Wolf is power. Wolf is honor. Wolf is integrity. Brother Wolf; Sister Wolf -- I honor you

Feared and hated by men the world over, the mighty wolf has been plagued by all forms of evil stories, myths and legends. Hunted, trapped and killed to the point of extinction, many of these majestic animals are gone forever -- their breeds and blood lines never to be seen again.

In spite of the many horror stories of wolves hunting, tracking and killing humans, no such event has ever been confirmed. Their eerie and lonely howl, which can make the blood run cold, is merely their form of communication. Each howl, with its tone, depth, length and frequency carries a different message to the pack, or to the partner who is out of sight. They're merely "talking".

If you carry wolf medicine, here are some characteristics that sound familiar to you:

You are fiercely loyal -- to friends, family, ideals and principles. There is no compromise for you.

You are very territorial. You protect all that is yours and your family's at any expense. You are fearless in your protection, but not reckless. You plan your strategy carefully, and wait for the opportune moment for most powerful effect.

You have a strong family structure. There is no doubt who the elders, patriarchs and parents are, or about their roles in the family structure. Disobedience, selfishness and unruly behavior is not tolerated as there are strong boundaries for the young. They are taught well and carefully so that they may assume leadership roles in their own family structures.

You have an unrelenting sense of adventure. You love to explore new things, to stretch out for new horizons. You have a thirst for knowledge and for learning new things. You are eager to share these things, which makes you a natural teacher. Your adventures may take you away from home and family, but it is important that you have this base of security to return to.

You have an unrelenting need to be alone. You are so busy being the protector, the provider, the teacher, and the trailblazer, that it's very easy for you to become exhausted and burned out. In order to re-charge your spirit, and keep your balance, it is critical that you have time to be alone with your thoughts and your own sense of self. This is one side of your nature that must not be overlooked. Even if you lock yourself in the bathroom for 15 minutes a day, the time alone must be honored if you are to have value to those you care for.

 WOLF

He stands alone always watchful, ever vigilant
His stature brings us courage and pride
He guards that which is most precious to us
The pathway to our souls

We watch his beauty in awe
His presence lends flight to our dreams and fears
When we look into our secret wishes
He is what we long to see

He brings comfort and unease
We trust in his strength and light
Yet we fear, for he knows that which is in our hearts
We yearn to be near that which is wild and free

He is the guardian of the wood, master of all who bide within
He will welcome you to his domain, provided you pay his price
The task is always hard, but never cruel
Tis' but a small price to pay for the reward you will reap

Most would do anything for the love of a Wolf.

With eyes closed and head tilted upward, the Wolf sends forth its timeless haunting song. On quiet nights, a single howl can be heard for over 50 square miles. Howling serves as long-distance communication, reuniting pack members that have separated to hunt. These lingering calls also help Wolves to define their territory. Neighboring packs chorus back and forth throughtout the night, announcing their presence and proclaiming their land. Human listerners remain profoundly mystified by these ancient cries.

Back in 1959, researchers working in Algonquin Park discovered that wolves answer humans when we imitate their howls. Since then, groups of more than a thousand people have been gathering together in Algonquin Park each summer for public wolf howls.

  Wolves use a number of different howls. One of the most often used is a call to reassemble when the pack has become scattered. This howl is a deep, loud, and guttural sound often with a few barks. After a long chase the pack is often widely scattered and needs to reassemble. Wolves don't howl during a hunt.

  A howl of sheer joy is often heard as a pack gathers or just before the pack sets out on a hunt. This social howl celebrates togetherness, pleasure, and friendship. It makes the wolves get up from their resting spots or gather near the den. They will romp about with much tail wagging, sniffing, pawing, hugging, and pressing against each other. Finally the wolves will howl together.
The social or group howl is also used as a warning to wolves in neighbouring territories. It announces the pack's territory and warns other packs to stay away. This howl is most often heard during the mating season or while the pack is at the den or resting sites.

  The last major type of howl is one of loneliness. This is a rising and falling sound with a long slide at the end. This howl is heard mostly during the mating season when a wolf is looking for a possible mate.

  The wolf howl has become an important tool for studying wolves. The wolves tendancy to respond to a howl made by a human has allowed scientists to reliably locate wolves in the summer to determine the age, sex, individual identity, and other important information about the howling wolf.

  As a result of a fifteen-year study in Minnesota researchers were able to determine not only where in the territory the wolf was located but also which individual wolf was howling. The researcher found that just over half (54%) never responded to the howl but remained silent and often left the area. The rest not only stayed in the area but answered back. A few times one or two of the individuals from the pack actually approached within 50 metres of the researchers. It was also found that wolves were far more likely to respond during the mating season or when the pups had left the den and were occupying the resting sites. Adults were much more likely to answer when pups were present, or when they were at a fresh kill, or when the pack was large. Lone wolves never answered unless they were the top (alpha ranking) wolf in the pack.

  Wolves responding to a howl from an unknown wolf are warning the intruder that they will hold their territory. This explains why wolves howl when they have a mate, pups, or a source of food to defend. Since the top-ranking wolves have nothing to fear, they are the only lone wolves to howl back and to approach a strange wolf. Those lone wolves who travel outside their home territory remain silent because meeting with strange wolves almost always leads to a fight. Such fights often prove fatal to the stranger.

Respect the Elders

Teach the Young

Cooperate with the Pack

Play when you can

Hunt when you must

Rest in between

Share your Affection

Voice your Feelings

Leave your Mark

The Iroquois word which is translated in English as "clan" in fact means "Your presence on Earth carries responsibility".
  The Clan system has existed within the Iroquois Confederacy for centuries. One of these clans is the Otha yu:ni or the Wolf Family Clan.
  The deeper meaning of Otha yu:ni in the language speaks of making a path and leading of providing a way for there to be unity on the path for everyone in the house. This path is the journey Ukwehuwe or travel during a lifetime. Otha yu:ni, the wolf, has the responsibility of working to keep the family together and keeping unity among those who must live together. At the same time, the individual is given the opportunity to have their own vision and dreams. In the world of the Creator, Otha yu:ni provides an example of individualism being able to exist within the collective group.
  Otatshehta is the name of the first Otha yu:ni family clan. The Peacemaker recognized that this family, which is represented by a figure that carries a quiver, which holds two arrows, would be a provider of food as well as the protector of the security of the Nation. This title carries the burden of peace and sustenance. Their responsibility is to ensure there is peace among the families and common agreement as to the direction of travel.
  Kanyukwe Nyo tu is the name of the second Otha yu:ni family clan. The Peacemaker saw that this family had the responsibility to store the parched corn for sustenance in times when food was scarce. The parched corn was the main food for the long winters and was intended to ensure the long-term survival of people. The corn could be stored and kept for years. This title carries the responsibility for ensuring this tradition is maintained. The stored parched corn represents a foundation for our future.
  Tehoha kwahtu is the name of the third Otha yu:ni family clan. The Peacemaker recognized this family is the one who had a clear vision into the other side of the path. When the other side of the path is stated, the meaning is taken to be the spiritual side of life including the meaning of the visions, dreams, and events of the people and the nation as a whole.
  In broad general terms each clan has certain responsibilities. The description of responsibilities provided for each clan is not limited to just those responsibilities described. The brief description of responsibilities is presented as the description of the primary obligations of each of the Clans. These words are presented as a guide for each family clan not as determinative. Each person is encouraged to continue to explore and expand their knowledge on the responsibilities of the Clan system. As the people do this, they will come to a better awareness of their identity.
  Otha yu:ni or the Wolf Family Clan had responsibilities in the following areas: Thinking; Safety; Public Safety Children; Financial Management; Policy, Internal vs. External; Security

Defenders of Wildlife
The German Wolf Association
Haliburton Wolf Research Centre
International Wolf Center
Mission: Wolf -- Sanctuary For Wolves
Northern Lights Wildlife
The Red Wolf Sanctuary
Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN)
U.K. Wolf Conservation Trust