Canyon Records | bear Medicinewalker

February 24, 2016

February 24, 2016 Totem Card of the Day – 3 Card Pull!

So today “Spirit” says lets shake it up a bit by sharing 3 cards with everyone, and then lets see if they listen or not.

The first card that drops is intertwined with our Spiritual needs and is the Eagle! Today is all about taking care of the spiritual side of things that we all may be neglecting because we are so caught up in the world around us. The Eagle soars close to Creator and brings us the message to not only take time… but to MAKE time to feed our spiritual self. We all need to remember this is important to our health and balance. It is not merely enough to talk the talk, we must ALL walk the walk. Stay strong within our own Sacred Hoops by remembering to honor ourselves and all things Sacred!

Squirrel stops in to chatter in my ears today to tell us to tend to our Own needs and houses. Stop looking at everyone else’s and clean up our own messes! Set our own lives to order is the task that Squirrel is reminding us to do as he parades past us with the Eagle! Gather the tools and wisdom you need to get that task done and then move forward in positives, leaving the clutter and negatives behind you to filter through the compost pile to be birthed to positives at another time. Squirrel reminds us… Release, Recycle, Renew!

Then the Bear steps up to remind us we need to rest, to allow our souls to do all of the above and more! Honor those directions! Honor all that is Sacred! Learn to walk on our paths and enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed. Look at even the smallest joys, miracles… for they are all part of the great world we live in. Take time to appreciate what we already have, rather than plundering what we truly don’t need at the moment. All in it’s perfect time, with Faith and patience the Bear reminds us we have got this walk on this good road we are living.

Eagle speaks to us of our spiritual paths. I have been taught that the Eagle can fly to the heavens, that its wings can be touched by God Creator. When in it’s presence I feel the Grace of the Creator and All that is Sacred. The Eagle humbles me.

Teaching us to reflect and pause, to rejoice and reconnect to our spirits. To honor our paths, the ethics we have been taught. To Pray, to honor to live in a sacred manner. To listen to our Ancestors that have walked before us and in doing so listen to the wisdoms that have been shared so that we can walk more positive paths. Eagles the symbol of Courage and strength, to do … to walk… the right manner. To take that courage and step into what you re meant to step to in a positive way, and allowing our spirits to soar to the heights to share in God Creator’s extended grace.

Eagles with their sharp eyesight take us to the heights to observe situations in a manner that is more beneficial for us to make clear decisions. To become that visionary and push ourselves to discover and accept self, to accept truths, adapting , changing and growing along the way. The medicine Eagle shares is, the ability to connect to the Divine, a power of God Creator. Being able to place one foot into the spirit realm and yet remain connected and balanced with Mother Earth. So Honor your Spirit today and everyday by connecting with the Sacredness around you!

Squirrel reminds us today of one major lesson and that is to remember always that “We reap what we have sown.” No matter how hard sometimes we try to forget our part in something, a relationship that has hit a bump in the road or a job issue that you are struggling at, or something positive like many blessings showing up at your door, the outcomes always have an imprint from us as it traveled around and back to us. Why we ask? The Squirrel replies, “Because we are all related!”

It also tells us to prepare for change, for if we are working hard to achieve something it will undoubtedly involve change of some kind, and often we forget that part and are caught unprepared. Squirrel also reminds us that through the changes things that no longer serve us, people that no longer are on the same path as us may get lost from us on the way. But we need to remember that they all had purpose and honor whatever lesson or purpose that may have been, and discard any of them including worries, stress and thoughts as you walk forward. Squirrel teaches us that we need to be resourceful at times in order to manifest what we need. Don’t attempt to do to many things at once, rather try and keep a healthy balance between work and play it helps our mental states stay healthy.

Make sure we are paying attention to opportunity that may present itself, share and play nice with others, but to remember in doing so to not forget to take care of ourselves in that process. So break out of your shell today and take care of what you need to , whether that is play or work… but always with a positive breath!

Bear is all about fertility (creative and manifestation), instinct, protection and solitude. Those that walk with Bear are often somewhat reclusive requiring a great deal of personal space to renew and create. Bear people will often “disconnect” for awhile as they pursue projects becoming deeply involved in what they are working on. Deeply protective and territorial, Bear also is extremely loyal and dependable. Bear teaches us when healing of any sort is needed to use that time for introspective work in order to grow Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally and find answers to problems within yourself. Travel deep into your soul find the purpose in your own path and journey and walk ahead in positive steps.

Bear shares with us that in this time hibernation is not only good but needed, yet respect our natural hibernation cycle and remember to reawaken in the spring, in doing so awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind. Bear teaches us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive, and perhaps a time for both in balance.

“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing the Native culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Mitakuye O’yasin
~bear Medicinewalker

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

“Coyote Jump “Lightning Drum” available through http://canyonrecords.com/shop/

October 28, 2015

Indian Paintbrush as Shared by bear Medicinewalker

Long ago lived a young Indian Boy who was born crippled. He longed to play as young boys should, yet he could not. His legs did not work the way the other young boys of his age did. He could not ride the beautiful horses of the fields, nor could he run in the meadows with his Sisters and brothers.

His spirit was low. He felt useless as he watched his family go through their daily chores, unable to help. And he felt even more of a burden for they had to assist him with so many things he could not accomplish by himself. Soon with determination, he learned to fish if someone could carry him to the river. He also began to help his Mother grind the corn into flour. But he wanted to do more, much more.

One day in the late summer sun, his Mother decided that the family should go on a picnic. As they sat smelling the sweetgrass, listening to the winged ones, and watching the clouds dance in the sky, the young brave prayed to the Creator.

“Father,” he prayed. “Please show me how to be useful to my people. I cannot hunt for game or plant corn to feed them. I don’t do enough to help them. Please show me the path I am to walk.” He patiently waited to be shown an answer, yet none came. He was again saddened fearing that Creator felt he was not worthy of an honorable path.

After some time had passed, his Mother watched her son, and her heart hurt for this gentle boy. Hoping to change his mood she decided to return to the meadow to connect with the Great Mother in hopes something would change for her young Son.

When they arrived, they found something new among the tall sweetgrass. Growing in the clearing exactly where the Young Brave had called to Creator for a sign, grew a beautiful and unusual small red flower.

Turning to his Mother he looked at her puzzled, “What kind of flower is this Mother?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen a flower like this before,” as she looked out in amazement at the field splashed with little flecks of red dancing in the gentle breeze. Be fore the day was done they gathered some of the flowers and took them back to the village, certain that one of their Elders would be able to tell them what it was. Still, no one recognized the flower at all.

Excited they returned to the meadow, and they looked out at the field and saw that the number of flowers had doubled. “They are so beautiful!” cried the young brave. “I just wish we knew what they were called.”

As the seasons passed, the Young Brave made many trips to the meadow. Each time he went, more of the red flowers could be found. One day, he decided to draw a picture of the flower in hopes of capturing its beauty. He carefully sketched the plant and found that he had captured its shape and detail. But he was not happy with the drawings.

As he sat there pondering what to do, a deer wandered into the meadow. It grazed on the sweetgrass occasionally looking up at the Young Brave as he kept drawing.

“What’s wrong Young One?” the deer asked. “Why do you look so sad?”

“I cannot capture the true color of this flower in my drawing. It is so beautiful, but the dye I make from our berries is too purple, and when I mix water with the red earth for paint, the color is too brown.”

“Why do you not just use the flower? Wouldn’t it make the red color for you?”

The Brave looked up at the deer in astonishment, “I never thought of that.” He reached down and picked up the flower, dipped it into the water and brushed it across his paper. To his amazement, what it left behind was the perfect shade of red coloring.

The brave took his picture back to the village and presented it to the Chief. It was perfect. They asked him how he get the coloring so perfect. “I used this,” and he showed them one of the flowers. “It’s like a paintbrush.”

“Then that is what we will call it,” the Chief declared. “It shall be The Red Indian Paintbrush.”

From that time on, it was called Indian Paintbrush, and only that. The Young Brave had found his path, becoming a remarkable craftsman, painting pictures, pottery, and other items and selling them to help his people attain the things they needed to flourish within the village. Donating the profits to those less fortunate than him, for he had come to realize that although he had no legs, he was still useful. The Creator had indeed answered his prayers with a simple red flower called “Indian Paintbrush”

Mitakuye O`yasin

~ bear Medicinewalker

Coyote Jump-Lightning Drum available at http://www.canyonrecords.com

October 13, 2015April 25, 2016

The story of the Sweat Lodge as shared by bear Medicinewalker

The following story speaks of the sweat lodge as the powerful friend and leader of the “Animal People.” Long ago, in the days of the Animal People, Sweat Lodge foresaw the coming of Human Beings, inhabitants of the Earth. So one day he called all the Animal People together to give each one a name and to tell him his duties. In Council, Sweat Lodge stood and spoke,

“We have lived on Earth for a long while, but we shall not be in our present condition much longer. A different People are coming to live here. We must part from each other and go to different places. Each of you must decide whether you wish to belong to the Four Leggeds, Winged Ones, Creepers or Swimmers. You all may make your own choice.”

Sweat Lodge turned to Elk, “You will be first, Elk. What do you wish to be?”

“I wish to be what I am an Elk.”

“Let us see how you run or gallop,” said Sweat Lodge. So the Elk galloped off in a graceful manner, and returned. “You are right,” decided Sweat Lodge. “You are of the Four Leggeds” With that said, Elk galloped off, taking his place on the Earth.

Sweat Lodge called to Eagle next, asking what Eagle wanted to be. Eagle replied, “Just what I am an Eagle, a Winged One.”

“Let us all witness you fly,” replied Sweat Lodge. Eagle flew, rising higher and higher the winds gently ruffling his outstretched wings. Sweat Lodge called him back and said, “You are correct, you are an Eagle. You will be king over all the Winged Ones. You will soar in the Sky among the Sacred Winds. You will live among the highest Mountains. Humans will admire you.” With that, Eagle flew away happy. Everyone watched him disappear
into the Sky.

“I wish to be like Eagle,” the Blue jay told Sweat Lodge. Sweat Lodge said again, “Then let us see you fly.” Blue jay tried to imitate the easy, graceful flight of Eagle, but could not keep his balance and was soon flapping his wings. Sweat Lodge called him back. “A Jay is a Jay. You will have to be content as you are.”

When Bear came forward, Sweat Lodge said, “You will be known among Human Beings as a very fierce Animal and strong Hunter. People will fear you. You walk as with the Four Leggeds”. With that said, Bear went off to the woods and has since been known as a fierce animal.

Then to all walking creatures, except Coyote, and to all flying creatures, to all Four Leggeds, Winged Ones, Snakes, Frogs, Turtles and Fish, Sweat Lodge gave names, and the creatures scattered.

After they were gone, Sweat Lodge called Coyote to him and said, “You have been wise and cunning. You have been a man to be feared. When this Earth becomes like the air, empty and void, your name shall last forever. The new Human Beings who come will hear your name and say, ‘Yes, Coyote was great in his time. Now, what is it you wish to be?”

“I have long lived as a Coyote,” he replied. “I want to be noble like Eagle, Elk or Cougar.” So Sweat Lodge decided to let him show what he could do. First, Coyote tried his best to fly like Eagle, but could only jump around, this way and that. Then he tried to run as Elk. He succeeded for a short distance, but soon ran as he always had. “You look exactly like yourself, Coyote,” laughed Sweat Lodge. “You are a Coyote.” Coyote ran off howling, to all those that could hear. Before he ran out of sight he stopped, turning his head standing just as a coyote.

Sweat Lodge, left alone, spoke to himself: “All now are gone, and the new People will be coming soon. When they arrive they should find something to give them strength and power. I will place myself upon the ground, for the use of Human Beings who are to come. Whoever visits me now and then, to him I will give power. He will become great in war and great in peace. He will have success in fishing and in hunting. To all who come to me for protection, I will give strength and power.”

Sweat Lodge spoke as he gently lay down on his hands and knees and waited for the first People. He has lain that way ever since and has given power to all who sought it from him.

This is how it was shared to me by an Ojibwa Elder, as I now share with you all….

Mitakuye O`yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker

Swirling Smoke from Pathway to Destiny: Songs of Healing and Contemplation by Louie Gonnie available at

January 11, 2015

the Story of the Sleeping Bear Dunes as shared by bear Medicinewalker

Welcome to all my relations as I call to the Sacred Winds to carry my words, to the Grandmothers and Grandfathers of all Directions. I ask that in this time and space, you allow me to speak with the Wisdom’s and Knowledge of the old ways. Allow your stories and the lessons that they bring to be taught for those who need to hear. I honor you and thank you for answering the call… aho

Good day to you all. I invite you to get comfortable and take a walk with a bear. Today we speak of stories and legends that have been passed down through time.

Legends are stories about people …a place…or sometimes even an animal that is created to explain an event or occurrence so that it may be passed down to other generations as a lesson or record. Most are spun in fiction, not entirely true…however the mere fact that a legend is passed from one generation to the next has a sense of mystery and magic.

So with that in mind, I tell you a story that was passed to me, throughout the generations.

It is the Story of Sleeping Bear Dunes…

Before time was time, before man walked the forests, there was a mighty lake. Its vastness spread across the shores, untouched raw beauty as it’s waves tickled the ever stretching forests. Wildlife was plentiful and the nights stretched as the day was long.

In one such forest close to the edge of the Great Lake, lived a Mother Bear. Her coat was dense and thick …colored blacker than the night. She had large soft eyes that showed pure joy as she watched her two young cubs frolic and play. The little family lived a life among the wildflowers and green pastures and forests, along the shoreline of this Great lake.

Every morning they were awakened by nature’s choir that stirred as Father Sun rose to the sky to greet the day. Their daily travels took them throughout the forests, meadows and the rich streams that flowed over the Great Mother. Stopping only to acknowledge the gentle deer that crossed the path. Mother bear would stop and encourage her young cubs to play in the water, and then to be ever so patient as to reach in and grab a fish as it shimmered in the stream for lunch. Always thanking and honoring the great circle of life, and only taking what was needed for the day. She taught them well. When they would finish it was time to nap in the lazy afternoons, and just enjoy Father Sun’s warmth on their shoulders.

After waking from a long and restful nap they would stroll along the long shoreline of the Great Lake, that had no beginning and had no end…playing in the waves as they cascaded over the sandy beaches. Learning to simply be, and connecting with each other and the very life around them. Then as the long days would draw to a close, the Mother bear would gather the cubs and take them back to the cave for a night of rest. Lying in a nurturing mother’s embrace, they would gently fall asleep.

One afternoon as they were about themselves, a storm rolled in. The thunder was deafening and the lightning was bold. Mother bear stood up looking around her and sniffing at the air. A nervous tension settled in as the silence was broken for the sounds of crackling and the dark sky turned to a fiery glow. Fire!

She felt a surge of panic, grabbing her small cubs and urging them to hurry they headed towards the Great lake. Running alongside them were the wolves, the deer and all the forest dwellers all heading the same way…

Diving to the water she called to the cubs to follow. Urging them deeper, to save them she guided them to the other side. They followed their Mother without question, the waves that washed over them were strong and cold. Looking back she saw she was loosing sight of them, continually calling out to them, so they would follow Her through the wind and waves. All through the night they swam…yet they were falling farther and farther behind. Mother bear was worried.

Night time fell upon them. The sky was dark and glittered with stars and the light from Sister Moon, and still she swam on…listening to the night sounds of howling wolves, the cry of the night owls, all urging her to continue. Mother bear kept looking back, and her eyes grew weary as Father Sun began once again to rise across the sky…

Looking back once more to see her cubs, she realized they were no longer there. She came upon the shore and collapsed into the soft sands. The land seemed strange to her as she placed her weary wet paws into it. There were hills that rolled forever and sand all around. After resting a short while she began to pace along the surf, looking out towards the water for her cubs. Crying out in a roar as her eyes filled with tears.

Calling to the cubs pacing …pacing…she climbed to the top of the highest hill and looked out over the water that was deep and dark, yet there was no sign of her cubs.
She let out a cry again, calling to them …echoing out over the waters dark deep blanket.

Mother bear sat and waited…she watched Father Sun come and go as the seasons passed and the flowers bloomed…she sat and watched, as the swallows nested and then taught their young to fly. She sat and waited as the Sweet Grass grew green and turned to the golden colors of the fall…

She waited and watched while the leaves fell from the trees and the air grew cold bringing with it the white blanket of snow that caused all to rest. She watched and waited, but her cubs never reached the shore. Soon she fell fast asleep in a slumber of sorrow…

Years passed by and the Great lake gently blew over her caressing her and keeping her warm with blankets of sand while she slept in that slumber. And in time the Great Mother felt her sadness as her own. Realizing the Mother bear’s great love for her cubs. In honor of that Love the Great Mother called upon the Sacred Winds to bring the cubs near the shore, raising them from within the depths to create two islands full of beauty and lushness, placing them forever within the watchful eyes of their Mother Bear.

The cubs stand to this day, time where there is no time as the North and South Manitou Islands. Happy to be near their Mother once again, they stand in tribute to their Mother bears love. With the shimmering water shining while Father Sun looks down upon them with pride.

I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing the Native culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth.

Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…

Mitakuye O`yasin,

bear Medicinewalker

One Who Sees performed by Award Winning Pow Wow Group Bear Creek from their XI CD available at http://canyonrecords.com/shop/

https://bearmedicinewalker.com/bear-medicinewalker-the-sacred-hoop-project-2015/

January 8, 2015March 26, 2017

Code of Ethics as Taught to Me by My Elders

Over the years, the following words have stayed with me. I will be the first to admit it is not an easy path to walk, but like you all…
I am human too. So it is good to remind yourself often of the important things, the things we need to do, the way we need to walk. If we expect others to be and do better then we must help to guide them through example, through understanding, through the unconditional.
For we hold the power within each of us, the power to Change the World.

So with that thought…check egos at the door as we walk the code together.

Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if
you only speak

Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger,
jealousy – and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find
guidance.

Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path
for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no
one can walk it for you.

Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best
food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and
honor

Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the
wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not
yours.

Respect all things that are placed upon this earth – whether it be
people or plant.

Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or
mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal
expression.

Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into
the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice
optimism.

Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly
family.

Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and
water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to
grow.

Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return
to you.

Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this
universe.

Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and
Physical self – all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the
body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional
ails.

Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be
responsible for your own actions.

Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the
personal property of others – especially sacred and religious objects. This is
forbidden.

Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot
nurture and help yourself first.

Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on
others.

Share your good fortune with others.

So keep that list close, remind yourselves each day…and always remember you are not alone for we
all walk the same way, one footstep at a time.

Mitakuye O`yasin,

bear Medicinewalker

“Old Memories” performed by Young Spirit and is available on “Save Me a Lead” at our friends Canyon Records and http://www.canyonrecords.com/shop/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=CR-6511

https://bearmedicinewalker.com/bear-medicinewalker-the-sacred-hoop-project-2015/

I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth.

Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…

Mig`wetch,

~ bear Medicinewalker

February 28, 2014January 13, 2016

Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun

In the beginning there was only blackness, no one could see anything. People kept walking into each other and stumbling around blindly. Soon they gathered to discuss the problem, “What we all need is to be able to see.” They all agreed but were not sure what to do, they needed to find light.

Fox said he knew others on the other side of the world who had plenty of light, but they were too greedy to share it with anyone. Possum said he would be glad to steal a little of it. “I have a bushy tail, I could hide the light inside all that fur.” It was agreed and decided he could try to get some light for them all, so he set out for the other side of the world. There he found the sun hanging in a tree and lighting everything up. He quietly crept over to the sun taking from it a tiny piece of light and stuffing it into his tail. But the light was too hot and it burned all his fur. Soon the people discovered his theft and took back the light, and ever since, Possum’s tail has been bald.

“I will try,” said Buzzard. “I know better than to hide a piece of stolen light in my tail, I will place it on the top of my head.” He flew to the other side of the world and swooped straight into the sun seizing it with his claws. He then placed it on his head, where it proceeded to burn all his head feathers off. The people seeing him on fire and trying to steal what was theirs, grabbed the sun away from him, and ever since that time Buzzard’s head has remained bald.

Grandmother Spider said, “I will try!” So she set about the task of making a thick walled pot out of clay. Next she spun a web reaching all the way to the other side of the world. The fact that Grandmother Spider was so small, none of the people in the village of the sun even saw her coming. Quickly Grandmother Spider snatched up the sun and placed it in the bowl of clay carrying it back home along one of the strong strands of her web. Now her side of the world had light, and everyone rejoiced.

Grandmother Spider brought not only the sun to the Cherokee, but fire with it and she taught the Cherokee people the art of making pottery.

“Join Me as I continue the Sacred Hoop Project into this Year 2016…the year of Truths!”

“Coyote Jump-Lightning Drum” available at http://www.canyonrecords.com

Tag: Canyon Records

February 24, 2016 Totem Card of the Day – 3 Card Pull!

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Indian Paintbrush as Shared by bear Medicinewalker

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The story of the Sweat Lodge as shared by bear Medicinewalker

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the Story of the Sleeping Bear Dunes as shared by bear Medicinewalker

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Code of Ethics as Taught to Me by My Elders

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Grandmother Spider Steals the Sun

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