A Chickasaw Prayer – Ruth Billingsley

I am 1/64 Chickasaw and grew up in Oklahoma. My grandmother, Maggie Mae Johnston Marti (1887-1972) was an original Chickasaw Nation enrollee. She lived in Washington and Purcell, Oklahoma and is the granddaughter of Judge Thomas Bates Johnston (1819-1897) Chief Justice of the Chickasaw Nation of the town of Byars, Oklahoma.

Maggie was 18 or 19 when this picture was made. At that time she was making her own clothes and also sewing some for others.

My Aunt Alvera Walker (1921-2014) asked me to write a Chickasaw poem so this is dedicated to her.

An Indian Prayer to God

Father of the golden mountains;
Maker of the eagle’s flight;
Giver of the river’s waters
And the glowing moon at night.

Grant us peace among our brothers.
Give us joy within our souls.
May our paths be filled with beauty,
As we see each dawn unfold.

Grant us strength, wisdom, and honor.
Guide us by Your mighty wind.
May we see that perfect sunset,
As we reach our journey’s end.

For Alvera