The Legend

of Turtle Island

As Told by Abe Walkingbear

Long ago when animals talked and people did not, all people lived on Turtle Island. Each, while different was the same.

 

The Creator came to Turtle Island and said to the people: You are to divide into groups and go off in different directions. Each group will go through the cycles of time apart from the others. There will come a time when you will come back together, form the sacred circle and share what you've learned while apart, and there will be a time of peace and prosperity.

 

The group that went off to the South became known as the yellow race and the medicine wheel is painted yellow at the bottom. This group was given care of the air and all the birds found there.

 

The group that went off to the West became known as the black race and the medicine wheel is painted black on that side. This group was given care of the waters and the seas and all life found there.

 

The group that went off to the North became known as the white race, and the medicine wheel is painted white at the top. This group was given care of fire which in time became mathematics and science.

 

The group that went off to the East became known as the red race and the medicine wheel is painted red on that side. This group was given care of Mother Earth and all the animals and plants found there.

 

Each group was given the additional responsibility of remembering in their hearts that all men are brothers, that there is but one race.

While going through the cycles of time apart, the people learned to speak each in their own way, and in so doing they almost forgot that they had once all been alike.  Many came to think of each other as strangers.

We've learned much while apart and as the Creator promised, we are sharing what we've learned. In so doing, we're coming back together. We're remembering who we are.

I tell people that the U.S. is Turtle Island. We have people from every country in the world, of every culture, religion, sexual and political preference and yet we have no barricades. And even more amazing we take it for granted.

Those who would keep up apart have yet to learn that neither heat nor light is lost from sharing the camp fire. That when all people join the sacred circle we will have returned to Turtle Island and there will be Peace and Prosperity.

As our Lakota Brothers say:

"Mitakuye Oyasin"

(We are all relatives)