Since soft autumn rains have fallen, the earth
has taken on a new sheen of green, a restful,
soft quietness. Yellows, bronzes, and russets begin to
color the woods, and woodbine torches the treetops
with brilliant reds and corals.
Across the valley the view is broadened to reveal
blue-gray hills like elephant humps parading along
the horizon. Smoke twirls up from brush cutting,
and from a chimney or two, the first show of smoke
from evening fires appears.
Fruit stands along side roads offer pumpkins in
all sizes, a few melons, and squashes in countless
colors and shapes. Harvest time, the season of abun-
dance, is here. The busyness of the growing season
now begins to slow. The gentle pace of autumn
quiets us and helps us walk in serenity and peace.

Can you no longer dally?
-TECUMSEH, SHAWNEE

By: Joyce Sequichie Hifler

The many moons and sunny days we
have lived here will long be remem-
bered by us. The Great Spirit has smiled
upon us and made us glad. But we
have agreed to go. We go to a country
we know little of. Our home will be
beyond a great river on the way to the
setting sun. We will build our wigwams
there in another land . . . The men we
leave here in possession of these lands
cannot say Keokuk or his people ever
took up a tomahawk . . . In peace we
bid you goodbye . . .If you come see us,
we will gladly welcome you.

-KEOKUK, A SAUK TRIBAL LEADER,
WHO SIGNED A NUMBER OF TREATIES WITH THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT GIVING IT VARIOUS
TRACTS OF LAND IN EXCHANGE FOR RESERVATION
LAND AND NECESSITIES FOR HIS PEOPLE. THIS
SPEECH WAS GIVEN WHEN HIS PEOPLE WERE
TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO RELOCATE WEST OF
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, SEPTEMBER 26, 1833.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day September 20

“You will only get back what you give out.” –Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE

The Great Spirit created a system of balance and justice. This law says, if you treat others with respect, you will be treated with respect. If you gossip about no one, no one will gossip about you. If you are fair in all of your dealings, you can expect the same. If you share with others, others will share with you. If you judge others, others will judge you. You will always get back what you give out. The original teaching talks about being a giving person. A giving person will constantly be on the receiving end.

My Creator, help me to be a giving person today.

By: Don Coyhis

Artwork By Lane Kendrick

A miracle is something we don't have to ex-
plain. We don't have to explain where refresh-
ing springs form or how the sparkling notes of
birdsong come to be. We don't have to ask what
causes the rippling laughter of a baby or what
makes a shady lane so blissfully peaceful. Little mir-
acles are endless: the healing of a memory, the dis-
appearance of pain, a special spot of sunshine, or an
answer to prayers.
Even we are miracles. We humans are a complex
combination of experiences, attitudes, and gifts, and
we always possess the capacity for greater things.
More exists in us and for us than we can see or
understand. That means the potential for more mir-
acles is always present in our lives. We can take that
potential and mold it, and remold it, to gain some-
thing eternal.

I am bringing something so the people will live.
-WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN, HIDATSA

By: Joyce Sequichie Hifler