The First Nation

For the people of the First Nation, spirituality was inclusive of all levels of life, including the governing of the interests of the “People”.

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The council fires were believed to be a part of the grand design that Creator was unfolding on behalf of the nations in their coming together to establish rules and agreements.

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One senses this pervasiveness, by innuendo, in a statement by Dave Chief, Grandfather of Red Dog.

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He observed; "Respect means listening until everyone has been heard and understood.

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Only then is there a possibility of "Balance and Harmony"... the goal of Indian spirituality."

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The aforementioned “spirituality” incorporated every stratum of tribal life.
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Many American Indian tribes made use of the talking stick or, alternately, the talking feather (an eagle feather), the Pwagen (the pipe), a wampum belt, the sacred shell or other instrument, as a means of just and impartial dialogue.

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This device was commonly used in council circles to designate who had the right to speak, especially when matters of great concern came before the convention.
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The leading elder would hold the talking stick and begin the discussion... and as he finished speaking, he would hold out the totem, allowing whoever wished to speak after him to take it.

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An act of decorum and civility, the stick was passed from one individual to another until all who wished to speak had done so.

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The stick was then passed back to the leading elder for safekeeping.

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Even today within the Nations this icon is a symbol of respect for free-speech, assuring the speaker he has the freedom and power to say what is in his heart without fear of reprisal or humiliation.
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Whoever holds the talking stick has within his hand the sacred power of words, the centerpiece of oral-tradition societies.

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The speaker is conscious that one should not forget he carries within himself a sacred spark of the Great Mystery, with the subsequent understanding that he, himself, is also sacred.

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Should he feel he cannot honor the talking stick with his words, he will refrain from speaking so as not dishonor himself.

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When he reclaims control of his words, the stick will be returned to him.
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It naturally follows that the American Indian is alert to meter and rhyme, context and innuendo, in the speaking of words.

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He embraces silence until something worthy of sharing comes into his mind naturally, like the filling of an empty cup.

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Within the ever-present void, he maintains in his awareness the flow of life and whatever is in his surroundings.

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His breathing is a metronome, the very pulse of Universal life that he places his attention on while considering and forming his homily.
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It is words, and the placement of words in forming patterns, that Indians identify as “Powers”.