I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson.
So I took him into the woods, to a quiet spot.
Seated at my feet he listened as I told him
of the powers that were given to each creature.
He moved not a muscle as I explained
how the woods had always provided us
with food, homes, comfort, and religion.
He was awed when I related to him
how the wolf became our guardian,
and when I told him that I would sing
the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed.
In my song, I appealed to the wolf
to come and preside over us
while I would perform the wolf ceremony
so that the bondage between my grandson
and the wolf would be lifelong.
I sang.
In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat.
I sang.
In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers.
I sang.
In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed-- the link to creation.
I sang.
In my eyes sparkled love.
I sang.
And the song floated on the sun's rays from tree to tree.
When I had ended,
it was if the whole world listened with us
to hear the wolf's reply.
We waited a long time
but none came.
Again I sang,
humbly but as invitingly as I could,
until my throat ached and my voice gave out.
All of a sudden
I realized why no wolves
had heard my sacred song.
There were none left!
My heart filled with tears.
I could no longer give my
grandson faith
in the past, our past.
At last I could whisper to him: " It is finished!"
"Can I go home now?" He asked,
checking his watch to see if he
would still be in time to
catch his favorite program on TV.
I watched him disappear and wept in silence.
All is finished!

 

 by Chief Dan George (chief of the Salish Band in Burrard Inlet, B.C.)