Tiopa Ki Lakota Read Online Free PDF Page B

needs to ask for herself. She must be strong for herself.
    The silence continued for some time. It seemed to grow more comfortable as the sun moved across the sky rather than distressful. Cinksi mulled over her reasons for approaching the shaman, finally speaking up. " Wicahcala
    , I would like to seek a vision."
    The shaman nodded solemnly, his suspicions confirmed. "You did not receive one on the hill?" he asked.
    Cinksi blushed and ducked her head. " Hiya
    , wicahcala . I did not." She appeared to almost speak, but held back.
    "Tell me your thoughts, Cinksi," Inyan Ceye said. "I cannot help you if you do not."
    Her face flushing further, the girl said, "I do not see why the spirits would give me a vision that way, wicahcala . I did not seek a vision as my father did or his father before him." She shrugged a little and stared at the firepit before them. "I know that I am not hoksila , but I feel the spirits would want me to seek a vision as the other hoksila have. If I am to be a warrior, that would be the only way the spirits will speak to me."
    The shaman nodded with the same serious intensity. Again silence filled the immediate area as they both contemplated this turn of events. After some time, Inyan Ceye spoke up. "Then I must instruct you on seeking a vision, Cinksi, so that you might hear what the spirits have to say to you."
    The girl looked up in surprise, a glow in her dark eyes. "You will help me, wicahcala ?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
    " Hau , Cinksi. Now, go. I must prepare to teach you the way."
    " Ohan
    , wicahcala !" The girl jumped up, failing in her attempt to temper her excitement. "Thank you!"
    "Do not thank me, young warrior," Inyan Ceye intoned, though his dark eyes sparkled with humor. "It is you that must be clear and centered and able to receive a vision from wakan tanka ." He shooed her away, happy to see the life return to her as she ran off. It had been disheartening to see her moping about the camp this last week.
    The shaman inhaled deeply and looked down at the fur pouch he had been making. It is time to smoke a pipe and prepare the spirit banners. He set the project aside and rummage around for his pipe and tobacco.
     
    Cinksi ducked out of the oinikaga tipi
    , her body slick from the sweat the heat inside caused. She was wearing only a breechclout and moccasins, as was prescribed by the elders of her camp. Outside the rounded lodge, she picked up a leather bag that she slung across her shoulders and a buffalo robe. These would be the only things she would take on her quest for a vision.
    It was still dark out, the coolness in the air despite the season causing her to shiver. Cinksi pulled the robe tighter around her shoulders and moved into the darkness.
    Time passed and soon the sun was high in the sky. The girl had removed the robe, not expecting to meet anyone out in the wilderness of the northern plains. Rolling hills rose around her and she considered which would be the proper place to make a stand for her vision. The warm breeze of summer caressed her back and she felt goose bumps arise at the oddity. She'd been forced to wear a shirt for the last two winters. It was good to be free of it as she'd been as a child.
    Cinksi finally found a hillock that felt right and began to climb. Her stomach indicated that it was now nearing dinner as she reached its summit and looked around. This will do well , she thought with respect.
    She removed the pouch and set it aside with the robe. As the shaman had instructed, she began clearing a patch of ground of all life. The area was longer than she was tall and as wide as her reach. When her chore was complete, she gathered the robe and pouch and stepped within.
    Now, she could not leave until the spirits blessed her with a vision or until she gave up.
    Cinksi began saying the prayers she had been taught by the elders as she opened the pouch. Carefully, she drew out four tiny bundles about the size of her thumb. Each was attached to the