“You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer.

All things belong to You—the two leggeds, the four leggeds, the wings of the air and all green things that live.

You have set the powers of the four quarters to cross each other. The good road and the road of difficulties you have made to cross; and where they cross, the place is holy.

Day in and day out, forever, you are the life of things…

Again, and maybe the last time on this earth, I recall the great vision you sent me. It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds.

Hear me, not for myself, but for my people. I am old. Hear me that they may once more go back into the Sacred Hoop and find the Good Red Road, the Shielding Tree!”

-Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux Elder and Visionary, lived from 1863-1950.