148 The Book of Woodcraft THE PEACE PIPE CEREMONY The Medicine Man, standing in front of the read}'- laid fire, opens Council thus: "Neetah Kola nayhoon-po omnicheeyay nee-chopi — Hear me, my friends, we are about to hold a council.
- Now light we the Council Fire after the manner of the
Forest children, not in the way of the white man, but — even as Wakonda himself doth light his fire — by the rub- bing together of two trees in the storm -wind, so cometh forth the sacred fire from the wood of the forest." (He uses the drill; the smoke comes, the flame bursts forth.) "Now know we that Wakonda, whose dwelling is above the Thunder-bird, whose messenger is the Thunder- bird, hath been pleased to smile on his children, hath sent down the sacred fire. By this we know he will be present at our Council, that his wisdom will be with us. "This is a Council of Peace, so light we first the Pipe of Peace." (Kneeling at the fire he lights the pipe. As soon as it is going, he Hfts the pipe grasped in both hands, with the stem toward the sky, saying) : To Wakonda; that his wisdom be with us. Hay-oon- kee-ya. Noon-way. (All answer): Noon-way. (Amen, or this is our prayer.) To Maka Ina, Mother Earth, that she send us food, Hay- oon-kee-ya. Noon-way. (All answer) : Noon-way. To Weeyo-peata, the Sunset Wind, that he come not in his strength upon us. Hay-oon-kee-oon-ee-ya-snee. Noon- way. (Then blows smoke and holds the stem to the west.) (All answer) : Noon-way. fl
