Wolf Den <BGSOUND SRC="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~farmeranderwinfamilies/Homepage/wolf.wav">


Snow Wolf
Snow Wolf
Divider


Welcome to WhiteFeather's Wolf Den
Small Snow Wolf
Today there are four species of the Wolf in North America; Red, Alaskan, Gray, and Mexican. At present, the Red Wolf and the Gray Wolf are listed on the Endangered Species list. While the Alaskan and Mexican wolves remain at risk for survival as well. Small steps are being taken to help preserve these beautiful animals.

Awareness is perhaps one way we can help the Wolf. To that purpose I have created this website to show my awareness and dedication to this beautiful animal and help others become aware also. I hope you enjoy this webpage and through it become a little more aware and connected with the Wolf.


Small Snow Scene
Fact Sheets from
Defenders of Wildlife


Red Wolf  Red Wolf          Gray Wolf  Gray Wolf          Mexican Wolf  Mexican Wolf

Wolves Pic 1          Wolves Pic 2

Wolves Pic 3          Wolves Pic 4

Wolves Pic 5          Wolves Pic 6


Small Snow Scene



Divider

The Wolf & Native American Spirituality


The Pawnee of present day Nebraska and Kansas are different then most other Native Americans. The Pawnee divided their world horizon into four semi cardinal points. They placed the Mountain Lion, the Bobcat, the Bear, and the Wolf to these semi cardinal points. These animals were chosen primarily because they were the great hunters. The stealth of the Cats, the endurance of the of the Wolf, and the strength of the Bear. The Eagles are not part of the semi cardinal points but nevertheless very important. The Eagle has great vision, but more importantly when you pray, you pray into the smoke of the sacred fire. The smoke from the fire carries your prayers into the sky, the Eagle it is said will fly into the smoke and catch your prayer and deliver it to the Great Spirit. The white feathers of the Bald Eagle are tipped with black. It is said, this happened because the Bald Eagle was the messenger to the Great Spirit. He had to take the prayer to the other side of! the sun. When he delivered the prayer his feathers were singed by the fire of the sun as proof that he was the messenger of the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit said, " You are my messenger and the whole world shall see that I have kissed your tail feathers as proof that you are indeed my messenger.

The Pawnee set the Mountain Lion to the northeast, the Wolf to the Southeast, the Bobcat to the Southwest and the Bear to the Northwest. The cats are said to guard the primal female presence and were put into the ski as the Evening Star. The Wolf was also put in the ski as the Red Star or Wolf Star. The Red Star is to symbolize the color of the Red Wolf. These animals were held in high esteem by these primitive hunters.

The Wolf is an important part of tribal, ceremonial, individual life but the wolf was nevertheless was regarded as "other" by our native brothers. The wolf is never to be confused with his domesticated cousin the dog. The dog and the wolf are poles apart. The wolf had great powers given to him by the Great Spirit. The wolf it is said could change into a man and help a man out that was in trouble. The Sioux word for wolf is Skunkmanitu Tonka, (The animal that looks like a dog but has a powerful spirit).

Native Americans probably had three different breeds of dogs. They continued to breed these dogs to each other. Dogs were used for: their hair for weaving, their flesh among some tribes for food. They were used to pull travois and sleds, to pack food, panniers, and firewood, and to hunt game. These dogs were not pets. Any dog that proved to be a nuisance by getting into food catches or digging under tepees were quickly dispatched.

Crossing wolves and dogs would produce hybrids that were headstrong and dangerous, so Native Americans rarely tried this. Dogs several generations removed from the cross proved to be gentle, obedient, intelligent, and very hardy, but Native Americans were not interested in this kind of special breeding. More fundamentally, dogs and wolves were poles apart, and it was not deemed appropriate to mix them. The wolf has a soul in Nunamuite Eskimo eyes: not so their sled dogs. The wolf is an integral part of many religious ceremonies, the dog would be unceremoniously kicked out of any ceremonial lodge.

The Sioux men used to sing songs while they traveled. These were short songs of encouragement or songs about a lover or in praise of past deeds. These were collectively called wolf traveling songs by the Cheyenne. Such songs usually came to a warriors in their dreams. A warrior may also sing to call the wolves in song to eat the flesh of their enemies after a battle. A warrior may compare himself to a wolf. A wolf it is said has changed himself into human form to warn young men of dangers, where to find food, and what plants heal, and have the most nourishment.

Here is an example of one of the songs that was sung by a Sioux, Weasel Bear:

A Wolf I consider myself
But the owls are hooting
At daybreak I roam and the night I fear
Awake to who is following me
I roam At daybreak
I roam At daybreak
I roam Shivers coming up my spine
I roam Eyes in back of my head
I roam.

Information and photos used with permission from Running Wolf, my good friend & family member. All photos and information are copyright protected. For permission to use photos and/or information, or for further information on Running Wolf's shelter please email her Running Wolf

Divider

Sign GuestbookView Guestbook
Email WhiteFeather

Music "Wolf Cry"
Gingers Midis

Lil Kitty Graphics

This website and all content within are © WhiteFeather's Web Lodge 2003.
All rights are reserved.