AboutRenee Aun Expertise I have an extensive personal library on Native American Culture. What I don't know I can look up. I can also suggest reading material.
Experience This has always been an interest of mine. I have visited and stayed on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation twice.
Expert: Renee Aun Date: 5/28/2008 Subject: Calling a hawk for someone
Question A few years back, I was going through a difficult time ... a friend was dying of cancer. A Native American friend of mine said he was going to call a hawk to me. To my amazement, two days later I stepped out my front door and there it was, a hawk not more than 20 feet away from me, perched on a wire staring straight at me. Four days ago, a Native American elder friend of mine passed away. I had not seen him during his final days. I learned of his death two days ago. Since then a bird has been pecking at my window. It's not a hawk, but I don't know what kind of bird it is. It's not pecking just a few times. It has been pecking and flying up and down the window all day long for two days. At first I thought of the bird as a pest and that it was seeing its reflection in the window and displaying dominance toward what it thinks is a competitor, or possibly seeing its reflection and doing some sort of mating ritual. Then I thought, maybe my friend is telling me to come see him (he's lying in state at home with his family until burial tomorrow). Today I went to see him and layed fresh willow cuttings in his arms for his journey. I wonder if the bird will appear again tomorrow. I'd like to think it's my friend visitng me from the spirit world.
Answer Dear Rick,
First I'd like to express my sympathies for the loss of your friend.
Thank you for sharing your story. I believe that the only person who knows the meaning of an encounter is the person themselves. I am glad you went to see your friend for a final farewell.
I am curious...I have heard of willow trees being planted at burial sites in different cultures and used as a medicinal (it contains the same chemical as aspirin) in the Native culture, but never cuttings placed in a burial. Is this practiced by a specific tribe and what purpose does it serve? I hope you don't mind me asking, but there are always many things to learn.
