Spirit Of The Bear

Archive 12

Friend and brother : it was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day . He orders all things , and has given us a fine day for our council.....He has taken His garment from before the sun and caused it to shine with brightness upon us.....for all things we thank the Great Ruler , and Him ONLY !

Brother , this council - fire was kindled by you....it was at your request that we came together at this time....we have listened with joy to what you have said . You requested us to speak our minds freely....This gives us great joy , for we now consider that we stand upright before you and can speak what we think......All have heard your voice and can speak to you with one mind....Our minds are agreed.

Brother , listen to what we say....There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island....their seat extended from the rising to the setting sun....The Great Spirit had made it for the use of the Indians....He had created the buffalo , the deer and other animals for food...He had made the bear and the beaver . Their skins served us for clothing .
He had scattered them over the country and taught us how to take them . He had caused the earth to produce corn for bread . All this he had done for His red children because He loved them . If we had some disputes about our hunting ground they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood . But an evil day came upon us....Your forefathers crossed the great water and landed upon this land....their numbers were small....They found us friends and not enemies....they told us they had fled from their own country on account of wicked men and had come here to enjoy their religion....they asked for a small seat....We took pity on them and granted their request and they sat down amongst us....We gave them corn and meat ;..... they gave us poison ( rum ) in return....

Brothers , our seats were once large , and yours were small . You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets......You have got our country , but are not satisfied ; you want to force your religion upon us.

Brother , continue to listen . You say that you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeable to His mind ; and if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach , we shall be unhappy hereafter . You say that you are right , and we are lost . How do we know this to be true ? We understand that your religion is written in a book....If it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great Spirit given to us - and not only to us , but to our forefathers - the knowledge of that book , with the means of understanding it rightly ? We only know what you tell us about it . How shall we know when to believe , being so often deceived by the white people ?

Brother , you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit . If there is but one religion , why do the white people differ so much about it ? Why not all agree , as you can all read the book ?

Brother , we do not understand these things . We are told that your religion was given to your forefathers , and has been handed down from father to son...... we also , have a religion that was given to our forefathers , and has been handed down to us , their children ....We worship in that way .....it teaches us to be thankful for all the favors we receive ; to love each other , and be united . We never quarrel about religion , because it is a matter which concerns each man and the Great Spirit .

Brother , we do not wish to destroy your religion or take it from you ; we only want to enjoy our own .

Brother , we have been told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place . These people are our neighbors . We are acquainted with them.....we will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them.... If we find it does them good , makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians , we will consider again of what you have said.

Brother , you have now heard our talk and this is all we have to say at present . As we are going to part , we will come and take you by the hand , and hope the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey , and return you safely to your friends .

This passage was taken from the Seneca Chief and great orator of the Six Nations Sa-go-ye-wat-ha or Red Jacket in 1805 . He was replying to a young missionary named Cram during a meeting of the Evangelical Missionary Society of Massachusetts where they were ' spreading the word '.

'Touch the Earth.' compiled by T.C. McLuhan.

Yours in Love and Light,

Nah ' Hak (Melanie)