Medicine Story
METTANOKIT OUTREACH
GREENVILLE, N.H. 03048
TEL (603) 878-2310 or 878-3117





WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW
YOUNG PEOPLE'S COUNCILS

In our young people's programs we begin with a circle, putting our minds together to remind ourselves of our relationships to all of Creation and becoming of one mind. We explain the central importance of the circle in Native American thinking, and how it affects the way we live and work together. We explain the use of sweet grass, cedar, sage, and tobacco, and demonstrate smudging and prayer. We explain the use of the talking stick, and we allow each person to experience the power of that way in the circle, or in smaller clan circles.

There are a number of other activities which we can generate with young people, depending on the amount of time allotted and the particular needs and interests of the group.

We may take the time to tune in to the natural world around us, to learn how to listen to the spirits of the trees, the grass, the rocks, the earth, the winds, and hear if they should speak to us. We discover the power of various animal relatives and allow ourselves to be one with them for a time. We create a vision and summon guardian spirits who can help us. We put our minds together and share our visions of Creation as our hearts dream.

We may spend some time learning about the native indigenous peoples of the world today, what they seek, and what is happening to them. We learn how native people are stereotyped and how that creates hurtful prejudices. Young people may wish to ask questions about Amerindian culture and beliefs.

We celebrate the family as the center of human society and seek the healing of all our families. For this we create clans or societies which will be tribal healing councils, and we learn how to be better allies for each other. From these clans we create dances, songs, and ceremonies that express who we are and what we have learned.

From these councils young people are encouraged to become Warriors of the Rainbow. Warriors of the Rainbow are the protectors of Mother Earth and of all life. They are warriors whose weapon is Love. They are healers whose medicine is Beauty.