Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 117 



moreover, that they would indeed be available to us as food. (429) 

 And this you decided. (430) The way the wind is on the earth, (431) 

 when the wind becomes cold again, then it is that they will head back 

 to where it is warm. (432) But the people remain where they are. 

 (433) When the wind becomes warm again, then they return. With 

 all their voices they sing once more their beautiful songs. (434) 

 And then all those people who remain (435) hear their voices again, 

 when the birds with their beautiful voices return. (436) And then 

 indeed they remember you, those who are left, when indeed they 

 see them again. (437) They simply are thankful that they are 

 happy. (438) And you decided also, "They all will have names." 

 (439) People do indeed know weU what kind they are when they see 

 them. (440) And indeed it does not escape you that those who re- 

 main are no longer able to name them all, to give their Indian names. 



(441) And indeed we believe that it all still functions as you intended. 



(442) And again there is thanks that it all continues as you intended. 

 And our minds will continue to be so. 



12. The "Sisters" 



(443) And the entire group is thankful. (444) This is what you 

 did: you decided, "I shall leave on the earth for their happiness (445) 

 all the things that they wiU be harvesting." That is what you in- 



