Author Archives: Michael Wayne

  FIRE: The altar of the Great Spirit, or Wakan-Tanka, which gives life to all things. PIPE: The bowl, a single point, is the focus of all space and all things. When this is fired, illumination fills the universe. SPIRIT … Continue reading →

THE PIPE OF PEACE In his striking analysis of the symbolic man of the Osage tribe Francis La Flesche called attention to this triplicate relation as centrally symbolized by the ceremonial pipe. In the ritual devoted to this pipe upon … Continue reading →

JOY HARJO was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She earned her BA from the University of New Mexico and MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.     SIMON ORTIZ was born near … Continue reading →