The Brown Feather

The brown feather is earned when a brave demonstrates, before the tribe, an Indian Prayer. The prayer is used in closing the Tribal Counsel. Although originally intended to be a silent prayer the words are said along with the signs to meaning to each gesture.

An Indian Prayer

And now,

(Index finger pointing to the ground)

May the Great Spirit

(all fingers circling up, imitating smoke)

Of all good spirits

(arms outstretched)

Be with

(arms coming in close)

You,

(index finger pointing across circle)

Now

(all fingers pointing down)

And forever more.

(action of shooting bow and arrow)

Of course, now would be a good time to remember that the phrase, “Great Spirit” is just another name for God the Father. Parents should take time to remind their sons of the book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 5.

Ego Dominus Deus tuus qui eduxi te de terra Aegypti de domo servitutis.

Non habebis deos alienos in conspectu meo.

Non facies tibi sculptile nec similitudinem omnium quae in caelo sunt desuper et quae in terra deorsum et quae versantur in aquis sub terra.

Non adorabis ea et non coles ego enim sum Dominus Deus tuus Deus aemulator reddens
iniquitatem patrum super filios in tertiam et quartam generationem his qui oderunt me.

I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt not have strange gods in my sight.

Thou shalt not make to thy self a graven thing, nor the likeness of any things, that are in heaven
above, or that are in the earth beneath, or that abide in the waters under the earth.

Thou shalt not adore them, and thou shalt not serve them. For I am the Lord thy God, a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon their children unto the third and fourth generation,
to them that hate me.