Welcome to Runningwolf Enterprises, Native Talking Sticks

The first questions I get about these are, "What are they for?" or "What do they say?" To answer the last question first: "They don't say a thing!" The answer to the second is a bit longer. In Council, Native Americans always sat in a circle, sometimes consisting of most of the Tribe, sometimes only the Chief and his counselors. Everyone (including women) were allowed to speak their opinions. This was the function of the Talking Stick. The stick was started around the circle from hand-to-hand. ONLY THE PERSON WITH THE STICK WAS ALLOWED TO TALK. When it got to you, you would give your opinion on the matter at hand and pass it on. The Chief and his counselors would listen to everyone, then make a decision according to all the input. These are all similar, but none are just alike. They are about 16-18" long and 1" in diameter. They are first covered with suede leather, then copper wire wrap and a crystal added on the top. These are standard. The beads, feathers, and decorations are variable, though if you want a certain type or color, I can do that for you. The feathers I used are mostly ones I find myself or that friends/relatives find for me. The top crystal is for attracting clear thoughts. The copper is for conduction of thoughts and the suede is for comfortable hold and beauty. These are $30.00 and are lovely on a wall or in a display.

The first one here is gray and decorated with pheasent feathers, turquoise nuggets and black glass crow beads. The second is rust and decorated with cornbeads (see jewelry page) and red, yellow, blue and white pony beads. (These colors are the four sacred colors for most Native American Tribes.) The feathers are, I think, dove and mockingbird, but I sometimes don't know what type of feathers are on the ground! Hope you like these. I have not seen them in shops, so I don't know if anyone else makes them.