They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety,
deserve neither liberty or safety. ---Benjamin Franklin

The Native American Drum
Black Elk, Oglala, 1862 - 1950

Since the drum is often the only instrument used in our sacred rites, you
should be informed why it is especially sacred and important to us. It is
because the round form of the drum represents the whole universe, and its'
steady strong beat is the pulse, the heart, throbbing at the center of the
universe.

It is as the voice of WAKAN-TANKA, the Great Spirit and this sound stirs us
and helps us to understand the mystery and power of all things. We should,
also, understand that all things are works of the Great Spirit. We should
know that he is within all four legged animals, the two legged and the winged
peoples; and even more important, we should understand that He is above all
these things.

When we do understand all this in our hearts, then we will love and know the
Great Spirit and we will act and live as the Great Spirit intends.

There are other things also, that we the Siouan dialect speaking people hold
sacred, the pipe given to us by White Buffalo Cow Woman and the great
buffalo. The buffalo gives up its' life so that we can have food from the
meat, clothing and shelter from the tanned hides, tools made from the bones
and cooking utensils and waterproof packaging for preserved foods.

The pipe, which carries all our cries and prayers to Wakan-Tanka who watches
over us all. Behold the pipe, always remember how sacred it is, and treat it
as such for it will take you to the end. For as long as the pipe is used, the
people will live; but as soon as the pipe is forgotten, the people will be
without a center and they will perish.

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