When You Stand in the Sacred Hoop of the People
Friend, do it this way.
When you stand in the Sacred Hoop of the People,
You must be responsible
Because you do not stand-alone.
Many others stand behind you,
Depending on you, praying for your success.
Not only your living relatives but, also
Those who have gone on to the spiritual world
And those who are yet unborn;
All of these stand with you.
And so when you stand in the Sacred Hoop of the People,
You must be responsible.
And when you have a need and want to serve the People
You must ask for what you need
With a pure heart before the Creator.
And when you ask what you need to serve the People,
You must have no trace of doubt
That what you have asked
Will be given to you
According to your needs.
Then exactly as you have asked,
That is the way it will be.
Ihanktowan Dakota Elder, Mato Gi, Brown Bear, Phil Lane Sr.
Born January 14, 1914, in Wakpala, South Dakota, Died March 29, 2004, Walla Walla, Wash.
