"I know that the robes, leggings, moccasins, bear claws, and so on are of little value to you, but we wish you to have them and to preserve them in some conspicuous part of your lodge, so that when we are gone and the sod turned over our bones, if our children should visit this place, as we do now, they may see and recognize with pleasure the things of their fathers, and reflect on the times that are past."

Sharitarish - Pawnee
(ca. 1790-1822)

In some small way, these pages are the tokens I have displayed with pride in a conspicuous part of my lodge, and it is my hope that you might recognize with pleasure the spirit of our fathers and reflect on the times that are past and look to the promise of the future. I hope that you will take the time to seek the spirit of the people of this land and come to know and love them as I do.

Spirit Voices
Copyright©1997