"THE MESSAGE OF KARIWIIO"

Reprinted with permission from Traditional Teachings by the Native North American Travelling College

…continued from last week

THE ARTICLES OF KARIWIIO

NOW THE MESSENGERS SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER AND ASKED HIM TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

Skanientariio explained that he saw a spot in the road where I could smell all different scents of flowers and fruits. I saw strawberries that I wanted to eat. I also heard different birds singing.

Now the Messengers explained that Skanientariio could not eat anything until the time has come. Skanientariio noticed the great change from the Punisher’s house and Sonkwaiatison’s house.

NOW THE MESSENGERS SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER AND THEY ASKED HIM TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

So he said: I saw the Messengers instructing me to stop here, saying now we will listen.

They heard a voice saying, “Tomorrow, we will have a lacrosse game.” He noticed that they were carrying on their games as they did when they were alive on earth.

Now the Messengers explained that this was the duty of the man’s voice that he heard. While he was still alive he would see that the ceremonies were carried on and the games played.

NOW THE MESSENGERS SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER, AND THEY ASKED HIM TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

So he said: I saw the house where my mother lived. The Messengers told Skanientariio that he could go and see her. So he went over, but she was not home, and only his was home when he got there. She asked him if he was here to stay and he told her “no”, that he was only here visiting. She reminded him that what he gave in the Peach Stone Bowl game during the Midwinter Ceremonies was there waiting for him.

Now the Messengers will explain why Skanientariio’s mother was not home when he went over to see her. Now we will tell you that we knew she would not be there when you went over, for if she was home, she wouldn’t have allowed you to return back to earth. She would not want you to leave.

AT THIS POINT SKANIENTARIIO MEETS THE FOURTH MESSENGER

Now at this time the Messengers explained to Skanientariio that it is time for him to meet the fourth Messenger. The fourth Messenger said that it was he who was sent to the world to give us the four sacred ceremonies. He is the same one who went across the salt waters to teach our white brother similar teachings. He asked Skanientariio how many of his people believed in the words from Sonkwaiatison and was told that about half believe it. “This is very good,” said the fourth Messenger, “for where I was, not too many would listen. They have interpreted the words of Sonkwaiatison in their own way and many groups have been formed, each boasting that their way is the only true way. They will be competing among themselves for followers, yet wars, destruction and greed will result from the original teachings because they have misunderstood the true message I brought to them. Your people are fortunate to accept the words of Sonkwaiatison from his Messengers. It is this knowledge that will give your people a good way to live.”

NOW THE MESSENGERS SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER, AND ASKED HIM TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

He said, I saw my niece, and she was very sad.

Now the Messengers explained why his niece was so sad. It was because she could see her family members here on earth, and she could hear them arguing all the time. She asked if Skanientariio would give a message to them that this makes her very sad and that it bothers her greatly, and if it could be stopped and not continued. At this point Skanientariio and the Messengers were returning from Sonkwaiatison’s land.

NOW THE MESSENGERS SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER, AND ASKED HIM TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

He said: I saw, as we were returning from Sonkwaiatison’s land, an object hanging in the middle of nowhere. It was white (representing the wind).

The Messengers said: true, that is what you saw, and now we will explain what it is. We take care of this and we watch over the wind, making sure it never fails its duties. This is the atmosphere of the world. If ever it should fall or turn too quickly, it will get very windy and many people on earth will suffer.

THE MESSENGERS NOW SHOWED SKANIENTARIIO ANOTHER, AND THEY ASKED HIM TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HE SAW.

He said: I saw two drops hanging in mid air; it looked like they were ready to fall. One drop was red and the other drop was yellow.

Now the Messenger said: true, that is what you saw, and we will explain what this means. If either of these drops should fall, it will cause a great deal of disturbance. The red drop will cause sickness. People will be vomiting blood and passing blood also. The yellow drop will cause diseases that will be incurable. Many people will perish if these two drops should ever fall. Now we tell you, that you must tell your people to prepare themselves against these diseases.

Continued next week...