I first had the honor of meeting Kevin Locke at the annual Neah Bay Spiritual Gathering “Makah Days” in August of 1977, hosted by the Makah Indian Nation and the Bahai's of Neah Bay. Over the three day event Kevin offered this prayer for us, along with several Baha'i prayers. Kevin and his mother Patricia A. Locke, were both members of the Baha'i Faith. Recently this prayer was read by a friend during a prayer circle. Over the years our family has returned to Neah Bay several times for Makah Days.
Here’s a link to this year’s Makah Days.
Makah Days 2025 https://makah.com/attractions/makah-days/
Kevin passed away on September 30, 2022. This link by the National Endowment of The Arts remembers Kevin for his accomplishments. https://www.arts.gov/stories/podcast/remembering-kevin-locke#:~:text=Thanks%20for%20listening.,and%201990%20National%20Heritage%20Fellow.
Kevin Locke (Tokaheya Inajin in Lakota translation “First to Rise”) is a world famous visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the Indigenous Northern Plains flute, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator. Kevin is Lakota and Anishnabe. While his instructions were received from his immediate family and community, from extended family in every part of the world, Kevin has learned many lessons in global citizenship and how we each can draw from our individual heritages to create a vibrant, evolving global civilization embracing and celebrating our collective heritage. https://kevinlocke.com/about-kevin-locke/
Patricia Locke, Tawacin WasteWin, she of good consciousness, compassionate woman, was born in Idaho, a Standing Rock Sioux-Hunkpapa Lakota, and Mississippi Band of White Earth Chippewa. She received her college education at the University of California at Los Angeles and became a world-renowned educator, making her home at the Standing Rock Lakota Reservation in South Dakota. https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/patricia-a-locke/
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit will come to you
without shame.
Chief Yellow Lark, a Lakota Sioux chief, is known for translating a prayer to the Great Spirit, also known as Wakan Tanka in Lakota spirituality. This prayer Emphasizes reverence for nature, the Great Spirit, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It reflects a deep spiritual connection to the universe and a plea for guidance and protection. https://luminaryquotes.com/quote/let-me-walk-in-beauty/
https://bahaiteachings.org/how-bahais-promote-recognition-indigenous-beliefs/
Web site of the International Community of the Baha'i Faith
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