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
