When we brought the tree in, the weather was freezing, so I also wanted to bring in the ceramic turtle I'd had in the garden. It seemed natural to place it under the tree ... just need the eagle atop now eh? I usually bring in a cedar for xmas season but this year we came upon this 'pine' at the right price, so now we have the symbol that is so familiar to Hotenoshone: the white pine, the symbol of peace, our medicine atop 'turtle island'/N. America. Now I'd like to make the clans and other symbols to hang on the tree ... elements of our opening address: K^tsyokhwa/the people, Yukhinu:lha/Mother Earth, Onu'kwat/medicines etc.