Shawnee Religion
In 1822, John Johnston, a federal Indian Agent who worked with with the Shawnee for decades, wrote the following concerning the Shawnee religion:
(They) have the strongest confidence in their maker, believe that he constantly governs the world and all things in it, that they could not exist a moment without his power and goodness. They are in constant practice of praying for favours and assistance in making sacrifices and oblations to procure divine aid: but have no idea of a general judgment.
The above information is found in the Scrapbook of Leonard Hill and contained a Shawnee rendition of The Lord’s Prayer within the same article.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Ne-la-wa No-the-na, La-gwa Spi-me-ke-A-pe-ta,
Hallowed be thy name.
Ne-tagh-quele-mabe-kit-e-she-tho.
Thy kingdom come,
Ke-la-no-sa-ta-ma-wegh-he-a-wa,
Thy will be done, On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Ke-la-we-a-mitch-to-ta, O-ta-she-na-tha-pe-ta-hap-pe-an-e-Spime-ke.
Give us this day, our daily bread and for give us our debts,
Me-le-to Ve-la-wa Ye-a-ma, Ne-la-wa Thwawa-puck-a Tuckgwan-a, Wi-ne-cat-a-loo Ne-la-wa O-sen-a-a-ga,
As we forgive, our debtors.
Sha-ke-ne-la-wa-now-en-e-can-ta, Ne-la-w ma-she-ne-getche.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Neke-she-washe-Ta-ke-ta-mut-cha-se-ke, Pie que- negh-wa-ben-shepa Ta-mut-cha-se.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Ke-la-we-se-ta-hap-pe-na-ne, Ke la-we-she-cat-e-wan, Sheka-nan-es-can-kim-she-ke-la-wa La-gwa-te-she.
Amen
E ne-weha-ke