An American Indian Legend - Nation Unknown
The Talking Stick is a tool used in many Native American Traditions when a council is called. It allows all council members to present their Sacred Point of View. The Talking Stick is passed from person to person as they speak and only the person holding the stick is allowed to talk during that time period. The Answering Feather is also held by the person speaking unless the speaker address a question to another council member. At that time, the Answering Feather is passed to the person asked to answer the query. Every member of the meeting must listen closely to the words being spoken, so when their turn comes, they do not repeat unneeded information or ask impertinent questions. Indian children are taught to listen from age three forward; they are also taught to respect another's viewpoint. This is not to say that they may not disagree, but rather they are bound by their personal honor to allow everyone their Sacred Point of View. People responsible for holding any type council meeting are required to make their own Talking Stick. The Talking Stick may be used when they teach children, hold council, make decisions regarding disputes, hold Pow-Wow gatherings, have storytelling circles, or conduct a ceremony where more then one person will speak. Since each piece of material used in the Talking Stick speaks of the personal Medicine of the stick owner, each Talking Stick will be different. The Qualities of each type of Standing Person (Tree) brings specific Medicine. White Pine is the Peace Tree, Birch symbolizes truth, Evergreens represent the continued growth of all things. Cedar symbolizes cleansing. Aspen is the symbol for seeing clearly since there are many eye shapes on the truth. Maple represents gentleness. Elm is used for wisdom; Mountain Ash for protection; Oak for strength; Cherry for expression, high emotion, or love. Fruit woods are for abundance and walnut or pecan for gathering of energy or beginning new projects. Each person making a Talking Stick must decide which type of Standing Person (Tree) will assist their needs and add needed medicine to the Councils held. The ornamentation of each stick all have meaning. In the Lakotah Tradition, red is for life, yellow is for knowledge, blue is for prayer and wisdom, white is for spirit, purple is for healing, orange is for feeling kinship with all living things, black is for clarity and focus. The type of feathers and hide used on a Talking Stick are very important as well. The Answering Feather is usually an Eagle Feather, which represents high ideals, truth as viewed from the expansive eye of the eagle, and the freedom that comes from speaking total truth to the best of one's ability. The Answering Feather can also be the feather of a Turkey, the Peace Eagle of the south, which brings peaceful attitudes as well as the give and take necessary in successful completion of disputes. In the Tribe that see Owl as good Medicine, the Owl feather may also be used to stop deception from entering the Sacred Space of the Council. http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TraditionalTalkingStickUnknown.html
The Talking Sticks
Definition of Talking Sticks: What are Talking Sticks? Talking Sticks has been used for centuries by many Native American tribes as a means of an orderly, just and impartial hearing. Talking Sticks were most commonly used at major events such as tribal council meetings and Pow-Wow gatherings and important ceremonies but their use was also extended to storytelling circles and teaching children. Talking Sticks allow people to present and express their Sacred Point of View.
Description of Talking Sticks
The people responsible for holding any type council meetings were required to make a Talking Stick specifically for the event. Talking sticks were therefore made from carefully selected materials that had a special meaning and significance to the maker. The size of Talking sticks was usually taken from the measurement between the elbow to the tips of the fingers. Talking Sticks were usually long, narrow, brightly colored and adorned with furs and or feathers.
Symbolism associated with Talking Sticks
Talking Sticks are decorated with paint, carvings and occasionally wrapped in buckskin or other leather materials. The ornamentation, colors and painted decorations on talking sticks had special meanings, as did the wood they were made from and any fur or feathers that were used. The symbolism associated with the fur, skins, feathers or symbols of animals used in the decoration of talking sticks were also highly significant due to the belief that they brought the attributes, characteristics and medicine of the creatures to the event. http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-americanculture/talking-sticks.htm
Origins and meaning of the Talking Stick: The Talking Stick is a democratic symbol of power, honour and integrity used since time immemorial among Indigenous North Americans; particularly First Nations of the West Coast. Talking Sticks of the Coastal Peoples are often elaborately carved and decorated signifying to all important teachings and tribal linage. This serves as both visual and spiritual reminders to the holder of the Talking Stick, and to those listening, to conduct themselves in a manner of decorum and mutual respect for all their relations to witness. Other Nations of the Americas use feathers, wampum, pipes and other sacred items in the same way: to designate who has the right and obligation to speak truthfully and be respectively heard without interruption. Traditionally, Talking Sticks have been, and continue to be, used during critical meetings such as treaty negotiations, as well as important social events and gatherings such as: totem pole raisings and potlatches http://www.fullcircleperformance.ca/talking-stick-festiva-overview
