Wolf and man

Boosoo, Hello. My son, wolves were referred to as the guardian of our spirits. Wolves are free spirits even though their packs are very organized. A lone wolf is rarely found in the wild. Wolves are social creatures like you and I. Just as you watch over your sister as does a wolf watch his brother. Just as you listen to your father, as does a wolf to his mother. Just as our family eats together, so to does the wolf.

My son, our people and the wolves are the same.

Long ago, wolves were as numerous as the stars. Many of them once watched over us. Now there are but a scattered few. They were strong hunters and survived with what the earth would give them. Although they would travel, they would never be far from home. Each of them knew their place in the pack and always did their share. Without working together not only would they die but the entire pack would as well.

Our people are like the wolf, we need community, we need to work together and we need to do our share. Not only will you benefit but so will your people.

- Ojibway teaching

"Teach your children what we have taught our children that the earth is our mother. What ever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. This we know. The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth. This we know. All things are connected-like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. What ever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, We do to ourselves".

Chief Seattle.

The Wolf Ceremony

I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson.
So I took him into the woods, to a quiet spot.
Seated at my feet he listened as I told him
of the powers that were given to each creature.
He moved not a muscle as I explained
how the woods had always provided us
with food, homes, comfort, and religion.
He was awed when I related to him
how the wolf became our guardian,
and when I told him that I would sing
the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed.
In my song, 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.
I sang.
In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat.
I sang.
In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers.
I sang.
In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed-- the link to creation.
I sang.
In my eyes sparkled love.
I sang.
And the song floated on the sun's rays from tree to tree.
When I had ended,
it was 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 TV.
I watched him disappear and wept in silence.
All is finished!

by Chief Dan George (chief of the Salish Band in Burrard Inlet, B.C.)