<原文> Our ancestors have passed down a tradition to us that is very important. As you know ours is an oral culture, where our laws, Ayoux, our stories, and our business is determined by our elders, our Chiefs, and our Matriarchs conferring together. They talk and talk and talk until there is nothing left to say, and when the talking is done, the path is determined and collectively we move forward, the right way.
What I want to give you is and instrument for that talking that we have come to call the Talking stick.
My son, I give this to you, my talking stick, so you can go into the world and speak -speak in your turn, and when it is your turn speak wisely- remember always what your great grand parents, your grand parents, and your mother and I, especially your mother, has taught you.
Carry your love and our teachings in your heart and your soul, let those who hear you know you speak with our authority.
When you have occasion to use this talking stick, when you hold it, it will be like you are holding my hand, and you will remember me always.
Some day you will give this stick to another young speaker, and whey you do, pass it with this understanding - that to speak our laws, our truth, our ways is to speak with great responsibility, and with great necessity, so that the world and your fellow humans will know the power, the strength, and the wisdom of the Tsimshian people.