Along the Red Road

The coyote (Heyokah)--known to many Indigenous people as Trickster--is a teacher whose lessons bring both tears and laughter. The lessons of Trickster are those of learning to laugh and joke at life's difficulties. Seeing the humor in pain and suffering strengthens the spirit. Once we have learned the gift of laughter healing of the spirit begins. As I reflected on this visit from Trickster and Crow, my spirit revisited one of my most painful experiences. Over many years I had gathered precious gifts from my culture--things with special meaning to me--polar bear claws and crystals, eagle feathers and presentation pieces for my workshops. One night all were stolen, leaving me barren and empty.