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For thousands of years
The Creator provided
Strong and gifted men and women
Who could lead and help their People.
The bands could not survive without wise,
Strong, moral and spiritual leaders.

There were ceremonial chiefs
Who led the prayers of the People.
There were hunting chiefs
And a salmon chief.
The main chief, the son of chiefs,
Or a man chosen by his people to lead,
Directed the overall movement of the band.

It was his way
To consult the Elders
And the other chiefs, listening carefully
Before making a decision on matters
Concerning the welfare of his People.

He was expected to be
A man of courage, integrity, and wisdom.
His decisions could mean
The life or death of his People.

There were medicine men,
Bluejays, who could appear and disappear,
Going many miles in an instant,
Seeing and finding what
No one else could see or find.
These men sometimes had powers
For healing even the very sick.

There were gifts of power
For warriors, hunters, and fisherman.
There were men and women with powers
For winning at gambling.
The people enjoyed the stick game
And like racing fast horses.