There is a longing

There is a longing among all people and

creatures to have a sense of purpose and worth.

To satisfy that common longing in all of us we

must respect each other.

In the olden times man

and creature walked as friends
who carried the beauty of the
land in their heart. 
Now each one of us is needed to make
sure the salmon can find a
place to spawn and the bear
cub a tree to climb.
There is little time left
and much effort needed!

~ Chief Dan George, excerpts from My Spirit Soars, 1982, Hancock House Publishers Ltd.

The Bear is Closest to Man

"When I was born my grandfather took me from my mother and wrapped me into a black bear's soft fur blanket.  It gave me warmth! It gave me security and comfort!  How can I be anything but grateful to the bear?  Of all the creatures he is closest to man.  Yet it seems there is little place for him now."

The Wolf

"The wolf has been driven from the land.  Without him the wolf clan cannot celebrate the wolf ceremony.  To lose a ceremony is to lose the past."

"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....
When I had ended, it was as 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 T.V.
I watched him disappear and wept in silence.
All is finished!"

Dan George died September 23, 1981 at age 82.  According to his biographer, an eagle appeared overhead and flew, in silent circles as the chief was buried. ~ excerpts, My Spirit Soars by Chief Dan George and Hirnschall, Hancock House Publisher Ltd., Surrey, B.C., 1982.

Photos:  Credit River, Ontario, Canada. lbw