An Introduction by Janine Pease Woman of the White Shells "You have a hard life to live" Heart of the Family White Painted Woman "We have never forgotten" Changing Woman and White Shell Woman Our Power "May our Mother bless you " Learning through listening A Woman of Value Family Life "May the Great Spirit protect my youth" "I am an old woman now"

Slide 9 of 14 I add my breath to your breath That our days may be long on the Earth That the days of our people may be long That we may be one person That we may finish our roads together May our Mother bless you with life May our life paths be fulfilled. —Song from the Keres Indians of Laguna Pueblo At the funeral of a chief woman, say: “Now we become reconciled as you start away. You were once a chief woman in the Five Nations’ Confederacy. You once were a mother of the nations. Now we release you for it is true that it is no longer possible for us to walk about together on the earth. Now, therefore, we lay it (the body) here. Here we lay it away. Now then we say to you, ‘Persevere onward to the place where the Creator dwells in peace. Let not the things of the earth hinder you. Let nothing that transpired while you lived hinder you. Looking after your family was a sacred duty and you were faithful. You were one of the many joint heirs of the Lordship titles. Feastings were yours and you had pleasant occasions. . .’ —From the Constitution of the Iroquois Nations