In the beginning, We made an oath to do right by this world.
Before the the first 2 legged stepped on this land.
Now so many go to remember the old times.
They long for them..but can not give up what they have to bring peace of mind..and peace of soul.
The old souls..the old ways..they know the end is coming and accept it...welcome it.
Earth cries out for help, the animals, the birds, the fish, our brothers and sisters..they call out for help.

In the beginning the four leggeds, the winged ones, and the water breathes lived on the earth.
They lived happily among each other. There was plenty of food, plenty of fresh water.
But the Great spirit felt the world was not complete; so he made the 2 leggeds, man.
Man came to the world..and he sat about dumbly. He did not eat, he did not drink.
The Great Spirit said to him, man "Why do you not eat, you lie about and die. Eat of the food and drink of the water."
So man upon hearing this set out to eat and drink. And man seeing some berries on a bush all bright and red came to them and ate them. Then growing thirst, came to the great water and drank thirstily of it.
Now the Great Spirit saw man was still dieing but this time he was dieing of sickness. He asked man "Why do you grow sick and die, I have put you in a world of plenty."
Man replied, "I ate of the berries and drank of the water, the berries were sour and the water salty and it causes illness."
"Ahh" said the Great Spirit, "I understand, watch the animals, follow them, see where they eat, and see where they drink and do as they do."

So man followed the animals, he followed the bear, and the wolf, and the great cat and the other animals. He saw what they ate and where they drank and becoming hungry decided to try the food. So man tasted the berries and the fruits and meats the animals ate, they were sweet and good and did not make man sick. So man went to the water where he saw animals drink and he drank the water, which was fresh and cool ad he grew happy and strong.
He cried to the Great Spirit, "Thank you Great Spirit, for showing me the way and placing me on this land."
The Great Spirit replied "Thank not me, but your brother and sisters the 4 leggeds, and the winged ones, and the water breathers, for they have shown you the way".
"Yes yes!" said man, "I will thank them and show them honor for helping me."
And so it was, man and animal lived together.

Legends of the Seminoles

When the Creator, the Grandfather of all things, created the earth, there were many things he wanted to put there. Birds, animals, reptiles, insects, many different living things. The Creator did have certain favorite animals. He liked the Panther, Coo-wah-chobee - crawls on four legs, close to the ground. The Panther would sit beside the Creator and He would pet the Panther, over and over, across its long, soft, furry back.

The Creator made sure that certain animals and plants possessed unique healing powers. When the Creator touches certain things longer than normal, His powers automatically go into what He touches. He told Panther, "When is complete, I would like for you to be the first to walk on the earth. You are majestic and beautiful. You have patience and strength. There is something special about you. You are the perfect one to walk the earth first."

Creator went to work making all sorts of animals and birds. Animals on all fours, animals with hooves, animals with paws, birds with claws, insects, reptiles - why, there was nothing the Creator left out. When the earth was ready, Creator put all the animals in a large shell. Or something round. He set it along the backbone of the earth - the real high mountains. "When the timing is right," He told the animals, "the shell will open and you will all crawl out. Someone or something will crack the shell and you must all take your respective places on the face the earth." The Creator then sealed up the shell and left, hoping the Panther would be first to come out.

Time went along, and nothing happened. Alongside the shell stood a great tree. As time passed, the tree grew so large that its roots started encircling the shell. Eventually a root cracked the shell. The Panther was patient, which the Creator liked. But, at this particular time, Panther was too patient. The Wind started circling around the crack in the shell, round and round the inside, so vigorously that the crack was made larger.

The Wind, however, remembered that the Creator wished for the Panther to be on earth first. "We will fulfill the Creator's wishes," said the Wind, reaching down to help the Panther take its place on earth.

The Wind was everywhere. The Wind was the air we breathe. After Wind helped the Panther out first, the Panther thanked Wind for the honor. Next to crawl out was the Bird. The Bird had picked and picked around the hole, and, when the time was right, stepped outside the shell. Bird took flight immediately. After that, other animals emerged in different sequences. Bear, Deer, Snake, Frog, Otter. There were thousands of others, so many that no one besides the Creator could even begin to count them all. All went out to seek their proper places on earth.

Meanwhile, as Bird was flying around looking for a place to live on earth, the Creator was watching. He watched each animal and did not intervene, but left the animals on their own. The Creator often allows things to happen along their own sequences. Sometimes a thing must happen on its own merits.

When the creator saw that all was done, He decided to name the animals and put them into Clans. For being such a good companion, the Creator rewarded the Panther with special qualities: "Your Clan will have the knowledge for making laws and for making the medicine which heals," Creator told Panther. "You, the Panther, will be in possession of all knowledge of different. The Panther will have the power to heal different ailments and to enhance mental powers."

Creator believed the actions of the Wind were very honorable and noble, so He told the Wind: "You will serve all living things so they may breathe. Without the wind - or air - all will die."

The Bird, for being able to take flight, will be ruler of the earth, said the Creator: "The Bird will make sure that all things are put in their proper places on earth."

So this is how the beginning was made. Some call it the Creation. Though there were many, many animals put on this earth by the Creator, all came to know their proper places on earth.

Today, among the Seminoles and other Indian people, there are ceremonies on the occasion of the greening of the earth. At these ceremonies, you can see the Panther, with brother Wind, mixing the medicines for all people to use.

If you enter the festival grounds and don't know your place, you seek out the head of the Bird Clan - usually a man ranked high within the Clan - and ask where to make your camp. He will ask you "What is your Clan?" If you say "Panther," he will give you a direction and instruct you to seek out the head of the Panther Clan and he will tell you exactly where to sleep.

Stories such as the Creation and many other legends do have important meanings to us. Sometimes, however, interpreting them may confuse us. Seminole, Miccosukees, Creeks, Cherokees, Choctaws, and many other tribes tell tales of Creation. These stories may parallel but are rarely told in exactly the same manner from tribe to tribe, for from Clan to Clan. For good reason - they all live in different locations on the earth and that has much to do with the way the stories are told.





THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW

There was an old lady, from the "Cree" tribe, named"Eyes of Fire", who prophesied that one day, because of the white mans' or Yo-ne-gis' greed, there would come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer be, mankind as we would know it would all but cease to exist.

There would come a time when the "keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs" would be needed to restore us to health. They would be mankinds' key to survival, they were the "THE WARRIORS OF THERAINBOW".

There would come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes would form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great Spirit.

The "THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW" would spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth or "Elohi". They would teach them how to live the "Way of the Great Spirit". They would tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is "Sick".

"THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW" would show the peoples that this "Ancient Being" (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the "Earth or Elohi" beautiful again. These Warriors would give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path right with the world. These principles would be those of the Ancient Tribes. The "THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW" would teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding. They would teach of Harmony among people in all four comers of the Earth.

Like the Ancient Tribes, they would teach the peoples how to pray to the Great Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, they would be able to feel joy in solitude and in councils. They would be free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. They would feel happiness enter their hearts, and become as one with the entire human race. Their hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit. They would once again fill their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. They would seek the beauty of the Master of Life - the Great Spirit! They would find strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of life.

Their children would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed. The rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life.

The poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives. The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrated their love, wisdom, and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, would be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their "quality" and not the amount of money they had obtained. Like the thoughtful and devoted "Ancient Chiefs", they would understand the people with love, and see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.

The tasks of these"WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW" are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to beauty and plenty - once more.

The day will come, it is not far away. The day that we shall see how we owe our very existence to the people of all tribes "THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW" that have maintained their culture and heritage. Those that have kept the rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we shall once again return to "harmony" with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind. It will be with this knowledge that we shall find our "Key to our Survival".

This is the story of the and this is my reason for protecting the culture, heritage, and knowledge of my ancestors. I know that the day "Eyes of Fire" spoke of - will come! I want my children and grandchildren to be prepared to accept this task.The task of being one of the.......
"THE WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW"






How Coyote Stole Fire

When man was new to the world they were mostly happy. When winter got closer they became fearful and unhappy. Many of the old and young would die in the long bitter months of winter. Coyote had not need for fire so he seldom concerned himself with it. One day upon hearing women mourning for the ones that had died, he felt sorry for them. He felt there was something he could to help. He knew of a faraway mountain top where three Fire Beings lived. These Beings guarded their fire carefully for fear that man might somehow acquire it and become as strong as they.

So Coyote went to the mountain and crept to its top. He watched the way that the Beings guarded their fire. As he approached, the Beings leaped to their feet and gazed searchingly round their camp. Their eyes glinted like bloodstones, and their hands were clawed like the talons of the great black vulture.

"What's that? What's that I hear?" hissed one of the Beings. "A thief, skulking in the bushes!" screeched another.The third looked more closely, and saw Coyote. "Oh, it's an ordinary coyote!" They sat down again by their fire and paid Coyote no more attention.
So he watched all day and night as the Fire Beings guarded their fire. He watched them feed pine cones and branches to the fire. At night, the Beings took turns to sit by the fire. Two would sleep while one was on guard; and at certain times the Being by the fire would get up and go into their teepee, and another would come out to sit by the fire. Coyote saw that the Beings were always jealously watchful of their fire except during the earliest morning, when the first winds of dawn arose on the mountains. Then the Being by the fire would hurry, shivering, into the teepee calling,

"Sister, sister, go out and watch the fire." But the next Being would always be slow to go out for her turn. Coyote went down the mountain and spoke to his friends. He told them of the Fire Beings, and the warmth and brightness of the flame. They all agreed that man should have fire, and they all promised to help Coyote's undertaking.
Then Coyote sped again to the mountain top. Again the Fire Beings leaped up when he came close, and one cried out, "What's that? A thief, a thief!" But again the others looked closely, and saw only a grey coyote hunting among the bushes. So they sat down again and paid him no more attention.

Coyote waited through the day, and watched as night fell and two of the Beings went off to the teepee to sleep. He watched as they changed shifts all the night long, until at last the dawn winds rose. Then the Being on guard called, "Sister, sister, get up and watch the fire." And the Being whose turn it was climbed slow and sleepy from her bed. But before she could come out of the teepee, Coyote lunged from the bushes, snatched up a glowing portion of fire, and sprang away down the mountainside.

Screaming, the Fire Beings flew after him. Swift as Coyote ran, they caught up with him, and one of them reached out a clutching hand. Her fingers touched only the tip of the tail, but the touch was enough to turn the hairs white, and coyote tail tips are white still. Coyote shouted, and flung the fire away from him. But the others of the People had gathered at the mountain's foot. Squirrel saw the fire falling, and caught it, putting it on her back and fleeing away through the treetops. The fire scorched her back so painfully that her tail curled up and back, as squirrels' tails still do today.

The Fire Beings then pursued Squirrel, who threw the fire to Chipmunk. Chattering with fear, Chipmunk stood still as if rooted until the Beings were almost upon her. Then, as she turned to run, one Being clawed at her, tearing down the length of her back and leaving three stripes that are to be seen on chipmunks' backs even today. Chipmunk threw the fire to Frog, and the Beings turned towards him. One of the Beings grasped his tail, but Frog gave a mighty leap and tore himself free, leaving his tail behind in the Being's hand, which is why frogs have had no tails ever since. As the Beings came after him again, Frog flung the fire on to Wood. And Wood swallowed it.

The Fire Beings gathered round, but they did not know how to get the fire out of Wood. They promised it gifts, sang to it and shouted at it. They twisted it and struck it and tore it with their knives. But Wood did not give up the fire. In the end, defeated, the Beings went back to their mountaintop and left the People alone.

But Coyote knew how to get fire out of Wood. And he went to the village of men and showed them how. He showed them the trick of rubbing two dry sticks together, and the trick of spinning a sharpened stick in a hole made in another piece of wood. So man was from then on warm and safe through the killing cold of winter.






Earth Dragon; from a Northern Californian Tribe

In a dark time when there were no mountains, rocks or land, only the waters of the ocean, the Earth Dragon got up and walked down from the North. It traveled underground and the god Nagaicho rode on its head. In the oceans depths the water rose up to Earth Dragon's shoulders. When it turned its head upward, there he made a ridge near the coast in the north where the waves break. In the East he looked up again, there he created a large island near the coast. Far away to the South he continued looking up and made great mountain ranges. In the South the great dragon laid down.

Nagaicho placed its head as it should be and spread clay between the eyes and on each horn, then a layer of reeds, and some small stones. He set blue grass, brush, and trees in the clay. "I have finished," he said. "Let there be mountain peaks on the earth's head. Let the waves of the sea break against them." The mountains appeared with brush and stones and the head itself buried from sight. He made the redwoods and other trees grow on the tail of the dragon. He carved out creeks by dragging his foot through the earth. He traveled all over the earth providing a comfortable place for man to live.

After he finished they looked around. Nagaicho and his dog arrived back at their starting point. "We're close to home. Now we'll stay here." he said. So he left this world where people live and now he inhabits the North.






Listen to the voice of nature,
for it holds treasures for you.
(Huron)




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