Apr. 30th.

It's not what you have but what you give that makes you good. It's not where you live but how that sets you apart. It's not who your ancestors are that says I am special but who will count you as a special ancestor.

Big Tree 4/30/2010

Apr. 29th.

I was advised when I left home to join the Navy, "Get in the water, walk on the beach or sit on the ground every time you can. Only that way will you stay a people." I didn't understand then but I do now. Even in winter I have to at times go barefoot outside and allow Grandfather Sun to touch my bare skin.

Big Tree 4/29/2010

Apr. 28th.

Have you watched the geese, the ants or the bees. they live in harmony and move when conditions call for it. They never go hungry nor lack a bed. Live then like that, part of community but part of nature also. Fill your purpose both within community and nature.. Then you will be in harmony. Cling not to property or things but to others, for in clinging to things you become property of things. Where is your community? Where do you find yourself and who needs you?

Grandmother Smith 1961

Apr. 25th.

"When your in a state of meditation your mind touches the past, present and future. Your being holds the smallest energy particle and the largest sun within. You are part of God and all creation."

Uncle Gus Burgeson 1961

Apr. 27th.

As I was told by the elder earthkeepers, our job in the past was to bless the gardens, the waters and the animals that the people might have food. Further it was the job to at least twice a year send healing to Mother that all life might continue. Further it was the job of each of them to build and maintain a medicine wheel within the village that might be the sacred ground for ceremony and the balance between the other life forms and man. It also was the job of the earthkeepers to recommend when to move the village to and find a new site for the village that the present site might renew itself. Most of those duties were destroyed by the white idea that man somehow could own parts of Mother. Until then their were no boundries, we moved and interacted with Mother and her other children and with other two legged as a part of the whole. Such was our ability that we even moved away from well established villages that the Earth might heal. Soon we were attacked even by our own tribes people for our medicine was not valued.

Big Tree 4/27/2010

Apr. 26th.

Only you can decide what you are going to say or how.

Uncle Bob Big Tree 1953

Apr. 24th.

When you pray do so in this manner. First see what you are asking for as accomplished. Feel how you would feel if it were so, smell it, feel it hear it, and know it as if already done, then give thanks and let it go.

Big Tree 4/24/2010

Apr. 23rd.

Respect and honor your self and your family. Above all honor your promises to self and others. Make yourself a person others will follow.

Big Tree 4/23/2010

Apr. 22nd.

Each and every life on Earth including Mother herself has medicine to share with us if we just stop and ask then listen.
Even Grandfather Sun has medicine if you just pause in his glow and allow him to share.

Big Tree 4/22/2010

Apr.21st.

Peace has to be worked for both within and without.

Eli Parker Degandaweda

Apr. 20th.

Do you dance for the ancestors, or for those yet to come? Do you dance in mourning for those unborn or in celebration of those who showed the way? Do you dance for yourself or for the people? Why you dance is as important as how you dance.

Big Tree 4/20/2010

Apr. 19th.

As all of the elders I met said in one form or another, each of us is a special part of creation with a purpose. Seek out and find that purpose that all creation might benefit.

Big Tree 4/19/2010

Apr. 18th.

Like one elder asked me in 1953, " Which part of you is Indian? is it your nose, your ear or maybe your little toe. People do not come in parts. Just different reflections of the first people." I might add, even a adopted brother or sister is as much a part of my family as my own blood kin. For Degandaweda said to make it so, and I do. For that matter, every tribe had adoption ceremonies which made either a stranger or a enemy into family. Perhaps it's time to bring that custom back

Big Tree 4/18/2010

Apr.17th.

Women know and are the essence of love.

Frank Fools Crow sometime in the 50's

Apr. 16th.

As I put it to a group I taught a while back. The ceremony purify's you on the outside but it's purpose is to awaken the joy inside that you might become a light for others.

Big Tree 4/16/2010

Apr. 15th.

As one steel worker Uncle of mine once told me, the only thing that kept him human was coming back to the people when ever he could. Like he put it, NY City was so far from reality that he found his heart turning to steel just like that which he erected in the skyscrapers. Always return to nature and to the people to renew yourself.

Big Tree 4/15/2010

Apr. 14th.

Until you love and respect yourself, you can not love or respect others. Such is the way of Great Mystery.

Uncle Bob (Big Tree) 1954

Apr. 13th.

A friend is someone you enjoy the company of, stand up for when he/she is attacked, tell them when their wrong and stand with them when they are right.

Big Tree 4/13/2010

Apr. 12th.

Old Mary often said "All of us think we are incomplete and ugly until we have lived our purpose."

Big Tree 4/12/2010

Apr. 11th.

The best way to start experiencing things of the spirit is to act like you already are.

Various elders 1950's

Apr. 10th.

We can't change anything as individuals, however we can by working as a community of people change the world.

Big Tree 4/10/2010

Apr. 9th.

All life is blessed by Great Mystery this is including the two legged, the four legged, the feathered, the fined and swimming and even the rock people and cloud people are special and equal to you.

Grandmother Smith 1952

Apr. 8th.

Everything you touch and work with that feels your respect will cooperate with you.

Big Tree 4/8/2010

Apr. 7th.

The women will carry the message of Black Elk from Patagonia to Pt. Barrow. Listen to their voice as they say no more war or rape or greed.

Big Tree 4/7/2010

Apr. 6th.

Community grows and becomes stronger when each of us serves our purpose.

Big Tree 4/6/2010

Apr. 5th.

The day is coming when women will say no more war or greed. You will not hurt me, my sisters or my children any more.

A prophecy after a ceremony back in the 50's

Apr. 4th.

Grandmother said when you pray for others your needs are met. When you pray for self that is greed.

Big Tree 4/4/2010

Apr. 1st.

Grandmother said, always pray, not just in the morning but each time you start something else during the day. That makes the day go better in every way.

Big Tree 4/1/2010

April 3rd.

Learn from nature for only there will you find the true way to Great Mystery.

Several Elders in the 1950's.

Apr. 2nd.

With every decision, make sure it will be good for the next seven generations.

Many elders in the 1950's