by Deena Metzger

In the name of Raven. In the name of Wolf.
In the name of Whale.
Who have taught us. Who have guided us.
Who have sustained us. Who have healed us.

Please heal the animal kingdom.

In the name of Buffalo . In the name of Dolphin .
In the name of Whale. In the name of Snake.
Whom we have slaughtered. Whom we have feared.
Whom we have caged. Whom we have persecuted.
Whom we have slandered. Whom we have cursed.
Who we have tortured.

Please protect the animal kingdom.

In the name of Horse. In the name of Jaguar.
In the name of Coyote. In the name of Monkey.
Whose habitat we have stolen. Whose territory we have plundered.
Whose feeding grounds we have paved or netted.
Whose domain we have poisoned. Whose young we have killed.
Whose lives and ways of life we threaten.

Please restore the animal kingdom.

In the name of Raven. In the name of Wolf.
In the name of Whale. In the name of Snake.
Forgive us. Have mercy. May they return.
Not as a resurrection, but as living beings.
Here. On this Earth that is also theirs.

Oh Great Spirit. Please heal the animals.
Please protect the animals.
Please restore the animals.

So our lives may be healed.
So our souls may also return.
So our spirits may also be restored.

Oh spirit of Owl. Oh spirit of Elk.
Oh spirit of Otter. Oh spirit of Fox.

Teach us, again, how to live.

"Together with all nations we protect both land and life, and hold the world in balance." ~ Hopi Elders ~