As We Listen to the Spirits We Will Learn the Way of the Yellowstone

“Our Father,

Look down on us.

Look down on us in a good way.

Watch over all of us

We’re going to look out for each other.

We’re going to look through the mountains in a good way.

That is what I am talking about,

And that’s what I’m telling you.

That’s all.”

– Shoshone prayer.

It is believed by Native Americans that the Creator created spirit beings before man. He called a gathering of these spirits and announced that he was going to create man. He would place them on the earth naked and helpless and he asked the spirits if they were willing, to take a form that would either help or hinder mankind on this earth. So the spirits chose and those are the physical forms that we see around us today. The mountains, the streams, the plants, the animals, the wind, the rain, the stars in the heavens, the insects, and the fish in the seas, whatever we see on this beautiful planet is a spirit who chose to be here. But there were spirits that chose intangible forms and those things are perceived as real as those spirits which are tangible. It is believed that there is much to reality that we as lowly humans can not perceive on our own.

The Crow believed they were placed in the area we know as the Yellowstone River; they are the first caretakers of this beautiful geothermal wonderland. The name Yellowstone is perhaps a mistranslation of the Shoshone words for Elk River, as this river was part of the migratory route of a great elk herd. The Native Americans do not see the land as a thing to own, but as a living spirit to care for as it cares for them. They did not just settle in one spot on the land and expect the wildlife to come to them. They picked berries in the summer and fished the streams. They hunted the big horn sheep, the elk and the buffalo all in their season, they traveled great distances in their quest to use the land as the spirits intended. It was important to them that this land be preserved and they are thankful to the National Park Service for their diligence in preserving the natural resources found there. The white man hasn’t always been so kind.

The Oregon Trail which was started by the trappers and traders in 1811 didn’t become a main travel way for the settlers until 1836 when the first wagon train was organized and started out from Missouri. As I listened to a member of the Shoshone tribe speak of the past I felt his sorrow for what his tribe discovered upon crossing the Oregon Trail. I only hope I can share it with you in a way that strikes a chord with you. Imagine spending time in a favored hunting ground to return again to the beautiful Elk River. Life had flourished in the plains, the children were growing up brave and strong, the hunt had been successful. The tribe was in good spirits glad to be returning home. As they were coming closer to the Elk River there was something wrong, they spotted old campfires, cold to the touch, signs of human passage with all of their waste, the waste of their cattle, the raping of the forest, the land once beautiful grazing land now lay bare. This is what the Native Americans found along the Oregon Trail.

After hearing this re-enactment my eyes were opened to another view of the settlers travels. I tell you this so you can appreciate what has been done to turn back the clock and preserve what was once decimated and rejoice with our Native brothers that the spirits are stronger than man and can be shared by us in this day. Perhaps our journey to the Yellowstone can be even more blessed by what our Creator has given us to care for and the spirits that are here to help us on our journey of life.

Every mountain, every stream, every valley, every rock, every plant, every animal has a story to tell. The elders have learned much in their lifetime but their knowledge is not owed to the young. If you are respectful and act in a respectful manner the elder may decide to share what he has learned with you. The same goes for the mountain or the tree. All things are living and placed on this earth for us to learn from. Learn the way of the mountain and it will teach you how to survive there. Learn the ways of the river and you will understand how to fish successfully.

All of creation is to be interacted with and experienced for yourself. A Shoshone Shaman had traveled to the Mammoth Hot Springs to fast and to pray. During his spiritual journey he was joined by a huge water spirit. This story had been passed down through the generations. A college professor was discussing this story with a Shoshone tribesman and the professor asked the Shoshone if this story made him uneasy or afraid to travel through the Mammoth Hot Springs. The Shoshone replied, “no, wouldn’t it be wonderful to fast at this site and experience and learn from that same water spirit.”

With new found eyes I would love to return to the Yellowstone Park and take a more spiritual look at this beautiful landscape. To listen to the breeze and commune with the mountains to discover what the spirits would share with me. I am hoping that you will join me in this quest for knowledge. To see with new found eyes that which the Creator has made us caretakers of.

https://youtu.be/l8xpVSJXEY4