Water Invites Reflection

Seen through Native eyes, the land and water are alive, and rocks, trees, meadows, and rivers each possess their own life spirit. In Ponca culture, Mother Earth is a powerful force in everyday life, and the people, the land, its animals, and the cosmos are understood as connected and interrelated. Water holds a special place in many ceremonies and life events. Springs are sometimes seen as places where spirits may come and go, crossing from one world to another. Ponds invite contemplation and reflection, rivers and streams once served as highways for travelers, and rain is precious. Water is an important symbol in Ponca funerals and dances, and it is the lifeblood of the people and all living things. Aythayh Wahngheathayh expresses this interconnection as “all my relatives.”

Nebraska · United States