The Wolf & Native American Spirituality
The Pawnee of present day Nebraska and
Kansas are different then most other Native Americans. The Pawnee
divided their world horizon into four semi cardinal points. They placed
the Mountain Lion, the Bobcat, the Bear, and the Wolf to these semi
cardinal points. These animals were chosen primarily because they were
the great hunters. The stealth of the Cats, the endurance of the of the
Wolf, and the strength of the Bear. The Eagles are not part of the semi
cardinal points but nevertheless very important. The Eagle has great
vision, but more importantly when you pray, you pray into the smoke of
the sacred fire. The smoke from the fire carries your prayers into the
sky, the Eagle it is said will fly into the smoke and catch your prayer
and deliver it to the Great Spirit. The white feathers of the Bald
Eagle are tipped with black. It is said, this happened because the Bald
Eagle was the messenger to the Great Spirit. He had to take the prayer
to the other side of! the sun. When he delivered the prayer his
feathers were singed by the fire of the sun as proof that he was the
messenger of the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit said, " You are my
messenger and the whole world shall see that I have kissed your tail
feathers as proof that you are indeed my messenger.
The Pawnee set the Mountain Lion to the northeast, the Wolf
to the Southeast, the Bobcat to the Southwest and the Bear to the
Northwest. The cats are said to guard the primal female presence and
were put into the ski as the Evening Star. The Wolf was also put in the
ski as the Red Star or Wolf Star. The Red Star is to symbolize the
color of the Red Wolf. These animals were held in high esteem by these
primitive hunters.
The Wolf is an important part of tribal, ceremonial,
individual life but the wolf was nevertheless was regarded as "other"
by our native brothers. The wolf is never to be confused with his
domesticated cousin the dog. The dog and the wolf are poles apart. The
wolf had great powers given to him by the Great Spirit. The wolf it is
said could change into a man and help a man out that was in trouble.
The Sioux word for wolf is Skunkmanitu Tonka, (The animal that looks
like a dog but has a powerful spirit).
Native Americans probably had three different breeds of
dogs. They continued to breed these dogs to each other. Dogs were used
for: their hair for weaving, their flesh among some tribes for food.
They were used to pull travois and sleds, to pack food, panniers, and
firewood, and to hunt game. These dogs were not pets. Any dog that
proved to be a nuisance by getting into food catches or digging under
tepees were quickly dispatched.
Crossing wolves and dogs would produce hybrids that were
headstrong and dangerous, so Native Americans rarely tried this. Dogs
several generations removed from the cross proved to be gentle,
obedient, intelligent, and very hardy, but Native Americans were not
interested in this kind of special breeding. More fundamentally, dogs
and wolves were poles apart, and it was not deemed appropriate to mix
them. The wolf has a soul in Nunamuite Eskimo eyes: not so their sled
dogs. The wolf is an integral part of many religious ceremonies, the
dog would be unceremoniously kicked out of any ceremonial lodge.
The Sioux men used to sing songs while they traveled. These
were short songs of encouragement or songs about a lover or in praise
of past deeds. These were collectively called wolf traveling songs by
the Cheyenne. Such songs usually came to a warriors in their dreams. A
warrior may also sing to call the wolves in song to eat the flesh of
their enemies after a battle. A warrior may compare himself to a wolf.
A wolf it is said has changed himself into human form to warn young men
of dangers, where to find food, and what plants heal, and have the most
nourishment.
Here is an example of one of the songs that was sung by a Sioux, Weasel Bear:
A Wolf I consider myself
But the owls are hooting
At daybreak I roam and the night I fear
Awake to who is following me
I roam At daybreak
I roam At daybreak
I roam Shivers coming up my spine
I roam Eyes in back of my head
I roam.
Information and photos used with
permission from Running Wolf, my good friend & family member. All
photos and information are copyright protected. For permission to use
photos and/or information, or for further information on Running Wolf's
shelter please email her Running Wolf |
 
Music "Wolf Cry"
Gingers Midis
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