Red Road lessons - 356 days walking the red road

Red Road Lesson 9

The Moon

The moon, referred to as Grand-

mother Moon by various American

Indian people, pertains to female fer-

tility, night activities, dreams, and, for

most, lunar calendars and weather.

It is necessary to not only learn

about the moon as a celestial entity,

but to celebrate her rotations,

rhythms, and importance to the world

as a whole. Be sure to gaze upon her

full face each month and memorialize

her grand beauty. Use this time to

reflect on your life, and to plan for

your future.

My father explained this to me. "All

things in this world," he said, "have

souls or spirits. The sky has a spirit, the

clouds have spirits; the sun and moon

have spirits; so have animals, trees,

grass, water, stones--everything."

-EDWARD GOODBIRD,

HIDATSA, 1914

Have patience.

All things change in due time.
Wishing cannot bring autumn

glory nor cause winter to cease.

-GINALY-LI, CHEROKEE

Did You Know?

Tribes often have two names. One is

the name they call themselves, and the

second is the name the non-Native

Indians called them (and usually still

use when referring to them). Below

as just a few alternative tribal names:

Common Name Tribal name

Anadarko Nadaco

Cayuga Kweniogwen

Cherokee Tsalagi

Crow Absaroke

Iowa Pahodja

Kickapoo Kiwigapawa

Lumbee Cheraw

Navajo Dineh

Shawnee Savannah