Origins Of The Smoke Signal

A gentle......almost magical.....puff of smoke rises up toward the clouds and heavens, floating, suspended in space, lifting then gradually disappearing, being consumed by the earth surrounding it and the breath of the wind that carries it.

An ancient skill of communication and survival, one that is simplistic in design, yet, universal versatility. A skill of the Native American Indians, also of the ancient Chinese and presently used by the Boy Scouts of America.

The " sending station" was a high location that would be visible from another high location. The individual sender laid flammable material ( logs etc. ) on a fire bed that was of controlled size and design. Many of these were referred to as " fire bowls in earth Mother".

For the most part the signals or code was pre-arranged between the sender and the receiver. There was no universal code for shapes, frequency or multiples of puffs.

To have established a "set" series of signals equating to consistent meaning would have allowed enemies to " read" the communication as well.

" Fire bowls" have been located and studied on distinct hill tops and are saucer shaped depressions, round or square, five to eight feet across and lined with field stones.

The size, shape and depth of the " fire bowl" was in direct relation to the amount and type of " fuel" to burn to produce the needed smoke.

The stone lining aided in controlling the fire from escape and also provided " props" or "braces" which poles could be laid across with either skins or blankets attached, allowing for control and manipulation of the smoke to produce "puffs" of visible shape and size.

Some of these " fire bowls" or pits have been mapped and studied as they lay in close proximity to the " Warrior Path" that ran between encampments of Shawnee near the Scioto River and Ohio River near Richmondale. This ridge and " path" of location ranges from elevations of six hundred and nine hundred feet.

In general Smoke Signals could signal danger, warning, call the people to a common meeting area, and transmitting news. Smoke could be made to curl in spirals, ascend in puffs or circles, even parallel lines. Some signals resembled the letter V or Y and some were zigzag. There were a few overall accepted meanings ..... as three puffs in rapid succession usually indicated danger.

Amongst the Apache, the sighting of one puff quickly losing its geometric shape indicated that a strange party had been spotted approaching. If those " puffs" were frequent and rapidly repeated, it transmitted the message that " the stranger approaching" was in fact many in number and armed.

The burning of wood has always been symbolic of transformation. Changing one tangible form into another or others. In this case usually wood being transformed to new elements, ash, lye, smoke, heat and water vapor. Isn't it somewhat amazing that indigenous peoples utilized one aspect of this transformation of the smoke to communicate amongst the people even over long distance?

When the sender " released" the message the receiver would then often times, become the new sender to another receiver, often many times over.

Therefore, in this fashion the information could be transmitted over vast geographic areas with accuracy.

Smoke Signals became Indian telegraphy.

---- Grandmother Selma

TOTEM POLES OF THE GREAT NORTHWEST

The first totems were carved from mature cedar trees and used in the Potlatch ceremonies of families-clans of the Pacific Northwest, primarily Alaska and British Columbia. They were carved to represent the emblem of the family as a reminder of its history.

A totem is carved and placed at the front entrance of the family longhouse to honor its ancestors, the clan's standing, rights and accomplishments, to record a memorable ceremony or record a spiritual experience. A totem pole is a symbol of the qualities, experience and exploits of the clan.

The totem carvings tell a story, revealed only if one knows the meaning assigned to various animals, fish, birds and designs and where they are placed on the pole. There were a number of reasons why a particular figure or design was chosen by a clan. The connection between the clan and the various figures carved into the pole may have been as a result a special gift from the animal, fish or bird spirits. Or, there may have been a recent encounter with that figure. Some clans claimed to be descended from certain totem figures.

The meaning of many totem poles is lost with time. Even some of today's totem polescan not be understood except from one person - it's owner. Understanding the symbolism and stories hidden within the totem pole is more than a simple exercise in learning the attributed meanings of the figures. It is possible to know the meaning assigned a figure by the people of the Northwest, but it is not always possible to know its significance to the over-all story.

Totem figures are not Gods. Totems are not worshiped like religious icons nor used as a talisman. They were never used to ward off evil spirits and claims of bizarre, magical "totemism" practices are fiction. A totem pole may be compared to the symbolism portrayed in the Great Seal of the United States or a Coat of Arms. These national emblems are roughly equivalent to the meaning bound up in a totem pole except they identified clans not an entire nation.

Totem poles are carved today by both native and non-native people. They have become a highly valued art form and a symbol of pride and tradition for the people of the Pacific Northwest.

We invite you to discover the wonderful stories and wisdom contained in totem poles.

---- manataka.org

SYMBOLS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
(Northwest)

BEAVER Creative, Artistic and Determined
BEAR Strength, Learned Humility, Motherhood, Teaching
BUMBLEBEE Honesty, Pure Thinking - Willingness and Drive
COPPER Wealth and Prestige
DOGFISH Persistence and Strength - A Born Leader
DOVE Love, Gentleness and Kindness
DRAGON FLY Ever-changing Life
EAGLE Great Strength, Leadership and Prestige
EAGLE FEATHER Good Luck to Both Giver and Receiver
FROG Spring & New Life - Communicator, Stability
HALIBUT Life protector, Strength and Stability
HAWK Strength Far Sighted
HERON Patience, Graceful and Easy Going
HUMMINGBIRD Love, Beauty, Intelligence, Spirit Messenger
KILLER WHALE Traveler & Guardian - Symbol of Good
KINGFISHER Luck, Patience, Speed and Agility
LOON Peace, Tranquility - Generous Giving Nature
MOON Protector and Guardian of the Earth by Night
OTTER Trusting, Inquisitive and Bright - Loyal Friendship
OWL Wisdom
RAVEN Creation & Knowledge - Bringer of the Light
SALMON Dependability and Renewal - A Provider
SEAL Bright, Inquisitive, Organized
SUN Healing Energy, Guardian of the Earth by Day
THUNDERBIRD Powerful & Mystical - A Leader
WOLF Intelligence & Leadership - Strong Sense of Family

---- manataka.org

LAKOTA INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVING

Friend do it this way - that is,
whatever you do in life,
do the very best you can
with both your heart and mind.

And if you do it that way,
the Power Of The Universe
will come to your assistance,
if your heart and mind are in Unity.

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,
one must be responsible because
All of Creation is related.
And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.
And the honor of one is the honor of all.
And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

If you do it that way - that is,
if you truly join your heart and mind
as One - whatever you ask for,
that's the Way It's Going To Be.

---- passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

Good morning jag,

I am up to the animal stories, I am enjoying this stuff and I have some ideas bubbling away.
Crazy night last night, I just hope things don't go to far, I know we all have limits.

Anyway, thanks for the laughs, its all good fun.

Hey, Mikey..

"May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Mocassins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder."

---- Cherokee Prayer - Blessing

"Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty."

---- Native American Elder

Native American Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me....,

I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty
and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise, so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength..,
not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy......., myself.

Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you, without shame.

---- translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887

"Go Forward With Courage
When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;
when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
-- as it surely will.
Then act with courage."

---- Ponca Chief White Eagle

"We must remember that the heart of our religion is alive and that each person has the ability within to awaken and walk in a sacred manner."

---- Thomas Yellowtail, CROW

"I do not think the measure of a civilization
is how tall its buildings of concrete are,
But rather how well its people have learned to relate
to their environment and fellow man."

---- Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

"Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other,
thus should we do,
for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World."

---- Black Elk

"When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money."

---- Cree Prophecy

"Peace and happiness are available in every moment.
Peace is every step. We shall walk hand in hand.
There are no political solutions to spiritual problems.
Remember: If the Creator put it there, it is in the right place.
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Tell your people that, since we were promised we should never be moved,
we have been moved five times."

---- An Indian Chief, 1876

"O' GREAT SPIRIT
help me always
to speak the truth quietly,
to listen with an open mind
when others speak,
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence."

---- Cherokee Prayer

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled
with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep
and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

---- Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation 1768-1813

Hold On

"Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
Even if it's easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even if someday I'll be gone away from you."

---- A Pueblo Indian Prayer

"Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men,
we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents.
Without a prison, there can be no delinquents.

We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves.
When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket,
he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift.

We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property.
We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being
was not determined by his wealth.

We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians,
therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another.
We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don't know
how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things
that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society."

---- John (Fire) Lame Deer / Sioux Lakota - 1903-1976

"There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled,
which leads to an unkown, secret place.
The old people came literally to love the soil,
and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of
being close to a mothering power.
Their teepees were built upon the earth
and their altars were made of earth.
The soul was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing.
That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of
propping himself up and away from its life giving forces.
For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply
and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of
life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him."

---- Chief Luther Standing Bear

"We must all become caretakers of the Earth."

--- Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders

(*And this connects to the two videos I made recently, so I will throw the web addresses in here, if you would like to hear my singing voice... and some of my song-writing.. (and a touch of background saxophone, in one song)... I'll post the lyrics for both songs in here sometime, although I might have already posted one of them much earlier in this thread.

The messages in each of the songs are for positive change...)

(copy and paste the addresses)

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE LOVE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPJK7ZNedSw

STREET PEOPLE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4NNAkEHCZc