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Prayer is a truly powerful thing, and represents our spiritual connection with the Creator.

Prayer is our time to give thanks for the blessings we have been given and to ask for help for those in need. Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our lives, and, unfortunately, it is one aspect we often neglect.

I am Tsalagi, or, as our European brothers named us, “Cherokee.” When we pray, we stand looking to the East, the place where all life begins. We do not bow our heads, but look up to Galan lati, the Sky World, and send our prayers to Wankan Tanka, the Great Mystery. With our arms outstretched, reaching for the Creator, we ask for good health and good help for Ahwensa Uhili, All Our Relations. When finished, we bend and touch our Mother Earth and give thanks to her for all she has provided.

When Tsalagi come together in prayer, it is a powerful thing. When we pray together we form the Sacred Circle or Hoop. We enter the Circle in a sunwise direction to the beat of the Sacred Drum, which represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth and our people. The Bundle Keeper burns tobacco, sweetgrass and sage as an offering to the Creator, and sends prayers inviting good spirits to come into our Circle.

Next, we smudge. The Bundle Keeper, in a sunwise direction, goes to each person with the burning herbs. We offer prayers and pull the smoke to us: over our heads, to our chest/heart and down to our feet. As we do this, the smoke purifies our bodies and we offer our prayers to Wankan Tanka. Once everyone in the Circle has smudged, prayer is again offered to the Creator. Once this Sacred Circle/Hoop is formed, it cannot be broken by anyone until the conclusion of the prayers and the closing of the Circle.

When the Circle is closed, we offer a thank you song to the Creator, our Grandfather. The first to have entered the Circle then leaves the Circle—again, in a sunwise direction, stopping to greet and embrace every person in the Circle. Each member follows the first person’s lead, thus making sure we have all greeted and embraced everybody, strengthening our bond and our Circle.

This is a very brief description of how the Tsalagi pray, both alone and in groups. To go into the full meaning behind all that is done would take many, many pages. The important thing is that we come together as a people and support each other in prayer. Just as the Bible says, “When two or three come together in my name, I am there,” Tsalagi also believe there is greater power in prayer when we are together in the presence of the Creator.

Whether you are alone, with a few friends or in a large congregation, prayer should always be offered before you start any activity. In doing this, you ensure everything you do is with the Creator in mind and that you are walking in a sacred manner.

—By Randy Miller, CLF Member Incarcerated in Indiana