Manataka American Indian Council
Song of
Life
By
Takatoka
It is
said by the Elders that every person has a song. A Song of
Life. This is a story about a long forgotten custom among our
people that begs to be revived.
Noquisi was a
young and beautiful Indian woman who was married during a fall
gathering of the nations by the waters of Nowasalon at the sacred of
mountain of Manataka. After returning to her home lands,
winter came and past as Noquisi happily informed Grandmother Wilnota
and other women of the tribe that she was heavy with her first
child.
The women
and everyone in the tribe were joyous and began to make gifts and
other preparations for the baby. Grandmother Wilnota announced
one day that it was time for the women to go into the forest to find
a Song.
The next
morning all the women gathered at the edge of the village and began
a journey deep into the wilderness. As they arrived at a
stream near a waterfall, they made camp and a sacred circle in the
clearing. The women then prepared special foods and placed
them in baskets around the circle. At last, Grandmother called shy
Noquisi to come forward and sit in the middle of the circle.
The women gathered around as Grandmother announced the purpose of
their meeting.
"We gather
here to learn the Song of Life for the baby inside Noquisi. We
shall pray to the Great Mystery, the Creator of all things and
listen carefully to Mother Earth to learn the Song. We know
every soul has a special vibration that knows its purpose and bears
the unique character of its ancestors. Let us begin."
As
everyone's eyes were closed deep in meditation and prayer, a small
brown chipmunk sitting on a nearby stump smelled the wonderful food
and slowly crept to one of the baskets nearest Grandmother.
Nervously looking from side to side the Little Chipmunk carefully
slid into the basket and began to eat to his hearts content.
Noquisis saw the little chipmunk climb into the basket but was
afraid to say anything during the prayer ceremony.
After many hours of prayer and silent visions,
a strong wind began to blow across the camp. The women became
attuned to the unique vibrations and light surrounding Noquisi.
Grandmother Wilnota then called for Noquisi to stand and hear her
baby's Song of Life.
The women began to loudly sing in one voice, one song of life
for the unborn baby. As Noquisi stood in the middle of
the sacred circle, she could feel the Song of Life coming into her,
giving strength and joy.
Loud
voices outside the basket startled the sleepy little brown chipmunk
but he was afraid to move. Peaking out the top of the
basket, Little Chipmunk decided he must escape before he was
discovered. But, it was too late, Grandmother
reached into the basket as she announced it was time for everyone to
eat.
Grabbing
a small round ball of fur, Grandmother exclaimed, "Ah ho, what do we
have here? It looks like we have a little thief in our
basket!" With a smile, she placed her hand to the ground and
let Little Chipmunk scamper away.
During the course of many weeks to follow, Noquisi quietly
sat alone in her lodge or walked in the forest as she sang the Song
of Life to the unborn child.
Many weeks later when Noquisi's baby was born, the entire
community gathered and sang the Song of Life to the new baby
boy. At the time of the full moon, the entire village
again gathered to sing the baby's Song of Life during his naming
ceremony. The boy was named Uwetsi Ganolvvsgv (Wind Song), but
not surprisingly, The boy was given another name, Giyuga Usti
(Little Chipmunk).
Years later,
the boy grew and after successfully completing his first hunting
trip, the tribe again gathered in the circle around Little Chipmunk
and chanted his Song of Life. After he passed all the
necessary requirements to enter adulthood, the people once again
gathered to sing his Song of Life.
At the time of his marriage, Little Chipmunk heard his Wind
Song, his Song of Life sung during ceremonies. Finally, when his
soul was about to pass from this world, all the people gathered
around his bed to sing his Song of Life.
Each of us
know we have a song. A beautiful vibration within as a
reminder of our eternal purpose. Those we love must sing that
Song to us throughout our lives. We all yearn to be loved,
acknowledged and accepted for the person we are.
There is another event when the tribe gathers
to sing the Song of Life to an individual. Whenever a
crime or a serious anti-social offense is committed, the person is
called to the center of the circle and expected to admit
to the transgression. Then, the village sings their Song
of Life to the child within the person.
In this way, poor behavior was corrected by reminding the
individual of who their real self in the Creator's eyes.
After the Song of Life is sung by ones family, friends and
neighbors, there was no desire to do anything to disrupt the
wonderful blessing given by the Song.
Our people did
not have jails, prisons and insane
asylums because there was not a need. Punishment
was the extension of love in remembrance of the true identity within
the person.
A friend and
those who love you know your song and sing it when you have
forgotten its vibration. People who love you do not care about
the dark and ugly things you sometimes become. They hear
the beauty of your song, they remember your light and know the
sweetness within you.
If your mother was not given a special Song of Life before your birth, then you must begin to search for it now. Do not wait for the milestones of life to pass without this special recognition. Walking the good Red Road means knowing your Song. You can no longer be confused, lost, alone and depressed. You must give your Song of Life a strong voice.
When
you know your Song of Life, you have two obligations: The first is to find people who have a similar song, similar
vibrations, and sing it to each other. The second is to pass
this wonderful custom down to the next generation. In
this way we support our brothers and sister in their walk and we
provide future generations with peace and happiness.
Aho!
