The Wakan Circle

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As some of you know I'm carving a Canoe Paddle for a youth from a local tribe to use on next years Tribal Canoe Journey. This Tribal Journey is a way to let the tribal youth be informed about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. It also gives them a chance to learn about the Old Ways of their people through songs and stories that have been passed down through many generations. I'm carving the paddle out of Yellow Cedar.(traditional) My question is, would it be disrespectful to perform a Cherokee Blessing for a paddle that is not for a Cherokee? If not, could someone tell me the formal way to bless it in the way of our Cherokee Ancestor's. If it is disrespectful to do this I will ask an Elder of her tribe to bless it for her. I want to bless it for many good and insightful journeys to come.

With Respect & Honor to my Elders, I ask.

Eagle Heart. to hi du

My brother, when we bless something in the name of our Creator, it doesnt matter who recieves this object we have blessed. This sounds like a wonderful journey that your paddle may be on and I feel the owner of that paddle will learn much and appreciate what you are doing... Give her a message from me...... " May your journey be a great one and your journey in life be the same." hugs Annie

siyo Annie, I will convey your words. I've been thinking about it and what I'm going to do is take the paddle inside my Prayer Circle. My Prayer Circle doesn't include people. It is a circle formed by Creator using tree cedars and two pines for me. I've known this since 06/01/01 when I first moved out here in the sticks.There is peace among the tall trees. I'll send you a picture of it via email. I'll take the Yellow Cedar shavings from the paddle and bless the paddle with a prayer on it's smoke from my heart for this paddle to serve the person that I transfer possession to and keep her safe. I've Canoed the Puget Sound and those waters can get pretty rough at times. Creator has left me many Eagle feathers on those many Island's that are in the Sound. And after I bless the paddle I'll take it to one of my trusted Nooksack Tribal Elder friends (the girls tribe) and humbly ask for her blesings too for the paddle.

Bernita Antoine trusted Elder & weaver of baskets and hats. She is making me a full brim Cedar woven hat. We are always doing something for one another. I made her and her sister matching Owl wing fans.

With Great Respect Honor,& Love I say Wado, Eagle Heart. to hi du

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
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