How do I begin to tell you my story of how I was led to the "Red Road" of Native American philosophy? I can only start with what I do remember most in the beginning.

I remember most, the crow, the winged one who tried very hard to get my attention, although at the time, I didn't know that is what this crow was doing. He came to visit me on my property and stayed for three days walking around on the ground without flying away. He was also dropping feathers as he came toward me then scooted away, as if trying to get me to follow him.

Then on the third day I saw him sitting on the ground in front of my small barn. At that same moment, my dog noticed him too. And there she ran toward him. Suddenly I saw him keel over, as if he had dropped dead, literally. I thought he was dead and that the shock of seeing a dog run toward him is how it may have happened.

I could feel my heart race, as I ran outside, crying, I felt so bad. When I came to him, I put gloves on picked the crow up gently and placed him in a blanket in order to bury him. But within just a few minutes, up his head popped and he was cawing at me. He didn't move from the blanket or try to hop or even try to fly away. So, I picked him up amazed that he was okay and drove us both to the vet. I was singing to him along the way and he was cawing at me and playing with my glove with his beak. This bird never once tried to hurt me, fly around in the car or peck at me.

The vet who also takes care of wildlife, looked him over, checked him out and said, there really wasn't any injury at all. I was truly surprised at that too! Anyway, after the vet gave the okay on his health, this crow was to be set free by the vet's receptionist. I was told the next day, that just before he was to be set free, this crow suddenly died! I was shook up when I heard that news! I immediately made a long distance call to a medicine woman named Rene Anderson whom I had met and who was teaching me some things concerning Native American Philosophy.

This medicine woman told me that the crow came for me. Crow gave his life for me and that, from this day on, I would learn whatever I needed to know concerning the good "Red Road". Doesn't mean I'd have to know everything. But I would be led to whomever and whatever was needed. She also said that one day I would see this crow in a dream. And that one day came and I did. I saw him in my dreams sitting on my arm, and I was training him and he was training me. I was so happy I saw him!

Another experience happened concerning the crow. It was in the middle of winter, I was sad, lonely and having to sell my house. It was a bleak time for me. I decided to venture into the metro parks, which in Northern Ohio is called the Emerald Necklace or Metro Parks. It is miles of forest like trees, paths, horse and bike riding trails, and oh, how beautiful the river is there too. I went to a particular place where there is a large, vibrating, very old rock. This huge rock with its flat surface is large enough for several people to sit on at once. It is called Squaw Rock and draws many people to come and stand or sit on this powerful, old and wise stone person.

Well, this particular winter day, no one was there walking on the trail leading to this rock. The snow was gently falling and branches were bare. Mother Earth was being softly blanketed by Father Sky and the North Power to help her rest more deeply and comfortably. I was alone walking on this trail leading to Squaw Rock. And it wasn't cold enough, either, to stop me from going to where I knew I needed to be. So, upon this sacred rock I climbed. I put up prayer bundles as I was shown to do, cleaned off the top of the rock and sat down. I gave my thanks and respect and prayed. Well, the praying was more like crying my eyes out; I was so sad and miserable.

Suddenly, I heard a voice of a woman. She gave her name. It was Crow Woman. I was startled! Then I saw falling from the sky toward me was a crow feather. It appeared literally out of thin air! I was excited, thankful, and also nervous that's for sure. I wished someone else were here with me to witness what had just happened. While I was still sitting down, I received the impression to look around me. I did, and at each of the four corners of this sacred rock representing each direction, lay smaller crow feathers. They hadn't been there before! I know. I had thoroughly cleaned off the entire surface before I sat down! Well, that was over the top for me! I was speechless, as I felt a wave of love touching my heart from this woman spirit. I thanked God, the Creator and her, gathered up the feather apport and some of the smaller feathers, then ran up the snowy trail back to my car.

When I got home, I immediately called Rene, the medicine woman again. This time, before I could speak the spirit entity's name, this medicine woman did! Rene then said that I would never be the same again and that what I had experienced was real, a gift, and related to healing "medicine" and more. She also said that one day I might understand more of what this powerful experience had meant.

A few years later when I told these experiences to Eagle Man, Ed McGaa, Oglala Sioux teacher and author, he at first said, "How can it be that you could pick up a crow in your hands and it let you?" And then he said the same thing Rene did about the crow I had picked up was a male who was telling me to learn more. And Eagle Man didn't know the crow was a male, nor what the medicine woman had told me I didn't tell him that part of it. So, that was my double check, meaning confirmation of the truth of the message of crow to me. And based on these above true experiences and others he had listened to, Eagle Man, Ed McGaa, gave me one of my natural names which is Rainbow Crow Woman. I also have another name that was given to me by someone else of which I do not reveal.

The above experiences were true ones that happened well over 9 years ago. And yes, today I do know what those experiences have meant. I also have blended both my faith as a Spiritualist Medium my knowledge about the good "Red Road" together. What I was led to and shown has been very harmonious with my faith and belief as a Spiritualist as well.

I don't know everything there is to know about Native American philosophy. I only know what I was shown, what I was led to and what I can share about that. If there is more I am meant to know, so be it, if it is the Creator's Will. f not, then what I have learned already is enough.

Spirit knew what Spirit was doing, even though I did not know why I was led in the direction I was toward Native American Philosophy. But I soon learned I was led there to be reminded and to keep remembering that we are all related, that all are our brothers and sisters. I was taught to remember that all is alive with the energy of Great Spirit, God, or by whichever name you choose to glorify the Creator. And that we are to be good true human beings who watch over, respect, and take care of God's creatures the fish, the 4-legged, the winged ones, and the insects too. They provide for us in many ways. We need to respect that. Also, the berries, fruits and vegetables, all that Mother Earth gives us, comes from the Creator to her, to us. We lose sight of this intricate harmony and balance and that is one of the main reasons we are out of balance.

I was taught to remember that nothing is intangible really, and that the Creator makes all--even the telephone poles we see standing straight and tall against a blue sky on that back road. I was taught to remember that the trees, the plants, the flowers have families too, and are to be respected when we chop them down, or snatch them up or cut them off. Ask permission first. Gift next, and thank them all for being there for you from the Creator.

Above all, this is what I was taught to remember each day, everyday. I was reminded to wake up each day and thank the Creator for my life and to say, "It is a good day to die." If I do that daily, I would begin living my life much differently than before and learn to live it more fully. I have begun to live my life differently.

Yes, over time I was shown certain ceremonies. And yes, certain other healing skills came forward from my learning of certain Native American philosophy. Yes, again, I have a much deeper understanding of the animal kingdom and how they work also as guides for us from the Creator. I have also learned and can share much about the powers of the directions the Great Spirit, gave to us.

But most importantly, I remembered more of what I had also forgotten. All are related and need to be respected. We are here to live in harmony in the hoop of life. We are here to respect nature and what Mother Earth provides for us. And, that following the Natural Way is really one of the best solutions for us.

The learning I received from certain Native American medicine healers and teachers provided me with a sense of feeling connected that I was lacking before. I didn't feel as complete for some reason. Somehow before then, I felt separate from nature and the wind and moon and the sun. I looked up and around and saw them and felt what they gave or didn't give against my skin, but not a part of it, like they were my family.

It was the same with the trees and plants before my going back to remember. I loved nature and the woods and plants and animals, yes, but being one with them, or treating them respectfully like a friend, a teacher, a guide, or a family member, not really. Now I do feel all those things in my heart.

I wish you heart-centered feelings and belonging with all things on your journey through life. I wish you a walk along the rainbow trail of beauty, harmony and feeling connected.

Mitakuye Oyasin, which means "we are all, related."