What is a warrior? One does not become a warrior because he is a
young person. Creation mandated this as a duty and responsibility.
It is the most natural part of nature. It is based on the instinct
to survive. All species, humans, insects, animals, birds and every
species of life has this instinct. Without it, there would be no
life. Spirituality is the natural spirit to live. It is not man-
made.



Where is this reinforced in our culture? A warrior has to know our
laws and ways. When he is asked, "Who are you?" Can he answer in
his language? A warrior is brought to the people during one of the
four appropriate traditional festivals. He receives his name
through the naming ceremony. When his name is announced to the
people, then he becomes part of the community. This is the
political side of it. This is the first step in becoming a warrior.



Then he remembers how he was raised by his mother after his birth.
How his relatives took care of him until his voice changed. Until
that time he always had his grandmothers and grandfathers around
him. They brought the philosophy and principles of our culture to
him. The women fed him, clothed him and made him comfortable,
strong and healthy.



As his voice began to change, it was a sign to the old ones that it
was time to start the next phase of his education. His uncles on
his mother's side took him. He went through a fast to seek his
protection and medicine. When he received it, then his medicine bag
was made for him. After he receives it, this is his protection.
His umbilical cord, which has been saved since his birth, is
returned to him by his grandmother and placed in his medicine bag.
Through his woman relatives, the soil of the earth is put into his
medicine bag by his mother or grandmother. He always wears it to
remind him of who he is and what is his protection.



Now he is ready to learn his duties, responsibilities and
obligations to his people.



He begins his physical training. He trains before sunrise every
morning. His uncles awaken him to start running in the forest as
far and as hard as he can. He stops at high noon. His stamina
increases every day. Finally he is able to run from sunrise until
high noon without stopping. During that time he sees something
different within nature around him. He sees the night creatures as
they go to get their rest. He sees the flowers open up, the birds
start to sing and the day insects come out. Every day he sees and
learns something new. All the while he is building his body and
developing his mind.



Once he does this, he is taken into other advanced areas of
learning. He is taught how to defend himself, to wrestle and other
endurance building sports and activities. For example, our people
had a highly developed knowledge of the science of physical
development. Our ancestors knew how to pass down this knowledge.
The early Europeans were amazed at the highly advanced physical and
mental development of our people.



The grandfathers and uncles teach him more about his
responsibilities under the Kaianereh'ko:wa/Great Law of Peace.
Prior to this it was explained to him by his women relatives in a
symbolic way. The men then help him put the laws, culture and
traditions into actual practice. As he gets older, he starts
learning the adult version and its realities. Our people knew that
our young people had to learn in stages.



Symbolism is deciphered and applied to his every day life, in
governance, responsibilities and his continuing development. This
is the path to becoming a warrior.



Each man is different. Each is an individual. Each has to learn
how to work with others. The formula for working together has
always been in the Kaianereh'ko:wa. When a young man proclaims he
is a warrior, he must have this knowledge. He can't go by
assumptions. He has to learn and accept the truth and the reality
of his responsibility. This is the most difficult part for people �?BR>to accept and apply the truth.