Great Spirit, Creator, Dear Lord Jesus

Happy Wampanoag New Year Day.

We thank you for giving us the strength to bring us together today.

Without your daily blessings we ask, how can we continue as a people?

Give us the strength to understand the winds of tragedy.

Wrap your blessings around our children

As we look out the window from the Old Indian Church this day

Ancestors and family have held us together

And still do.

We carry their spirits with us.

We feel sad and cry sometimes. That’s k

We heal each other and pass it on.

This day we see the Sun

Many nights you bless us with Grandmother Moon.

Sending light to the “People of the First Light” Mashpee Wampanoag’s

Are blessings of life energy. We will not forget.

Many of us are now in mourning, with light we pray together.

Many of us are ill, with light we stay together.

Today we serve with honor, caring and recognition of our Wampanoag New Year Day.

My Prayer written May 3, 2014
By Joan Tavares Avant
(Mashpee Wampanoag Deer Clan Mother)
Read at our Old Indian Church
Native American Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 23, 2019-11am