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We are a confederate member of the
Quinnipiac Tribal Council, Inc.
(Wah Negonnijek Quinnipeokke Wohpnetewunk
Wache Wetompaddawunk
The ancient Quinnipiac Bond of the Covenant
                  
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THE IROQUOIS THANKSGIVING ADDRESS
"Ohenton Kariwahtekwen"
~*~
The People ~*~
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of
life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and
harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our
minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as
People.
Now our minds are one.
~*~
The Earth Mother ~*~
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for
she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we
walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us
as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send
greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one
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~*~
The Waters ~*~
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for
quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We
know its power in many forms-- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams,
rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the
spirit Water.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Fish ~*~
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water.
They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give
themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure
water. So, we turn now to the fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
~*~
The Plants ~*~
Now we turn towards the vast fields of Plant life.
As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They
sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give
thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to
come.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Food Plants ~*~
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the
Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time,
the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people
survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We
gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting
and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Medicine Herbs ~*~
Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world.
From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They
are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still
among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for
healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines
and to the keepers of the Medicines
Now our minds are one.
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~*~
The Animals ~*~
We gather our minds together to send greetings and
thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to
teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep
forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will
always be so.
Now our minds are one
*****
~*~
The Trees
~*~
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has
many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some
provide us with shelter and shade, other with fruit, beauty and other
useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of
peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the tree of
life.
Now our minds are one
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~*~
The Birds ~*~
We put our minds together as one and thank all the
Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them
beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life.
The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-- from the
smallest to the largest--we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one
*****
~*~
The Four Winds ~*~
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the
Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us
and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of
seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messengers
and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and
thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one
*****
~*~
The Thunders ~*~
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the
Thunder Beings, live. With lightening and thundering voices, they
bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds
together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the
Thunders.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Sun
~*~
We now send the greetings and thanks to our eldest
Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east
to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the
fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our
Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
~*~
Grandmother Moon ~*~
We put our minds together and give thanks to our
oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the
leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of
the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the
Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Stars
~*~
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across
the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to
light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things.
When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered
together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
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~*~
The Enlightened Teachers ~*~
We gather our minds to greet and thank the
enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When
we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were
instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and
thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
The Creator
~*~
We turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit,
and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we
need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love
that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our
choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
*****
~*~
Closing Words ~*~
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words.
Of all the things we have named, it was not our intent to leave anything
out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send
such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
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