Walking Spirit in a Native Way

bookhaven__ 's review Nov 14, 2025 it was amazing!!! “Walking Spirit in a Native Way” is the first book I’ve read by James B. Beard. Although James believed he was living the American dream, he still felt an inner void—something essential was missing. This sense of incompleteness led him on a search for deeper meaning. His first teacher on this journey was Misho, an Ojibwe elder. Misho guided Noodin, helping him learn more about who he truly was. Over the years, Noodin absorbed Misho’s teachings, which ultimately shaped the person he would become. When Misho once asked him, “Who is Noodin?”, the question unsettled him—he realized he couldn’t answer something so fundamental. Even during his childhood in Sunday school, James found himself questioning th...

M’naa den d’mowin (respect). Respect everyone, all humans and all things created. Regard each with esteem and consideration. Allow others to believe in their own reality. One of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers according to the stories of the Anishinaabe people. Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Love, Bravery, Truth ~ Mashkode bizhiki~ Totem Animal ~ [buffalo] Buffalo carries himself with a quiet authority, teaching respect through his actions rather than words. He reminds us that all life is deserving of honor — the Creator, the self, the people, and every being who shares this world. From Buffalo we learn that respect is not a single act, but a way of walking. WALKING SPIRIT IN A NATIVE WAY by James B Beard Buy this at stores her e! Please share this article

Zoon gide’iwin (bravery).  Bravery to do things even in the most difficult times. Be ready to defend what you believe and what is right. Always stand up for the people. One of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers according to the stories of the Anishinaabe people. Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Love, Bravery, Truth ~Mukwa~ Totem Animal ~ [bear] Bear stands as a guardian of family and community, moving with quiet strength and unwavering purpose. He carries the medicines of healing and teaches us to protect what is right, to nurture what is fragile, and to defend the well‑being of the people. In his presence, we learn courage rooted in compassion, and responsibility grounded in love. WALKING SPIRIT IN A NATIVE WAY by James B Beard Buy this at stores her e! Please share this article

An interview with Story Teller James B. Beard. Author of "Walking Sirit in a Native Way ~ White Mocs on the Red Road" Truly unique and insightful! Through the voice of James, also known as Noodin, the author shares his transformative thirty year spiritual journey under the guidance of an elder from the Ojibwe Nation.   Hear his story in his own words  James Beard aka Noodin                Cultural Storyteller, Educator, Speaker,                Author ...

Conversation with Woodpecker   Woodpecker Came to Visit!                           By James B. Beard aka Noodin   Most people probably don't talk to animals. Or do they? I guess one turning point from reality is when animals start talking to people. Wasn't that something taken away by Spirit a long time ago because of man's lack of respect for animals? Most Spirit teachings say that. Maybe it is something to be gifted back at some point. I don't know.   I don't know much, and the longer I walk on this Earth it seems, the less I really know. There is a kind of progression in living that leads one to assume that each discovery in life is a contribution to a wider knowledge of all that is. As these discoveries continue, one realizes that the knowledge gained only creates more questions. Wisdom, it seems, is the realization that we really don't know a lot about anything. In th...

  Gwe kwaad ziwin (honesty) Be honest in every action and provide good feelings in the heart. Do not be deceitful or use self-deception. One of the Seven Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers according to the stories of the Anishinaabe people. Wisdom, Respect, Honesty, Humility, Love, Bravery, Truth ~Amik~ Totem Animal ~ [beaver] Beaver demonstrates diligence in protecting the family and helping his brothers and sisters in the forest by demonstrating honesty in his work. WALKING SPIRIT IN A NATIVE WAY by James B Beard Buy this at stores her e! Please share this article

You of little brain! Smarter than we think! The great minds of science know so much and yet ~ Do they really? I read an article recently where researchers determined that animals don’t really reason or think. They only respond instinctively to their habitat and in accordance with the particular evolution of their species. Some scientists disagree but this is the generally accepted thought. In the spring the park where I worked received our firewood packs to offer to campers. We keep a large supply at headquarters and a usage supply near our store for customers. The day the firewood was delivered I was on duty as ranger at the gate of the park. The truck rolled up with the firewood. I asked him to leave a couple of pallets of the firewood at the gate and then unload the rest of the supply in our storage yard. The driver unloaded three pallets and left the gate to deposit the rest of his load. I opened the shed and began putting the firewood packages in the storage shed. I unloaded the f...

When wolf steps in!   Though I have been attending Native American ceremonies for a few years, there were still many native people who would basically be cordial, but distant.  Especially the women of the tribe.  An Anglo stands out in this population and the people have become leery  of visitors to their sacred ceremonies.   This particular ceremony was in the fourth day and it was nearing midnight. The ceremonies were ongoing and started early in the morning for that day. It now was almost midnight. I was standing near the doorway of the teaching lodge listening to the teachings being given in the form of oral stories of the people. An art and a way that is timeless in passing of the knowledge of the people. To my surprise, a young woman in her early twenties walked up to me as I stood near the lodge doorway listening to the teachings being given inside.  “ Excuse me ”, she said, “I want to ask if you could help me.  I need a ride back to m...

  DECEPTION Photo by: James B Beard aka Noodin Deer is still Every sound a sign A stick that snaps Deer are running  Wolf pauses in his step Every scent is telling A foe might be present Wolf is on the move  Trees are bending Bows break and miss-shape What was up is down What was calm is disturbed  Wind is blowing Messages travel Leaves swirl Invisible motion  Snake slithers in the grass Silent and foreboding Curled up under a rock Ready to strike  Earth seems to move Shadows fool the ground A stream takes new form Everything changes  Crow calls loudly Gathering the murder What do they hide Following the motion  Blue Jay sounds an alarm Something is coming What does he know Does anyone hear  Eagle looks down Watches all things Watches all things Watches all things   January 26, 2018  Noodin GET THE MESSAGE OUT! Please Share the articles! Buy this book        Walking Spirit in a Na...