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In Honour of Chief Dan George and Our Deep Respect for Our Bears

Prayer for My Brother the Bear

O Great Spirit who listens to all

I speak for my brother the bear:

Make the moon shine softly during the nights of his childhood so that the warmth of his mother will always be in his memory.

Make the berries grow in abundance and sweetness so that the vigor of life will strengthen his heart and the years of old age shall never be a burden to his body.

Let the wildflowers refresh his temperament so that his manner will always be carefree.

Give his legs swiftness and strength so they will always carry him to freedom.

Sharpen the senses of his ears and nose so they will aways keep harm from him.

Let only those men share his path who in their

hearts know his beauty and respect his strength so that he will always be at home in the wilderness.

Make men praise life so that no one needs to feel the shame that lives in a heart that has wronged.

Then my wild brother, the bear, will always have a wilderness, as long as the sun travels the sky.

O Great Spirit, this I ask of you for my brother the bear.

Chief Dan George

The Bear is Closest to Man

When I was born my grandfather took me from my mother and wrapped me into a black bear’s soft fur blanket.

It gave me warmth!

It gave me security and comfort! How can I be anything but grateful to the bear? Of all the creatures he is closest to man. Yet it seems there is little place for him now.

~ Chief Dan George

Chief Dan George: OC. (born Geswanouth Slahoot: July 24, 1899 - September, 23, 1981) Known to many of us as an actor in a number of movies, he was also, and more importantly, a chief of the Tsleil-Waututh, a Coast Salish band. He was also well know for his wisdom, advocacy and promotion of native rights. He was greatly respected among natives and non-natives alike.

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