Ethleen Iron Cloud-Two Dogs
Senior Technical Assistance Consultant
Anp’o Wicah’pi ya hi najin, wamayanka ye
Morning Star, there you stand; see me, acknowledge me
C’anunpa yuha hoye waye, taku wakan na mi ci hun ye
I send a voice with this sacred pipe, all that is sacred, hear me
Morning Star Song, Oglala Lakota
The words to this song are not just “words”, but are a declaration of love, hope, appeal; and a connection and nurturing of a relationship with the star nation according to the Lakota worldview. According to Lakota teachings that have been passed down orally through the generations, this song is to be sung by anyone before the sun rises to ask for a blessing for the day and to greet the morning star, which is viewed as a relative. Acknowledging the star nation, then blessing ourselves with the rising sun rays are examples of nurturing and strengthening our body, mind and spirit. Through the song of the morning star, our children and grandchildren learn that the stars are relatives and are encouraged to honor this relationship. They also learn humility in asking for and receiving the blessing from the morning star; and that this blessing will strengthen them throughout the day. Usually water is prayed with when asking for the blessing and this is an acknowledgement of the sacredness of water.
Another lesson from this seemingly simple act of waking before the sun rises to acknowledge and appeal to the morning star is valuing discipline and consistency, important characteristics in achievement. Most importantly, children and youth learn they have a place in the universe among all other universal entities and that relationships must be nurtured in order to live in balance. All these teachings and ways of knowing were passed down orally from generation to generation as factors in the ongoing endeavor of achieving wellness and balance. While this teaching is from the Lakota worldview, all Tribes/Tribal Nations have respective teachings that serve to strengthen and nurture the spirit of their people.
