This prophecy poem was received, and transcribed by Greg Chester, who has generously shares it with PULL TOGETHER NOW (PTN). Greg has helped create The Ancestors’ Relay and the Ancestors’ Promise document inserted into each Message Stick. This prophecy message is a call to all people from the 4-Directions.
Though specific rivers on Turtle Island are named in this translation, you are encouraged to add your HomeWater, for this is a universal message to people of all traditions and places on Earth. This is a call to re-member and renew our sacred connection and relationship with Mother Earth and one another, to pray, to collaborate in ways that grow community and help each other carry out our sacred responsibility to care for peace, children, elders, and Mother Earth before all else.
This photo was taken during a ceremony at the headwaters of the Missouri River in 2009. Countless generations of individuals, families, and councils have gathered to pray at these and all headwaters to offer gratitude for Life to Creator and the ancestors, reaffirming their commitment to ways of being that respect, protect, and ensure the mutual flourishing of humankind with all other communities of Life on Mother Earth. ancestorsrelay@gmail.com
(photo courtesy of Lisa R. Smith © 2009)
THEY ARE COMING TO THE HEART OF TURTLE ISLAND
TO THE HEART OF TURTLE ISLAND, THEY ARE COMING
They are coming to the headwater of Mother Earth
To the heart of Mother Earth they are coming.
Prophesies have been given, they are coming.
Dreams are being given, they are coming.
Leaders will be selected, they are coming.
Routes will be chosen, they are coming.
They are coming. They are coming.
The bald eagle cries, they are coming.
The animals hear, they are coming.
The plants hear, they are coming.
The people hear, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
From the rising sun, they are coming.
From the source of warmth, they are coming.
From the source of rain, they are coming.
From the source of snow, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
Babies, they are coming.
Youth, they are coming.
Adults, they are coming.
Elders, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
In mothers’ arms, they are coming.
Walking, they are coming.
Running, they are coming.
Riding, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
Carrying sacred feathers, they are coming.
Carrying sacred drums, they are coming.
Carrying sacred pipes, they are coming.
Carrying sacred tobacco, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
In peace, they are coming.
In love, they are coming.
Caring, they are coming.
With power, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
To the heart of Turtle Island, they are coming.
To where the thunder clouds drum, they are coming.
To where the rains fill the rivers, they are coming.
To where nourishing waters flow outwards, they are coming.
To the headwaters, they are coming.
To the St. Louis River, they are coming.
To the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, they are coming.
To the Red and Minnesota Rivers, they are coming.
To the Big Fork and Rainy Rivers, they are coming.
To the primary water source, they are coming.
By the thousands, they are coming.
By the tens of thousands, they are coming.
Of many nations, they are coming.
Of many races, they are coming.
With a question, they are coming.
To our Red brothers, they are asking.
To our Black brothers, they are asking.
To our White brothers, they are asking.
To our Yellow brothers, they are asking.
To the people of the headwaters, they are asking.
Have we been good caretakers, they are asking.
Have we followed the Creator’s instructions, they are asking.
Have we honored our responsibilities, they are asking.
Have we cared for our Creator’s gifts, they are asking.
To the people of the headwaters, they are asking.
Are our children healthy and of good minds, they are asking.
Are we caring for and feeding our children properly, they are asking.
Are we teaching our children properly, they are asking.
Are we setting good examples, they are asking.
Can our children shoulder their nations’ responsibilities, they are asking.
Are we eating the Creator’s foods, they are asking.
Are we caring for ourselves properly, they are asking.
Are we learning the Creator’s instructions, they are asking.
Are we following the Creator’s instructions, they are asking.
Can we shoulder our nations’ responsibilities, they are asking.
Do we cast out drugs, which confuse our minds, they are asking.
Do we cast out artificial foods, which weaken our bodies, they are asking.
Do we cast out false entertainment, which weakens our will, they are asking.
Do we cast out glittering trinkets, which lead us down wrong paths, they are asking.
Are we ready to shoulder our nations’ responsibilities, they are asking.
Do we know the Creator’s instructions, they are asking.
Do we eat the Creator’s foods, they are asking.
Do we maintain our traditions, they are asking.
Do we follow our ways, they are asking.
Are our people strong, they are asking.
As individuals, they are coming.
By the tens, they are coming.
By the hundreds, they are coming.
By the thousands, they are coming.
Are we ready?
Can we greet them, they are coming.
Can we feed them, they are coming.
Can we shelter them, they are coming.
Can we care for them, they are coming.
Are we ready?
To the headwaters, they are coming.
To the caretakers of the headwaters, they are coming.
To the people of the Heart of Turtle Island, they are asking.
Are you caring for the Creator’s gifts, they are asking.
Are the people of the headwaters ready, they are asking.
Are we ready?
To the Heart of Turtle Island, they are coming.
© Greg Chester
August 1988