Native American Talking Stick Craft

Native American Talking Stick

The Talking Stick is a tool traditionally used by Native Americans when a council is called. It was a visual queue as to who had the right to talk during the gathering. The talking stick would be passed from person to person as their turn came to speak. Only one person was allowed to speak at once. This method encouraged other council members to listen to the speaker and be respectful of the person’s viewpoint during their turn with the talking stick. The idea was that the viewpoint of each member of the council would be valued even if they didn’t all agree.

While the traditional talking stick can be quite ornate and each part of the stick symbolic of something valued by the tribe, a talking stick can also be quite simple. Ultimately, the idea was have a tangible object that allowed people to visually see who was given the opportunity to speak which allowed each member of the tribe to be honored and respected (in theory) during the council meeting.

I thought it would be fun to make our own talking stick. While I have a supply list shown below, you can make this as simple or as elaborate as you wish. I chose to use the Navajo color symbols

Supplies:

• Stick roughly 12″ long – remove bark and sanded until smooth
• 1 Yard Suede Cord
• Blue Bead symbolizes The South, Mount Taylor
• Black Bead symbolizes The North, Hesperus Peak
• White Bead symbolizes The East, Blanca Peak
• Yellow Bead symbolizes The West, San Francisco Peaks
• Faux Fur (different furs symbolize different things, see Legends below)
• Feather (different types of bird feathers symbolize different things, see Legends below)
• Tacky Glue or Hot Glue
• Scissors
• Leather (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make sure the stick that you are using is well sanded as you do not want splinters. Another alternative is wrapping the stick in leather to create a soft surface.
2. Cut a strip of fur 1″ wide (the length will depend on your stick as you want it to wrap around the stick). Wrap it around the end of a stick gluing in place using either tacky glue or hot glue depending on the type of fur – a heavier fur will do better with hot glue. Some of the fur will You can do this just on the bottom of the stick or on both the bottom and the top. Use your creativity. Some talking sticks even have fur in the middle of the stick as well.
3. Secure the end of the fur that is completely on the stick with glue then wrap the suede cord around it. Make sure that you leave some of the suede cord dangling so you can attach the beads and feather(s).
4. Slide the beads onto the end of the dangling suede cord. You can have only one bead strand or multiple bead strands. Dab the end of a feather in glue and push it up into the bottom bead to secure.

Further Study:

You can learn more about the symbolism of the different items used in the walking stick at First People – The Legends. It’s interesting to note that different tribes had different meanings for colors as well as other things. While some tribes saw yellow as a positive thing (such as illumination), the Cherokee saw it as a simple for trouble or strife. You can learn more about how the meanings of colors played out in Navajo culture with this brief study.

Other Options:

If you’re using this in a church setting, you could use the same color beads as are in the salvation bracelet instead of using the Native American symbolism. (ESV version used for the verses)

• Black – Sin is what separates us from God. We choose to disobey God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
• Red – Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, paying the price and penalty for our sin. He provided the only way to God. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Roman 5:8
• White – When we become a Christian God cleanses us from all unrighteousness and washes us whiter than snow. “You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” 1 John 3:5 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
• Blue – One of our first acts of obedience is to publicly confess our faith through baptism. “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:41
• Green -We must now grow as a believer in all areas of our life. Looking at Jesus as our example. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
• Gold – If we have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we have the promise of a home in heaven. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3