by Mary M. Redoutey

Created on: May 01, 2009

His voice was weak as he said, "The spirits of the Ancestors are here, I see them." The Native American from the Dakota tribe was clearly seeing something. Here he was, her beloved husband, and he was dying of a severe infection which modern medicine could not cure. He said, "I see Little Crow. I see your mother. I see my granddparents... Do you see them too over there?" His wife said that she saw them too... all coming to assist in his transition. She said the place was filled with the Ancestors. She knew that meant that he would be protected and guided on the journey to the Spirit World, and that his soul would know which way to travel.

When my adopted or "hunka" relation, He Who Walks With Many Bears, died I got a chance to see death through the eyes of many Native Americans as many gathered around his bedside... offering prayers around his bedside... And when they could also going outside to smoke the Sacred Pipe (known by the Native Peoples as the Cannupa) on his behalf, burning sage and praying with the Eagle feather for a good transition, and singing various songs to assist in his passing.

When, he was taken off the respirator and died awhile later... 7 p.m. in bed 7 on the 7th of March... I saw one man, a Lakota elder, bend down over him to take his last breath in the Cannupa and then saw him carry that breath outside and release it so it could fly home to be with his family.

I watched as He Who Walks With Many Bears died and his wife and children were comforted by those who gathered. They were told that he still lived. They knew that he would continue to be with them but they mourned the loss of the physical body. They sobbed and wailed. They were hugged and were companioned through that time by their friends and other family members... some Native Americans and some not as He Who Walks With Many Bears had a habit of adopting relations in the Lakota tradition and it did not matter to him whether they were Native or not, as long as they were kind-hearted.

I saw his sons cut off one of their father's braids in the hospital almost immediately after he died. I later saw them with their own heads shorn along with that of their mother and sister as it is traditional for relatives and close friends of Native Americans from the Lakota tribe to cut their hair as a sign of respect and love for those who have died.

The memorial for He Who Walks With Many Bears was held at his home. His body was dressed in a ribbon shirt made by a friend. He was holding in his hand

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