THE PRAYER CARRIER
The graceful bird of the
  skies, the eagle, is the prayer 
 carrier and  messenger of the 
 Anishinabe people. 
  
 As the eagle soars arose the skies,
  oneknows he is carrying the
  prayers to the Creator.
The eagle has great 
 significance for the 
 Anishinabe people
  when it comes to
 healing ceremonies 
 and 
 ceremonies honouring
  and
  respecting other people.
  
 Although people of different cultures 
 may have different beliefs,
  respecting others' beliefs is part 
 of the 
 growing process in the 
 Anishinabe way of life.
As a person begins
  to grow more spiritual, 
 he learns to respect and honor
the graceful eagle of the skies.
  
 An individual might see himself
  as the eagle when he prays 
 for the people who are 
 in need 
 of prayer to get them 
 through  the rough spots on
  the road of life.
In the healing ceremonies performed 
 by the medicine man 
 or 
 medicine woman, the eagle carries 
 the sickness out of the body 
 and
  up to the 
 Creator for healing. 
  
 The person who is sick
 must 
 believe in the power of 
 the prayer carrier.
When ones sees this graceful bird 
 flying overhead, 
 one should pray 
 with 
 tobacco in his hand 
 and
  give thanks to the eagle for 
 showing himself.