Keepers of the Earth
Medicine Woman
Medicine Woman as told by Red Feather Woman
Some of the oral stories Red Feather Woman tells
Keepers of the Earth [Listen]
By Red Feather Woman copyright 1997
We are the keepers of the Earth
A heritage given to us through birth
Creator took us by the hand and said
“This is our land.”
One day my journey took me far
And what I saw, left with me a scar
The air so full of dirt and smog
My brother the bird, could not sing their song.
We are the Keepers of the Earth
A heritage given to us through birth
Creator took us by the hand and said,
“This is our land.”
And as I flew through the air
And tried not be despaired
I watched the rivers fail to flow
And my brother’s the fish, with no place to go.
We are the Keepers of the Earth
A heritage given to us through birth
Creator took us by the hand and said,
“This is our land.”
As I watched the tears form in his eyes
The elder spoke of a land he knew as a child
He cried to the youth it is up to you
To help our people and see our Mother Earth through
Because…
We are the Keepers of the Earth
A heritage given to us through birth
Creator took us by the hand and said,
“This is our land.”
Top of Page
Medicine Woman [Listen]
Copyright 1992 written by Rose Red Elk Hardman
Once I knew a medicine Woman
And I knew her well.
We would sit by the fire and listen to the stories she would tell.
Soar through the sky she and only I
Passed by the stars so bright
She would give me her light.
Once I knew a medicine woman
And I knew her well.
She would teach me about life
And her stories I would learn to tell.
As I grew from a child
Into a woman while
She taught me, and taught me well.
And time would only tell.
Bridge
If I would be a medicine woman
One as great as she
Would my medicine heal others?
Would I ever be?
Pure as the spring water
And know like all the others
Ancient, ancient ways
Of long ago days.
Now they say I’m a medicine woman
And my gifts I give to you
Give your thanks to the Creator
He works through me in all I do
Soar through the sky
You and only I
Pass by the stars so bright
I will give you my light.
Once I knew a medicine woman
Now they say I’m a medicine woman
Top of Page
Medicine Woman as told by Red Feather Woman
Most tribes have medicine people who help heal the sick and dress the wounds of those injured. This particular story is about a medicine woman of the Nez Perce tribe. My good friend, who is an elder of the Nez Perce tribe in Idaho, told me that I should tell this story, it is important and should be remembered.
A young boy asked his grandmother, Light Woman, where she got her powers. She was a well-known medicine woman of her tribe. He was always fascinated by what she could do to heal people. He watched her closely one day as she was preparing a tea for a sick friend.
“Grandmother, where do you get your powers?” Where do they come from, how did you learn all that you do?”
She paused and looked at her grandson. She replied, “Ok, grandson, I will tell you, and you must be quiet and listen now. What I am about to tell you is true and happened a long long time ago when I was only eight years old.”
It was springtime, and my mother told me that it she wanted to go up to the mountains and hunt for huckleberries. She said she also needed to find some special plants and flowers. So off we went on horseback. We road up the trails and soon came to a patch of huckleberries. I told my mom that we had found a great patch, but she said not this one, we should go up further.
It wasn’t long and we did come to even bigger huckleberry patch. I was really delighted. Mother stopped and said we could get off now. She told me I could eat all the berries I wanted.
I hopped off the horse and began to eat the berries. They were so good. My mother then told me that I should wait there. She had to go up the trail. She was looking for a plant. I didn’t worry. I began to eat the berries, enjoying the smell of the cedar and the juicy berries.
After a while, I noticed that it was growing darker and my mother had not returned. I grew frightened and heard the animals from a distance, and the wolves began to howl.
I grew more frightened and cried. I found a bush to hide in and cried myself to sleep.
The next morning when I woke up…I looked around to see if I could see my mother. She wasn’t anywhere to be found. I began to cry again. As I stood up and tried to figure out which way I should go to find my village, I noticed up the path a woman appeared. This woman was beautiful. Her hair was long and shinning and she had two small children with her. I thought it was strange that she would be out there in the wilderness where I was.
The lady spoke “Little girl? What are you doing out here all alone?” I answered. “I don’t know. My mother brought me up here to hunt for huckleberries and said she needed to go up a little higher to find some roots and plants. I haven’t seen her since.”
The lady didn’t look too surprised, replied. “Little girl, you shouldn’t be out here alone, come with us and I will take you back to your people.”
So we started back down the mountain. I was so excited to see other humans and I wasn’t frightened anymore. I clung to her dress, afraid to let go. The little children that were with her ran and played. She said something interesting to them. “Leave your sister alone.” I thought that was strange, since I didn’t even know who these children were.
As we walked down the path, I grew thirsty and wanted to stop by a brook to get a drink of water. I stooped down the get a drink and when I stood up I noticed that they were gone. I looked around and couldn’t see them anywhere. I began to cry again. I didn’t understand how they could have disappeared. Then I heard a voice “Light Woman, look up here.” I looked up and they were sitting on the ledge of mountain, was the lady and her two children. I climbed up to the ledge and she asked me to sit next to her. As she pulled me closer and placed her arm around me, she said. “Light Woman, it isn’t an accident that we are here and that your mother left you here. We have been watching you the whole time that you have been up here. We would never have let anything happen to you. I am not from your world. We are from the spirit side. I have things to tell you and to teach you and when you grow up and become a woman, you will start to remember the things you need to bring babies into the world. You will know what plants to gather to prepare for healing the sick and helping the wounded.
She began to teach and to tell me things I cannot repeat because they are sacred.
After a while we started back down the trail. When we got closer to my camp site, I turned to lady and her children but they had disappeared and in there place was a hugh mother grizzley and two cubs. The bear spoke to me and said get on my back and I will carry you the rest of the way.
So now you see where I get my powers Grandson. In our tribe, the woman is taught at a very young age to learn the medicine ways and it is the spirits who teach us. Now you also know that I never take money for my services. One can offer but I will not put a price on healing. Healing is a gift not a business.
Light Woman was 102 years old and continued to heal for many years afterward and passed down her knowledge to her granddaughters.
Top of Page
Some of the oral stories Red Feather Woman tells:
Medicine Wheel- a gift for all Nations
This story explains the Medicine Colors- which encompass colors of the nations of the world. Red, Black, Yellow and White. Each has a meaning and special gift. This story is a traditional story from the Plains Indians
Kinipik (dangers of gossip)
Kinipik is a snake and a trouble maker, when the earth was inhibited by only animals and all could understand each other, Kinipik stirred up all the animal people. This story tells what happens when one gossips about others, using the consequences gossip, Kinipik received his fork tongue.
Where the Wind comes from
NW tribe tale of Kluchibia a young curious boy and his adventure with a Giant Wind Eagle.
White Buffalo Calf Woman
Plains-traditional story of where the sacred pipe comes from, a gift from the Creator.
Star Man
how a young boy sought powers from the Red Star to help his family and his tribe.
Activity -Dance- Round Dance- if given time and the facility, I teach this simple dance. It is done at pow wows for social dance. Everyone gathers in a circle and dances to the drum. I bring a cassette or CD of the traditional drum music.
Top of Page
