[MajestyJo]

Oct. 4
Elder's Meditation


I wonder if the ground has anything to
say? I wonder if the ground is listening
to what is said? I wonder if the ground
would come alive and what is on it?
Though I hear what the ground says.
The ground says, It is the Great Spirit
that placed me here. The Great Spirit
tells me to take care of the Indians, to
feel them aright. The Great Spirit
appointed the roots to feed the Indians
on. The water says the same thing.
The Great spirit directs me, Feed the
Indians well. The grass says the same
thing. Feed the Indians well. The
ground, water and grass say, The
Great Spirit has given us names. We
have these names and hold these
names. The ground says, The Great
Spirit has placed me here to produce all
that grows on me, trees and fruit. The
same way the ground says, It was from
me man was made. The Great Spirit, in
placing men on the Earth, desired them
to take good care of the ground and do
each other no harm . . .
-CHIEF YOUNG, CAYUSE, 1855