An Ojibway Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me! I come to you as one of your many children; I am weak... I am small...I need your wisdom and your strength.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunsets. Make my hands respect the things you have made, and make my ears sharp so I may hear your voice.
Make me wise so I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I ask for wisdom and strength not to be greater than my brothers and sisters, but to fight my greatest enemy-myself.
Make me always ready to come before you with clean hands and a straight eye, So as life fades away, as a fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.


Gete-anishinaabe Anami'ewin O'o gichi-Manidoo, O'o ogondaamaan noodinong, Gaye o'o gamiigiwaad bimaadiziwin o'omaa akiing, Noodawishin! Ni-dagaashinyi niniinamiz, Ni-noodi gagwezoongadam gaye jinibwakaadiziyan Bagidishin chi-babaamoseyaan, Gaye ga'ojiminwedamaan, Gaye ni-nishkiinzhig-oon chi-ganawaabadamaan, Ga'ozhaawshkwaa miskaa ga'ini-bangishimood giizis.
Ozhi-ayaan ni-nijiin chi-gichi'enendamaan Gakinagego ga-ozhitoowin, Gaye ni-taawaagan chinoodamaan gi-gondaagan.
Bagidishin chi-gikadamaan ashi gikinoo'amaawiidaa Ga'izhigaadowin o'maa aniibiishing gaye asining.
Ni-gagwezoogadam gaawiin chi-gagwa'odaawag nisayenh, Onjida betoo niin chi-miigaanoodizoyan, Giishipin nishkaadenidizoyan.
Ozhi-ayaa'ishin apane chi-ozhitaayaan, Gibe ayaa'an dago-gibininjiyaan, Gaye izhigwayak chi'inaabiyan.
Izhi-onji-bimaadiziwin agonaagwad, Ga-ani'izhi-agonaagwad gi-bangishimood giizis Gawiin awiya chi-wiinaanimaad, O'jichaagoon anitaagoshininid.