully completing his first hunting trip, the tribe again gathered in the circle around Little Chipmunk and chanted his Song of Life. After he passed all the necessary requirements to enter adulthood, the people once again gathered to sing his Song of Life.

At the time of his marriage, Little Chipmunk heard his Wind Song, his Song of Life sung during ceremonies. Finally, when his soul was about to pass from this world, all the people gathered around his bed to sing his Song of Life.






Each of us know we have a song. A beautiful vibration within as a reminder of our eternal purpose. Those we love must sing that Song to us throughout our lives. We all yearn to be loved, acknowledged and accepted for the person we are.

There is another event when the tribe gathers to sing the Song of Life to an individual. Whenever a crime or a serious anti-social offense is committed, the person is called to the center of the circle and expected to admit to the transgression. Then, the village sings their Song of Life to the child within the person.

In this way, poor behavior was corrected by reminding the individual of who their real self in the Creator's eyes. After the Song of Life is sung by ones family, friends and neighbors, there was no desire to do anything to disrupt the wonderful blessing given by the Song.

Our people did have jails, prisons and insane asylums because there was not a need. Punishment was the extension of love in remembrance of the true identity within the person.

A friend and those who love you know your song and sing it when you have forgotten its vibration. People who love you do not care about the dark and ugly things you sometimes become. They hear the beauty of your song, they remember your light and know the sweetness within you.






If your mother was not given a special Song of Life before your birth, then you must begin to search for it now. Do not wait for the milestones of life to pass without this special recognition. Walking the good Red Road means knowing your Song. You can no longer be confused, lost, alone and depressed. You must give your Song of Life a strong voice.





When you know your Song of Life, you have two obligations: The first is to find people who have a similar song, similar vibrations, and sing it to each other. The second is to pass this wonderful custom down to the next generation. In this way we support our brothers and sister in their walk and we provide future generations with peace and happiness.

Aho!.
i love reading native american stories and poems.
yall have a fantastic afternoon.




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Old 02-20-2003, 04:13 PM   #2
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Old 03-04-2003, 09:22 AM   #3
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story time

the story of manataka-by lee standing bear moore.
the place of peace.
.
The Sacred Mountain

and Valley of the Vapors
For thousands of years, this magnificent site was the gathering place of many nations. Tribal leaders and medicine people made pilgrimages to the Great Ma-na-ta-ka Mountain to sit in great peace councils with many tribes. Some came every seven years and others made the journey more frequently depending on local custom.
Tribal leaders prayed and made peace offerings to the Creator, the Great Manataka (Place of Peace) Mountain and each other. They danced and sang around huge campfires in the narrow valley surrounding the mountain. Their daughters gathered rare medicinal herbs that were found in great abundance in the area. Their sons found precious clear crystals, gold, silver, and whetstones
Everyone sought healing and pleasure in its magical hot waters called Nówâ-sa-lon (Breath of Healing) that spewed from the sides of the mountain creating dozens of crystal clear pools. No brave was allowed to enter the 'Valley of Vapors' carrying a weapon because the area was decreed by God as the 'Place of Peace'. No fighting or discord was allowed. Should anyone violate these laws, they were taken outside the valley and severely punished.
Our Grandfathers saw dense green forests surrounding the narrow valley. Steam rose from abundant hot springs on the side of the mysterious mountain. The valley was shrouded in misty vapors which feathered the lush underbrush and curled upward through the tall trees. Sometimes the vapors joined low clouds to float away in the pink evening sky. Other times they lay lightly upon the ground like a soft blanket or swirled around the bubbling crystal pools.
Manataka was a place of strange, mystical beauty. Everywhere, the sound of trickling water made sensual music as it bathed the bare faces of fractured cliffs and splashed into creeks at the bottom of the mountain. In places where the steaming waters issued from the rock, growing cones of tufa covered with exotic mosses cupped in shades of red and orange painted the calcareous rock. Particles of silica, washed by the sun, sparkled like millions of diamonds while pyrite fragments seemed to catch fire and glow.
One of forty-seven hot springs covered in
a beautiful moss found only at Manataka.
The most magnificent sight to behold at Manataka was seen from miles away in any direction. Indian elders on pilgrimage may have said to their fellow travelers, "We know we are there when the sign in the sky appears." The sign was a huge, beautiful rainbow stretching across the entire valley.
The Rainbows of Manataka did not disappear after a few minutes of glory in the sun like all other rainbows. Manataka's rainbows would build and build in size and would become more colorful throughout the day because of the constantly running hot and cold water springs.
The Rainbows of Manataka were not only a natural wonder of the world and a magical sight, they held a very special meaning. Our ancestors knew the rainbow had a sacred purpose. They believed the rainbow was a sign of the Creator's Blessing.
Wherever the rainbow appeared it was a place appointed by the Great Spirit - Creator for people to gather, especially those of differing origins and interests. It was a place where even enemies sat in peace. It is at Manataka, under the rainbows that the nations gathered by direction of the Creator for His purpose.
Manataka is truly the place of peace for all people. The area was a cultural and trade center for all native peoples - a great melting pot of American Indian culture. The Valley of the Vapors was neutral territory unclaimed by any tribe. The Great Spirit decreed that all that visited here were to lay down their weapons and bathe as brothers in the healing waters. Even tribes who were hostile to each other acknowledged the truce while in the Place of Peace.
The Caddo were the dominant people in areas surrounding the valley. The Quapaw, Osage, Tunica, Natchez, Pawnee and Shawnee were nearby. There is disagreement between some archeologists, ethnologists and historians as the exact number of tribes that may have visited Manataka. Some have indicated there may have been thirty-four language groups who considered the Valley as sacred ground. Stories of the sacred Valley of Peace still exist among some tribes today. Other tribes, whose languages have been largely lost since the European invasion, speak of Manataka as if it were a mythical place.
In the early 1500's, Spanish conquistadors mounted expeditions to find the legendary spring whose magic waters could rejuvenate the elderly and heal the sick. In 1512, Ponce DeLeon failed in his attempt to reach the mysterious hidden valley containing the "Fountain of Youth" and a "crystal fountain".
His fellow explorer, Hernando DeSoto was the first white European invader to enter the Valley of the Vapors in 1541. Desoto's chroniclers wrote about the amazing sites they beheld. "As far as the eye could see" were hundreds of lodges representing tribes from every part of the vast continent. The colorful dress of various groups was different from one another and they spoke many distinct languages. In the large central plaza where ceremonial and tribal dances were held, there was a great gathering of old men and Chiefs seated in a circle smoking the pipe of peace.
Great Chief Tuskalosa shows the human butcher Conquistador, Hernando Desoto the beauty of his homeland..
By the early 1800's, the original inhabitants began to disappear. European invaders sacked the land, spread disease and incited inter-tribal wars that all but decimated dwindling native populations.
After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, white invaders began to settle in the Valley of Vapors. In 1832, President Jackson, mastermind of the Trail of Tears and other racial atrocities, was looking for a way to demoralize and disorient native populations. Jackson pushed Congress to confiscate the most holy site in the American Indian world, Manataka. He created the nation's first federal reserve and a forerunner to the national park system.
The confiscation of Manataka by Jackson was an act contrary to the terms of the Louisiana Purchase and against the Constitution of the United States. The United States government promised the French, Spanish and native tribes in negotiations preceding the Louisiana Purchase the federal government would not violate sacred sites. Prior to enactment of the "provisional" law creating the first commercial federal reservation Jackson was warned by the U.S. Supreme Court the government was prohibited by the Constitution to own land [There is still no provision in the Constitution for the government to own land].
.
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Old 03-04-2003, 09:25 AM   #4
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story time

I CRIED OUT!

By Rodger Lloyd Reeder
I cried out to my Ancestors
that they would help me on my journey
That they would plead my case to the Creator
that I had proven I would not give up.
I cried out to my Ancestors
that I had shown my heart was true
That even if it cost my life
I would find a way to move their promise
forward, and not give up.
Then I heard a voice that came from my lips
a voice I knew, but had never heard
I heard the voice that came from my lips
and I knew it was the true voice of my heart
... it was so easy; it was so true,
... the voice of my Ancestors. Hey-ya!
I cried out to the Creator
I will do Your will!
But I need Your help to carry on
I am tired, and my heart is broken.
I cried out to the Creator
I am sad, and my heart is heavy
from the waiting!
But I will never give up; I will go forward,
and I am grateful for this calling
And I heard a voice that came from my lips
as I thought about my blessings
And these were the words that
came from my heart...
O'Great Spirit, my answer is yes, yes, yes!
... it was so easy; it was so true,
.. the voice of my Ancestors. Hey-ya!
Then I asked the Creator for three things
that would help me on my journey
I asked for a pure and open heart;
to remember the child in all His stories.
I asked for a strong and true heart
that can endure the coming trials;
And I asked the Creator for a wise heart
that can choose His righteous paths.
Then I heard a voice just over
my left shoulder,
it was Sparrow talking right to me.
And then I heard a voice come from my lips
and we spoke like we were brothers
... and it was so easy; it was so true
... the voice of my Ancestors.
Hey-ya-yey-hey! Wa-ya U-nega
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Old 03-04-2003, 09:31 AM   #5
creeder
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I don t have the spirit too read all this
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You now what
I don`t like you at all
You have nothing
And i have it all
I got nothing to share with you
Maybe a piece of paper
But what is that?
Maybe it defines you?
You are no one
Just be your self

"Complex!"
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Old 03-04-2003, 09:32 AM   #6
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story time

I Will Fight No More Forever by Chief Joseph.
I WILL FIGHT NO MORE FOREVER

(Surrender Speech)

by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce
I WILL FIGHT NO MORE FOREVER -
I am tired of fighting.
Our chiefs are killed.
Looking Glass is dead.
Toohulhulsote is dead.
The old men are all dead.
It is the young men who say no and yes.
He who led the young men is dead.
It is cold and we have no blankets.
The little children are freezing to death.
My people, some of them,
Have run away to the hills
And have no blankets, no food.
No one know where they are-
Perhaps they are freezing to death.
I want to have time to look for my children
And see how many of them I can find.
Maybe I shall find them among the dead.
Hear me, my chiefs, I am tired.
My heart is sad and sick.
From where the sun now stands
I will fight no more forever. - -
THE END

have a wonderful day.Diane

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Old 03-04-2003, 09:41 AM   #7
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story time

Quote: Originally posted by creeder
I don t have the spirit too read all this
..
oh come on creeder,i know you can do it,i believe in you.
reading is good for you,just a little patience and take your.
time.have a great day creeder.Diane
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