Wayakin - In Vain

One time the wind blew free

And there was nothing to break the light of the sun

In a past that is now lost forever

There was a time when land was sacred

And the ancient ones were as one with it

A time when only the children of the Great Spirit were here

To light their fires in these places with no boundaries

When the forests were as thick

As the fur of the winter bearland

And a warrior could walk from horizon to horizon

On the backs of the buffalo

And during that time when there were only simple ways

I saw with my heart the conflicts to come

And whether it was to be for good or bad

What was certain was that there would be chance

Wayakin, summon strength and ward us from evil

Wayakin, a spirit with transformative powers

Wayakin, talisman of superhuman forces

Wayakin, the guardian spirit of the Nez Perce

We look to the bear, the owl and the eagle as our brothers

To teach us how to live

They talk to us, we listen

The bear tells us of our strength

The owl of our wisdom

And the eagle of our freedom

It is time for us to remember