The Eagle Feather

by Randy Macey, Mohawk

When the world was new, the Creator made all the birds. He
colored their feathers like a bouquet of flowers. The Creator
then gave each a distinct song to sing. The Creator
instructed the birds to greet each new day with a
chorus of their songs. Of all the birds, our Creator chose
the Eagle to be the leader. The Eagle flies the
highest and sees the furthest of all creatures. The Eagle is a
messenger to the Creator. During the Four Sacred Rituals
we will wear an Eagle Feather in our hair. To wear
or to hold the Eagle Feather causes our Creator to take
immediate notice. With the Eagle Feather the Creator is
honored in the highest.

When one recieves an Eagle Feather that person is being
acknowledged with gratitude, with love, and with ultimate
respect. That feather must have sacred tobacco burnt for it. In
this way the Eagle and the Creator are notified of the
name of the new Eagle Feather Holder. The holder of the
Eagle Feather must ensure that anything that changes the
natural state of ones mind (Alcohol and Drugs) must
never come in contact with the sacred Eagle Feather. The keeper
of the feather will make a little home where the
feather will be kept. The Eagle feather must be fed. You feed
the Eagle Feather by holding or wearing the feather at
sacred ceremonies. By doing this the Eagle Feather is
recharged with sacred energy. Never abuse, never disrespect, and
never contaminate your Eagle Feather. The Mohawk man
will have three Eagle Feathers standing straight up on his
Kahstowa (feather hat).

The time will soon be here when my grandchild will long
for the cry of a loon, the flash of a salmon, the whisper
of spruce needles, or the screech of an eagle. But he
will not make friends with any of these creatures and
when his heart aches with longing he will curse me.
Have I done all to keep the air fresh? Have I cared
enough about the water? Have I left the eagle to soar
in freedom? Have I done everything I could to earn my
grandchild's fondness?

-Chief Dan George-(1899 - 1981)

Grandfather Cries

Grandfather, do you know me?
I am your blood.
The son of your son.
I come to ask you a question Grandfather.

Grandfather, don't you know me?

Can I stop being Indian now?
There are others that want to be Indian,
And if they can start from nothing,
I should be able to stop from something?

Grandfather, don't you know me?

Grandfather, I don't look like you.
I don't know what you know.
It would be easy for me to hide behind my paler skin.
No one would know the pain I feel,
Or see the tears I cry for your Great Grandchildren.

Grandfather, don't you know me?

Grandfather, look what I have done to our world.
Mother Earth is on her knees.
The Snake and Owl rule the day.
I don't understand the language you speak Grandfather.

Grandfather, don't you know me?

Grandfather, I want my Pepsi, Levi's and Porsche too.
I want to go where the others go,
And see the things they see too.
I don't have time to dance in the old way Grandfather.

Grandfather?

Grandfather, why are you crying?
Grandfather, why are you crying?
Grandfather, please stop crying.
Grandfather, don't you know me?

Written by: Charles Phillip Whitedog ©
Charles can be reached at: whitecoyote2@yahoo.com
Thank You Charles for allowing me to post this!

"We must protect the forests for our children,
"We must protect the forests for our children,
grandchildren and children yet to be born. We
must protect the forests for those who can't
speak for themselves such as the birds, animals,
fish and trees."

Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody)
Nuxalk Nation

Email us at : sbaize@rochester.rr.com This page last updated on 20 January 2003

Background music is MAZE by Robert Tree Cody

Designed By: DREAMWALKER

Background set and bars by: Kokopelli Krazy