We recognize that the sacred ways of our ancestors call us to remember the interconnectedness of all life, guiding us to walk the path of spiritual awakening led by Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit. We feel the springs of divine bestowal flowing through us, like the sacred waters of life gifted by our Creator, which cleanse us of the distractions of the material world and invite us to seek our true home in the heart of the Great Mystery.
The fire that 'consumes all material veils,' kindled by the hand of our Creator, is the Sacred Fire that represents the spirit of truth, wisdom, justice, compassion, forgiveness, and knowledge. We feel its comforting warmth and guiding light within us, knowing that it clears the ignorance and heaviness that weighs on our hearts. Just as the Sun, the Great Fire in the sky, brings life and light to all creation, this fire within also guides us toward the light of inner understanding.
We understand that we see the true spiritual reality not with our physical eyes but with the eyes of our spirit. Like an eagle soaring high, seeing the whole landscape with sharp vision, we must lift our spirits to behold the broader, spiritual view. With the ear of inner understanding, we listen deeply, as our ancestors did, seeking guidance from Wakan Tanka through prayer and communion with our spirit.
The Beloved, the Great Spirit, is not distant from us. Our Creator, the Maker of All Good Things, is near, closer than our breath. We are in communion with Wakan Tanka, walking the path of balance, harmony, respect, and reciprocity. We understand that this connection is the source of true harmony, and it is in this relationship that we find everlasting peace.
We know that forsaking the world does not mean rejecting Mother Earth but releasing our attachment to the material desires that cloud our vision. We are called to live in harmony with Mother Earth, to respect her gifts, and to recognize that everything we have belongs to the Creator. The true richness lies not in material possessions but in the spiritual wealth that comes from living by sacred laws—respect, love, generosity, justice, forgiveness, and kinship with all beings. This connection with Mother Earth is not just a belief but a responsibility we all share.
We affirm that our deeds must follow our words. In our Dakota way, we know that words carry the power of spirit, and to speak truth is to align ourselves with the Creator. But we also know that words without action are empty.
We must live the teachings of our ancestors, embody the virtues of bravery, humility, justice, compassion, and truthfulness, and act in service to others, especially those in need. Through our deeds, we honor the Creator and fulfill our sacred purpose as caretakers of Mother Earth and all our relations.
We recognize the dangers of following those who lead us into the world of materialism and the senses, and we hold close the wisdom of our ancestors, who teach that true leaders walk the Red Road, living in harmony with the Seven Sacred Laws—respect, Love, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth.
We know that the real spiritual guide has freed themselves from the bonds of materialism and power and speaks from the heart, with words full of spirit and truth.
We see ourselves as trees rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors, growing toward the light of spiritual truth. The fruit of our lives—our deeds, relationships, and contributions to the community—is the measure of our spiritual journey. We tend to our spirits, nourishing them with the sacred waters of spiritual knowledge to bear good fruit and lead lives of purpose and meaning.
We return to the sacred as we open our inner eyes and listen with our inner ears. We remember that the real journey is not outward but inward, into our hearts, where Wakan Tanka speaks to us. The Great Spirit is always near, waiting for us to turn away from the distractions of the material world and listen to the voice that guides us on the path of wisdom, love, and unity.
We walk this path with courage and humility, guided by the eternal flame of spiritual truth that Wakan Tanka has kindled in our hearts. We remember that we are all related, all part of the sacred hoop of life, and that our ultimate destination is not a place but a state of being—one of harmony, unity, and peace with the Creator, with each other, and with all of creation.
Shunkmanu Me Yedo! Chanupa Sapa He Me Yedo!
Hinhan Wicasta/Deloria Tiospaye, Hinhan Wicasta/Deloria Tiospaye, Ihanktonwan, and Chickasaw Nations
