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a 20 minute video will be shown at lectures given by billy silverhawk

After Kanati   (FIRST MAN) came down from the mountain of the big spring, he encountered the Uktena.  It was a giant snake with two horns, and a very large crystal stone (ULVVSUTI) on his forehead.  The Uktena was controlled by the AHSGINAH  (The great evil spirit), and killed the people by striking them in the heart with his ULVSUTI, and drawing out their blood.  Kanati shot four arrows into it's seventh vertebra, striking it's heart.             The storm spirits lead by the AHSGINAH sent lighting to destroy Kanati; but missed, and struck a giant cedar tree causing a fire.  The Creator sent chosen spirits to the fire to keep it alive for the ANIYVWEYA (first people).  This special fire was to be used in ceremonies, and dances (STOMP DANCES); and to burn forever.  This fire could only be kept, kindled, and passed on by the  Anidawehi (wise men) using a special pray song in special ceremony.             The men began the dance in a counter clockwise spiral around the sacred fire.  The sacred fire is on the left, the side of our heart, and the hand we receive with.  The men do a single step, but sometimes use a double step.  The two stick men call the women onto the ground, where a woman goes between each of the men.  While the men sing the prayer songs of the ancestors, the women shake the turtle shells on their legs.  The turtle shells are for the women because it was the women who was created from the red clay of Turtle Island.  At times the head singer turns to the fire to speak to the spirits using both hands, and the inter or first circle turn with him; both men, and women.             Most of the dances are done at night beginning before midnight, and ending after sunrise.  Fasting, prayer songs, and talking medicine are all part of the ceremony.  The old way of medicine is still known, and practiced by the medicine unseen and unknown by most of the traditional people.  These things we can not make known.

Music Background courtesy by:  Billy Silverhawk