Talking sticks

[Colin-Partridge]

Hi gang well I attended a workshop last year at a horse ranch. I had done a totem for the ranch and delivered it in the spring last year. The lady was so pleased she asked me to design a Talking Stick for her spirit lodge pow wow's. I did and then on her invite attend one of her workshops. For those of you who do not know the First Nations Legend of the Talking stick I will include it as the next post on this thread. To make a long story even longer I voluteered to carve her eight talking sticks for her next workshops. Well here are the talking sticks I designed and carved and created out of Staghorn Sumac. I will include pictures of them all together and closeup on the next two messages and then on the third the legend of the talking stick as I know it. I have to tell you that I attended our local public school as they were doing a project on the rain forrests and had been approached to have them construct something of significance for the project. I explained to the children that sometimes when we all speak together we go unheard. Individually we speak loud and clear and without interuption then everyone listens. So all the children (650) of them made a talking stick and their ideas and stories were out of this world. An extreamly great week and these children all learned a valuable lesson. When your mouth is moving you learn nothing but by opening your ears and listening is the only time you learn. Well enough of my babbling I just wish that all our polititions would use a talking stick in their everyday lives.
Thanks for listening to this etcentric old man I just think that sometimes the simple things in life are so much more important.
Colin

[Colin-Partridge]

More pictures

[Colin-Partridge]

T

he talking stick has been used for centuries by the First Nations tribes as a means of just and impartial hearing. The talking stick was commonly used in council circles to designate who had the right to speak. When matters of great concern came before council, the leading elder would hold the talking stick and begin the discussion. When he finished what he had to say he would hold out the talking stick, and whoever wished to speak after him would take it. In this manner the stick was passed from one individual to another until all who wished to speak had done so. The stick was then passed back to the leading elder for safe keeping.
S

ome tribes used a talking feather instead of a talking stick. Other tribes might have a peace pipe, wampum belt or sacred shell, or some other object by which they designate the right to speak. Whatever the object it carries respect for free speech and assures the speaker he has the freedom and power to say what is in his heart, without fear of reprisal or humiliation. The sticks can be made from any tree; each tree has its own special meaning. This stick is made from oak which symbolizes strength and courage.
W

hoever holds the talking stick has within his hands the sacred power of words. Only he can speak while he holds the stick; the other council members must remain silent. The eagle feather attached to the stick gives him the courage and wisdom to speak truthfully and wisely. The rabbit fur on the stick reminds him that his words must come from the heart and they should be soft and warm. The blue stone will remind him that the Great Spirit hears the message in his heart as well as the words he speaks. The shell, iridescent and ever changing, reminds him that all creation changes – the days, the seasons, the years – and people and situations change, as well. The four colours of beads – yellow for the sunrise (east) red for the sunset (west) white for the snow (north) and green for the earth (south) – are symbolic of the powers of the universe he has in his hands at the moment to speak what is in his heart. The leather thong that holds the beads is made from the hide of the great moose. He who speaks may do so with the power and strength of this great animal. The wild turkey feather attached to the beads brings peaceful attitudes as well as the give and take necessary in successful completion of disputes.
T

he speaker should not forget that he carries within himself a sacred spark of the Great Spirit, and therefore he is also sacred. If he feels he cannot honour the talking stick with his words, he should refrain from speaking so that he does not dishonour himself. When he is again in control of his words, the stick will be returned to him. The talking stick is the tool that teaches us to honour the sacred points of view of every living creature


Colin H. Partridge (Artist)

[Bill Anderson]

these are wonderful! I think they are great...

[Merle Rice]

Hey Colin, to make it short, I like them all. Since you put your Chain Saw down for a while I think you are getting better. I think these are your best so far. Merle

[GaryMc]

Hello Collin, What a neat idea, I love all of your talking sticks! You did a great job on them my friend!
GaryMc

[fpace]

Colin... these are just beautiful... the colors and the glyphs add so much too!

[tomrsey]

Colin - Great job on the sticks!
Would that all would see the wisdom in it.

[Tom Ellis]

What a wonderful lesson Colin, We should all be so respectful. Thanks for telling us your story, and showing us your talking sticks.

Tom

[markken5889]

Hey Colin,

Very cool. I've known of talking sticks for some time now, but never thought to carve one. Great job!

Mark