Oneida Opening Prayer

The People were very strong in The People were very strong in their beliefs and their ways.their beliefs and their ways.

Our Mother Earth takes care of Our Mother Earth takes care of all lives.all lives.

Grass carpets the Earth.Grass carpets the Earth.

Strawberries are good medicine Strawberries are good medicine that helps all the people.that helps all the people.

Tobacco the head of all Tobacco the head of all medicines here on Earth.medicines here on Earth.

Three sisters are the leaders of Three sisters are the leaders of all foods here on Earth.all foods here on Earth.

Medicines here on Earth were Medicines here on Earth were left for all Oneida and other left for all Oneida and other

Indian benefits.Indian benefits.

Deer here were left they are Deer here were left they are the head of all animals and the head of all animals and

also the reason here they stay also the reason here they stay to help the Oneida.to help the Oneida.

Maple they gave us for syrup a Maple they gave us for syrup a medicine in the spring to give medicine in the spring to give

thanks for all the trees.thanks for all the trees.

Water they give us strength Water they give us strength also a good life. Water gives also a good life. Water gives

us strength to live.us strength to live.

The winds bring the changing The winds bring the changing of the seasons.of the seasons.

Birds their songs they use to lift Birds their songs they use to lift our minds when we are sad.our minds when we are sad.

The Thunders wakes up here on Earth The Thunders wakes up here on Earth spring it brings the warm winds for all spring it brings the warm winds for all

things to grow.things to grow.

Our Grandmother, the Moon has Our Grandmother, the Moon has charge of women’s needs.charge of women’s needs.

Our eldest brother the sun helps us Our eldest brother the sun helps us for all things to grow whatever our for all things to grow whatever our foods for our survival. He gives us foods for our survival. He gives us light to be able then to work every light to be able then to work every

day.day.

The stars give us light so that we don’t The stars give us light so that we don’t get lost also tells us when it’s that get lost also tells us when it’s that time to give thanks to the winter.time to give thanks to the winter.

Four Messengers they give us Four Messengers they give us guidance how all that became of one guidance how all that became of one

same mind (same thinking).same mind (same thinking).

The One who made all things that we The One who made all things that we are thankful here on earth.are thankful here on earth.