Native1

When you arise in the morning,
give thanks for the morning light,
for your life and strength.
Give thanks for your food
and the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks,
the fault lies in yourself.

- Tecumseh

Sun Tracks

the Track of the Sun
across the Sky
leaves its shining message,
Illuminating,
Warming,
us who are here,
shoowing us we are not alone,
we are yet ALIVE!
And this fire...
Our fire...
Shall not die!

- Atoni (Choctaw)

The Sioux Prayer

As quietly as little rabbit's feet,
The morning glory sun arrives to greet
The Red Man as he worships in his way.
For this he asks the Spirit every day;
"Before I judge my friend, O let me wear
His moccasins for two long weeks, and share
The path that he would take in wearing them;
Then, I shall understand and not condemn.

- Peggy Windsor Garnett

You Are Part Of Me

You are part of me now
You touched me.
With your kindness and love
So enchanted
Your soft lips are kind.
Your eyes glow with life.
I'm glad you touched me.
You're part of me now.

- Lloyd Carl Owle (Cherokee)

Ojibwa Prayer

Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds
And whose breath gives life to everyone,
Hear me.
I come to you as one of your many children;
I am weak... I am small... I need your wisdom
and your strength.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever
behold the red and purple sunsets.
Make my hands respect the things you have made,
and make my ears sharp so I may hear your
voice.
Make me wise, so that I may understand what you
have taught my peopleand
The lessons you have hidden in each leaf
and each rock.
I ask for wisdom and strength,
Not to be superior to my brothers, but be able
to fight my greatest enemy, myself.
Make me ever ready to come before you with
clean hands and a straight eye,
So as life fades away as a fading sunset,
My spirit may come to you without shame.

- Author unknown