Before hearing of the sad news of the death of our most revered member Queen Elizabeth II, I had chosen the Iroquois prayer below to reflect our Canadian roots in this, the month of our founding. As our Queen defended both faith and nature I hope you find it still fitting.
We return thanks to mother, the earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all the herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squash, which give us life.
We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit.
We return thanks to the wind which, moving the air, has banished diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and the stars, which have given us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to our grandfather He-no, who has given us his rain.
We return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to mother, the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.
- Iroquois Prayer
We also give thanks for the life and service of a truly great woman. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
- Submitted by Gill Gibson-Piggot, WFWI Trustee
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