Lussy Aleck: The Power of Prayer

Elizabeth (Lussy) Aleck of Stzuminus First Nation  speaking at Snaw-naw-as First Nation October 29, 1995
Recorded by Donna Gerdts, and transcribed and translated by Donna Gerdts and Theresa Thorne

  1. ’uy’ kwu’elh tun’a st’i’wi’ulh, tl’lim’ ’uw’ ’uy’, q’eq’ul’ ni’ tthun’ shqwaluwun.
    1. This prayer is very good when you believe with your heart.
  2. tl’lim’ ch ’uw’ thu’itstuhw ni’ ’u tthun’ shqwaluwun.
    1. Believe it from the bottom of your heart,
  3. suw’ ts’ets’uw’uthaam ’u tthu tsitsulh si’em’.
    1. and you will be helped by Our Lord.
  4. ts’ewut ch kwu t-sas mustimuhw. tl’lim’ ch ’uw’ ni’stuhw ’u tthu st’i’w’iulh ’u shus yaays kwus yaays.
    1. To help a poor person you need to have him present right at the church when you work on him.
  5. ’i’ thuythut kwu.. thuythut kwu ts’ewutuhw.
    1. He will get better if you help him.
  6. thut-stam’shus tthu st’i’wi’yulh kwunus ’i hwu’alum’ nu shik, kwunus ’i qul’et hwu’alum’.
    1. As I was told by Shakers when I returned to the Shaker faith, the second time I returned.
  7. ha’ ch tse’ ts’ets’uw’ut sulewe’ mustimuhw, ha’ ch tse’ ts’ets’uw’ut la’us ’uw’ ’uhwiin’us kw’un’ ts’ewut kwthu t-sas mustimuhw, ’i’ ’uy’ ch tse’ ni’ ’u tthu st’i’wi’ulh, uy’ ch tse’ ni’ ’u tthu st’i’wi’ulh.
    1. When you help a person in need, even if it is only a little help that you give the poor person, you must be very good at praying (at being a Shaker).
  8. thut-stam’shus tthu st’i’wi’ulh. huu
    1. They told me to pray.
  9. ’uy’ kwu’elh kwun’s ts’ets’uw’ut kwu t-sas mustimuhw.
    1. It’s good for you to help the wretched.
  10. ’uy’ xwte’ ’u tthu tsitsulh si’em’ kw’us ts’ets’uw’ut kwu t-sas mustimuhw. huu
    1. It’s in the honor of Our Lord to help the poor people.
  11. ’uw’ nexun’ ’ul’ ’u st’e ’u kwthey’.
    1. That is all.
  12. ni’ hay.
    1. The end.
Lussy Aleck