I happened across this book in the strangest way. It certainly makes a person wonder when something like this happens. Only a few days before I purchased this book, I had the distinct pleasure of talking to Terry Eaton, who just happens to be Evelyn Eaton's daughter. Terry had called me to inquire about a writers workshop I was going to sponsor. Because of the attack on the WTC, the workshop had to be cancelled, but I did talk to Terry a couple of times on the telephone. During our first conversation, she told me she had written and published a book titled "Joy Before Night". Impressed with her conversation, I looked the book up on the Internet. We talked on the phone a few days later and I told her how nice I thought it was that she had written a book in honor of her mother. Terry said she thought I might enjoy looking at some of her mother's work. She hit the nail on the head. I ordered "I Send A Voice" and after I finished reading it I ordered two more of Eaton's books.
I was amazed by Eaton, who was born in 1902, being among the Indians in 1965 at the age of 63 and learning the spiritual teachings of her Indian ancestors. Eaton's journey took her into many Sweat Lodge healing rituals, several Fasts, and even found herself worthy of having a Sacred Pipe. After many years of being active in the Indian way of life, she fell into the political war of Indian against White Man. Indians she had developed a friendship with came to resent her presence and shunned her. Because she was a non-Indian and of white skin, she was no longer accepted. It broke her heart but it didn't break her spirit.
Eaton's last paragraph of her introduction to this book pretty well sums up the things she learned during her time spent with the Indians: If we ask aright, with integrity and total committment, the way will be revealed, step by gentle step. So it is for me, so it is for you, so it is for everyone.
I highly recommend this book.

This is a wonderful story about a white woman that became a medicine woman (winan pejuta).

At the beginning of the book Ms. Eaton was living in a shack, in ill health, and barely surviving. A friend suggested that she go to a medicine man (wicasa pejuta) and ask for a healing at a sweat lodge. As time goes by; attends cerempnies, and as more time passes she goes through fasts, and later obtains a Catlinite (pipestone) pipe and becomes a medicine woman, and used her gift to help the people around her until her death in 1983.

Unfortunately; she had MANY problems with some indians because she attended the ceremonies, and was a pipe carrier. It did NOT matter to them that she helped the people, she had undergone three fasts, and the spirits had chosen to work with her.

This animosity is STILL going on from some indians to whites, and mixed bloods that are not indian enough (in their opinion) to practise this form of spirituality. I have received some very angry E-Mails from people that claim to be indians, and are offended that I am a pipe carrier, and choose to follow this path. One person went so far as to challenge me with "Your people stole our land, and how dare you now steal our religion!".

I am not stealing anyones religion. I am only following a path that works for me. I know there is real spirituality in this path, and it answers more of the questions I have (It even explained the experiences I had 40+ years ago). I have studied most religions from agnosticiam to zen.

Now; I do have a few minor problems with this book.

1. There are several misspellings in this book.

2. She incorrectly assumes that all medicine people or holy people MUST use a Catlinite (pipestone pipe).

The spirit helpers choose to work with the person based on their integrity, and sincerity. In 1999; the Bear Totem animal would NOT be denied. The Bear repeatedly showed up trying to get my attention and let me know that it had decided to work with me. At that time I neither had a pipe, nor used tobacco in any way...

Evelyn writes as a long-time sister/friend, who opens her life and heart to you in a way that makes you feel she is sitting beside you in the desert. Her words cause you to feel every step of her journey as your own. Don't even consider asking your elder for the honor of becoming a pipekeeper without understanding the sacredness of this responsiblity. I understand that Evelyn is no longer walking this mortal path, but I am sure wherever she is the adventure is one of Honor. A respectful, and authentic picture of the Native American through the eyes of a woman who will become one of your heros.

An interesting read if you want to learn about Native American spirituality and medicine wheels. This book contains a segment of the author's life history and her experiences on her life path. It also contains a brief description of how to set up a medicine wheel of your own. Quite a bit involves her battle with her own illness. She also deals with her problems relating to full-blooded Native Americans, since she is of mixed blood

This book is a continuation of "I send A Voice" by the same author.

It is laid out in several sections. a brief update to her work as a medicine woman, Her version of the medicine wheel (she uses a complex 32 stone medicine wheel. I have seen 10-15 different medicine wheel traditions, then excerpts from her journals showing her battle with cancer, and the "christian" bigotry toward her spiritual beliefs because of the pipe bag she hung from the west wall of her home, and her hospital room when she was in the hospital to be treated for cancer.

Many people will dismiss her mystical experiences while smoking the pipe as coincidence, or say she was day dreaming, or accuse her or putting an halucinogen in the tobacco.

Neither are true. I am 100% convinced those mystical experiences really happened. I say 100% because I too have had many mystical experiences while using a pipe in a sacred manner.

Pray in a sincere humble manner, and things happen; when you pray. Pipe or not, Pipestone pipe or a cheap pipe from a local store.

In her earlier book she was under the impression that people MUST use a pipestone pipe. This is not so. in 1896; Wicasa Wakan (holy man) Grorge Sword was teaching James R. Walker (a white "christian" doctor) to be a wicasa wakan, and according to George Sword "Any pipe can be used in a sacred manner.", and I am VERY happy to confirm that. My day to day pipe is a small meerschaum pipe.

I only use my pipestone pipe on special occasions. It is adorned with indian beadwork, and buckskin, and I do not want to have to throw the stem away and make another one in the near future.

Her medicine wheel tradition is complex. If you want to know the medicine wheel tradition I use that is based on the vision by the late Oglalla Sioux holy man Nick Black Elk; E-Mail me.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)