There was an old lady, from the "Cree" tribe, named "Eyes of Fire", who prophesied that one day, because of the white mans' or Yo-ne-gis' greed, there would come a time, when the fish would die in the streams, the birds would fall from the air, the waters would be blackened, and the trees would no longer be, mankind as we would know it would all but cease to exist. There would come a time when the "keepers of the legend, stories, culture rituals, and myths, and all the Ancient Tribal Customs" would be needed to restore us to health.
They would be mankind's key to survival, they are the "Warriors of the Rainbow".
There is a time of great awakening in each age when all the peoples of all the tribes of the planet form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of Great Spirit. The "Warriors of the Rainbow" spread these messages and teach all peoples of the Earth or "Elohi". They teach them how to live the "Way of the Great Spirit". They tell them of how the world today has turned away from the Great Spirit and that is why our Earth is "Sick". The "Warriors of the Rainbow" show the peoples that this "Ancient Being" (the Great Spirit), is full of love and understanding, and teach them how to make the "Earth or Elohi" beautiful again.
These Warriors give the people principles or rules to follow to make their path right with the world... principles of the Ancient Tribes. The Warriors of the Rainbow teach the people of the ancient practices of Unity, Love and Understanding & teach of Harmony among people in all four comers of the Earth.
Like the Ancient Tribes, they teach the peoples how to pray to the Great Spirit with love that flows like the beautiful mountain stream, and flows along the path to the ocean of life. Once again, humankind feels joy in solitude and in councils. Free of petty jealousies and love all mankind as their brothers, regardless of color, race or religion. Feeling happiness entering hearts, and becoming as one with the entire human race. Human hearts would be pure and radiate warmth, understanding and respect for all mankind, Nature, and the Great Spirit.
Once again filling their minds, hearts, souls, and deeds with the purest of thoughts. Seeking the beauty of the Master of Life - Great Spirit.. and finding strength and beauty in prayer and the solitudes of nature. Their children would once again be able to run free and enjoy the treasures of Nature and Mother Earth. Free from the fears of toxins and destruction, wrought by the Yo-ne-gi and his practices of greed.
The rivers would again run clear, the forests be abundant and beautiful, the animals and birds would be replenished. The powers of the plants and animals would again be respected and conservation of all that is beautiful would become a way of life. The poor, sick and needy would be cared for by their brothers and sisters of the Earth. These practices would again become a part of their daily lives.
The leaders of the people would be chosen in the old way - not by their political party, or who could speak the loudest, boast the most, or by name calling or mud slinging, but by those whose actions spoke the loudest. Those who demonstrated their love, wisdom, and courage and those who showed that they could and did work for the good of all, would be chosen as the leaders or Chiefs. They would be chosen by their "quality" and not the amount of money they had obtained.
Like the thoughtful and devoted "Ancient Chiefs", they would understand the people with love, and see that their young were educated with the love and wisdom of their surroundings. They would show them that miracles can be accomplished to heal this world of its ills, and restore it to health and beauty.
The tasks of these "Warriors of the Rainbow" are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to beauty and plenty - once more.
We shall see how our very existence is enhanced by the people of all tribes who have maintained humanity's culture and heritage, who have kept the knowledge, rituals, stories, legends, and myths alive to reach the future generations of new cycles. It will be with this knowledge, the knowledge that they have preserved, that we can remember our intrinsic "harmony" with Nature, Mother Earth, and mankind.
This is the "Key to our Survival". This is the story of the "Warriors of the Rainbow" and this is our reason for protecting the culture, heritage, and knowledge of our ancestors. I know that the day "Eyes of Fire" spoke of - is real and is now. I want my children and grandchildren to be prepared to receive the torch of our understanding.
Our Beliefs
Seven Fires:
In the time of the First Fire, the Anishinabe nation will rise up and follow the sacred shell of the Midewiwin Lodge. The Midewiwin Lodge will serve as a rallying point for the people and its traditional ways will be the source of much strength.
The Sacred Megis will lead the way to the chosen ground of the Anishinabe. You are to look for a turtle shaped island that is linked to the purification of the earth. You will find such an island at the beginning and end of your journey. There will be seven stopping places along the way. You will know the chosen ground has been reached when you come to a land where food grows on water. If you do not move you will be destroyed
You will know the Second Fire because at this time the nation will be camped by a large body of water. In this time the direction of the Sacred Shell will be lost. The Midewiwin will diminish in strength. A boy will be born to point the way back to the traditional ways. He will show the direction to the stepping stones to the future of the Anishinabe people
In the Third Fire the Anishinabe will find the path to their chosen ground, a land in the west to which they must move their families. This will be the land where food grows upon the waters. You will know the future of our people by the face the light skinned race wears. If they come wearing the face of brotherhood then there will come a time of wonderful change for generations to come.
They will bring new knowledge and articles that can be joined with the knowledge of this country. In this way, two nations will join to make a mighty nation. This new nation will be joined by two more so that four will for the mightiest nation of all. You will know the face of the brotherhood if the light skinned race comes carrying no weapons, if they come bearing only their knowledge and a hand shake.
Beware if the light skinned race comes wearing the face of death. You must be careful because the face of brotherhood and the face of death look very much alike. If they come carrying a weapon ... beware. If they come in suffering ... They could fool you. Their hearts may be filled with greed for the riches of this land. If they are indeed your brothers, let them prove it. Do not accept them in total trust. You shall know that the face they wear is one of death if the rivers run with poison and fish become unfit to eat. You shall know them by these many things.
In the time of the Fifth Fire there will come a time of great struggle that will grip the lives of all native people. At the waning of this Fire there will come among the people one who holds a promise of great joy and salvation. If the people accept this promise of a new way and abandon the old teachings, then the struggle of the Fifth Fire will be will be with the people for many generations. The promise that comes will prove to be a false promise. All those who accept this promise will cause the near destruction of the people.
In the time of the Sixth Fire it will be evident that the promise of the Fifth Fire came in a false way. Those deceived by this promise will take their children aways from the teachings of the Elders. Grandsons and granddaughters will turn against the Elders. In this way the Elders will lose their reason for living ... they will lose their purpose in life. At this time a new sickness will come among the people. The balance of many people will be disturbed. The cup of life will almost become the cup of grief.
" In the time of the Seventh Fire New People will emerge. They will retrace their steps to find what was left by the trail. Their steps will take them to the Elders who they will ask to guide them on their journey. But many of the Elders will have fallen asleep. They will awaken to this new time with nothing to offer. Some of the Elders will be silent because no one will ask anything of them. The New People will have to be careful in how they approach the Elders. The task of the New People will not be easy. If the New People will remain strong in their quest the Water Drum of the Midewiwin Lodge will again sound its voice. There will be a rebirth of the Anishinabe Nation and a rekindling of old flames. The Sacred Fire will again be lit. It is this time that the light skinned race will be given a choice between two roads. If they choose the right road, then the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth and final Fire, an eternal fire of peace, love brotherhood and sisterhood. If the light skinned race makes the wrong choice of the roads, then the destruction which they brought with them in coming to this country will come back at them and cause much suffering and death to all the Earth's people.
The Eighth Fire is a term arising from the teachings of the Seven fires prophecy. The teaching suggests that if enough people—of all colors and faiths—turn from materialism and instead choose a path of respect, wisdom and spirituality, environmental and social catastrophe can be avoided, and an era of spiritual illumination will unfold. Most Anishinaabe Elders alive today who have awareness of the prophecy believe that the false promise of the Fifth Fire is related to the acceptance of Christianity, and to the Indian Residential Schools. According to the Elders, Anishinaabe people are currently in the Seventh Fire and major Earth changes are due to occur soon. According to other Elders, the Seventh Fire has already come to pass and the Eight Fire has been lit. However, a belief that is growing in popularity among younger generations of Anishinaabe people is that the false promise of the Fifth Fire is related to a widespread focus on attaining unique political rights, as opposed to a focus on the civic and familial responsibilities enshrined in the teaching of Dodem, the ancient Anishinaabe clan system. For these younger generations, the Anishinaabe people are only on the verge of lighting the Sixth Fire.
White Buffalo Calf Woman is the Mother of Life.
White Buffalo Calf Woman's legend is ancient, arising about 2000 years ago, and is central to the spiritual practices of numerous Native American nations.
Various, but similar, versions of the legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman are told. The brief story presented here is based primarily on the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman at various websites as told by Joseph Chasing Horse, Traditional Leader of the Lakota Nation.
“It was told that next time there ischaos and disparity,she would return again. She said she would return asa White Buffalo Calf.Some believe she already has.” Words of Chief Arvol Looking Horse,19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota Nation
While two warriors were out hunting buffalo, a white buffalo calf suddenly appeared. As she approached them she changed into a beautiful young woman . . . which is how she came to be called the White Buffalo Calf Woman.One of the young warriors offended her with his lustful thoughts and White Buffalo Calf Woman asked him to approach.
White Buffalo Calf WomanVisit the art of Cher Lyn at Mystic Art Medicine As he stepped forward, a black cloud descended over him and when it dissipated all that was left of him was his bones.The other warrior fell to his knees and began to pray.
The White Buffalo Calf Woman told him to return to his people, telling them she would appear to them in four days, bringing with her a sacred bundle. And this she did, appearing to them as a white buffalo calf descending on a cloud. Stepping down, she rolled over on the ground, changing from white to black, then yellow, then red.
When White Buffalo Calf Woman arose she was once again the beautiful woman, cradling the sacred bundle in her arms.Spending four days with the people, White Buffalo Calf Woman taught them sacred songs, dances, and ceremonies as well as the traditional ways.
White Buffalo Calf Woman instructed them to be responsible caretakers of the land and to be always mindful that the children are the future of the people.On the fourth day White Buffalo Calf Woman left in the same manner she had arrived, telling the people she was leaving the sacred bundle, the White Buffalo Calf Woman pipe, in their care.
She promised to one day return for it and to bring harmony and spiritual balance to the world.White Buffalo Calf Woman prophesied that the birth of a white buffalo calf would be a sign that it was near the time of her return.A beautiful, and different, telling of the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman is provided by Matthew Richter in American Comments, a web magazine fighting racial hatred and discrimination.
This version tells the story of how a woman called the Mother of Life came to become the White Buffalo Calf Woman and discusses the meaning of the pipe and the prophesy.
According to this legend a young woman, during an enemy raid on her village, saw a toddler injured and ran to cradle him in her arms and comfort him as death approached. Soon she too was mortally wounded and her young body crumpled with the young child still cradled in her arms.
Her spirit hurried to catch up with the child's so that she would be there to care for him when they crossed over. To honor her noble act, the Sioux gave her the name Mother of Life.Later she appeared as White Buffalo Calf Woman to a young warrior whose troubled heart yearned for a good future for the children, a future without the prospect of continual war and divisiveness, a future of peace. White Buffalo Calf Woman advised him "to seek the vision of a mother's heart for the love of her children".
White Buffalo Calf Woman gave the pipe into his care, detailing the ways in which the people could learn to grow into responsible keepers of the pipe, cultivating peace and understanding. One of her gifts was the suggestion that all children be taught to hold baby animals with love and caring, so that as they grow they will learn to love all the other babies of the world.
As she gave her instructions, the white buffalo calf that accompanied the woman rolled over four times, each time changing colors . . . once for each race, first white, then yellow, then red, the black, signifying that we are all members of the same family.
White Buffalo Calf Woman:
Now, more than any time in history, we need the sacred feminine to balance our lives and to balance our world. We must be spiritual warriors…culling the profound and important aspects of the power of feminine wisdom and directing them toward peace within, as without, and utilizing the energies of the goddess and all mythical women and spiritual heroines to help direct the course of history.
”*In 1994, a white buffalo calf was born on a farm in Wisconsin. . .the first white buffalo born in decades.Some believe she was the fulfillment of the prophecy that the return ofthe White Buffalo Calf Woman will herald the advent of an age of peace and harmony.
White Buffalo Calf Woman
Learn first hand from the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman Pipe himself, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, leader of the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate great Sioux Nation by watching the video immediately above this notation.
All whom are born in the America's are after all...
One must question another irony in that the whites came to find religious freedom. They came to escape religious persecution. Yet they did not understand that they should have granted us the same rights. They became free…we became the persecuted and our freedom was taken away.
This is not the way of Tunkasila. The Great Spirit knows no single religion as right and true. He sees the different religions as the spokes in a wheel and he is the hub, the Center…all spokes lead to him and are connected to him. He holds the universe together and the world turns on his axis of love, generosity, and equality. Amazingly, what happened then is still happening today as people around the world declare a holy war and they too cry, “God wills it.
Everything on earth is alive;
Everything on earth has purpose;
Everything on earth is connected;
Everything on earth is to be embraced.