Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp

- November 23, 2009

This is a book that we borrowed from our local library and are LOVING right now. We are reading it everyday to prepare our hearts and minds for our Thanksgiving celebration. I would like to share the poem here with you.

Giving Thanks

To be a human being is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life.

Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need.

Thank you, deep blue waters around Mother Earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things.

We give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor.

Thank you, good foods from Mother Earth, our life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry.

Fruits and berries, we thank you for your color and sweetness.

We are thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick.

Thank you, all the animals in the world, for keeping our precious forests clean.

All the trees in the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. Thank you, all the birds in the world for singing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.

We give thanks to you, gentle Four Winds, for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions.

Thank you, Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow.

Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth.

Thank you, Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month to light the darness for children and sparkling water.

We give thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and for sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.

Spirit Protectors of our past and present, we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.

And most of all, thank you, Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.

There is a forward in the book that explains that this is a ceremonial poem for the Six Nations Native American tribes. Also, the illustrations in this book are so lovely and so enhance the experience of reading this poen, it is worth the effort to get yourself a copy.