Grace Daniels
Grace's Old Story
Grace's Messsage
Learn about your home. Always stay close to your home. Make your home the center of your life. Don't go to other people's houses to get things; make sure your house has everything. Don't borrow things from other people; you must learn to be self-sufficient. Learn to be a lady and have self-respect.
A woman should always think about the lessons she has learned from her mother. She should always think about her mother in a respectful way. You should always give your parents and grandparents credit for the things they taught you. That is what my grandmother taught me.
For young people who want to get to know your culture, go and find out where a feast is taking place. Take a bowl of berries or bring some fried bread you made by yourself. Learn to share. You need to put your labour into the feast. You need to help with the feast so you can get to know the people and they will see that you really want to be a part of the ceremony. If you hear about a ceremony and want to go, you should always bring some tobacco. You can also bring a ribbon or cloth to give to the elder. When you see a person who is a traditional person, get to know them. If they talk about the Creator first, that is the person you want. Get to know these people but always give tobacco to them before you talk to them and ask them for help.
If a mother is asking for help she should wear a print dress. She should have sewn it for the ceremony. She should pray for blessings the whole time she sews the dress. She should make dresses for her children like this. For her boys, she should make ribbon shirts to wear to the ceremonies. You must put your labour and prayers into the things you use for ceremony. If you want to go to a ceremony and you want a blessing, you should make all your clothes. Your dress plus your moccasins and underwear are made. You should have someone show you how to cut the moccasin material so you don't ruin it. You should also learn about your own tribe's designs and use them. People should know who you are by looking at your clothes and the designs on your clothes.
You should always keep yourself and your home clean. This is respect. You show respect for your life by taking care of the life the Creator gave to you. You always take care of the things you have and keep everything perfect. Never be greedy. Always do your dishes. Never throw things out; you should keep things and learn to repair things. Even an old cup should be repaired and kept. By keeping things and repairing them you keep your money and you and your children will have a better life. The women should take care of the house and the money.
Take care of your children with pride and keep them clean and teach them manners and to listen.
You teach people respect by talking to them. Always talk to your children. You have to show children how to behave. Try to keep your feelings hidden. Don't be emotional; that is not a good response to show your children. Straighten things out in a calm way.
Respect animals and always feed any animals you have.
Your children should always be looked after. They should be kept clean and nice. Being a mother and father is the hardest thing you can do in life but you must do it the best way possible.
Women should not wear pants and they should not chase men. Women have the responsibility of bringing young women up to have pride and to be good, strong, caring women. Women should always teach the young women how to sew and to make things well. They should have pride in their work and the things that they make. When you are making things, you should always think about the grandmothers and grandfathers.
Find your mate and go to ceremonies. Those people are the ones who are happy and content. Both men and women have a gift. It is up to you both to find one another's special gift and help to keep that gift. You will grow old together and care for one another then. Always laugh. Be happy around your home and the people you love.
Older men have the responsibility of teaching young men how to be strong and take care of a family. When young men's voices change, they should be taught how to be gentlemen and to raise their children. They need to learn to be responsible and care for their families. Men have to train the young men in how to be men, when they are teenagers.
Always thank the Creator for the day. Always be grateful.
