Murray
Knowledge Keeper
“The yellow bird appeared as we were watching fire for a brother who was sitting out on a four-day fast. The bird kept showing up listening to us as we kept fire. We sang songs, told stories of our life experiences. Yellow bird would come and go. He seemed to be taking our songs and prayers to Wakan Tanka , creator. Yellow bird is Wakan, sacred. How we know this is when our brother broke his fast he told us of what he experienced. He was visited by many who live in the spirit world but one who frequently checked on him was zitgata zee, yellow bird”.
Creation
“I met them through this journey. And we’re just close you know? And we treat each other with respect, dignity, simple as that. There is no “I’m better than you” No none of that, not in this world. This photo shows the relationship-building that the group is responsible for. This is a photo of renewing the sweat lodge. It's always done to help renew the lodge before a new season of ceremony. The lodge isn't the only one renewed currently, but we also receive renewal from the act of helping provide for the Oyate. People. We believe one is never alone, the ancestors are always with us. Thus, we receive blessings in the form of laughter, joy, and a sense of belonging to our community, our Oyate.”
It speaks for itself
“You know, to me, it speaks for itself, if you have its meaning. And that’s knowledge again, you know, and that’s what the walk is about, it is about enlightenment. Letting people know that there are problems out there that must be addressed in a bigger way.”