In respect to our home, the earth, we say thank you, to the earth, and for everything she gives to us, nourishing us everyday. We give thanks to all the water, in the world, and everything within that water. We give thanks to all the grass, that lives on the land. We give thanks to all the berries, the fruits, the medicines. We give thanks to the animals, that keep the forest clean. We give thanks to all the trees, their different uses, that they give to us, for shelters, for fires that we make in winter time to keep us warm. We give thanks to the birds who sing their beautiful songs. We give thanks to the four winds. We give thanks to the grandfathers, the ones that brings the rain. And we give thanks to our oldest brother, the son, who shines his light by day. We give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the moon, for she is the one who has been charged with the duty to make sure that light is continuous, she is the one who watches over all the movements of the water, and also the water within us. We give thanks to the stars, her helpers. And we give a special thanksgiving to the four sacred beings that watch over the human family. Sometimes we notice them, when we are traveling in dangerous places, they are the ones that come to our minds and say "go around, don't go any further", so that is why they are there for, to protect us, steer us away from danger. And so that is what we do, start right from earth and climb the ladder, right to that special place beyond the heavens, where there is a special spirit that lives there, a spirit that made it possible for us to be here, and everything that we have mentioned. So with the collectiveness of our minds and hearts, we send a special thanksgiving and greeting to the Great Spirit of us all.

Chief Jake Swamp