The Prayer Vigil for the Earth honors North American native traditionsin several ways: First, through constructing in a blessing way theSacred Circle or Hoop as a container for two days of Prayer Vigilactivities. This represents the earth in and as an integral part of theuniverse. Second, by making and tending the Sacred Fire at the centerof the Hoop for the duration of the Prayer Vigil. Fire is symbolic ofthe Sun. The Sacred Fire belongs to everyone, no matter what tradition,nation, gender, or race. Third, by acknowledging and offering prayersto the four cardinal directions that orient us to our place on Earthand the place of the Earth each day in the cosmos. Further, theentrance way to the Prayer Vigil is at the Eastern point of the Hoop,the place where the Sun rises each morning, a time of gratitude andhope. Fourth, by providing the Sacred Plants for prayers at the SacredFire – tobacco, sage, and cedar. Throughout the Prayer Vigil at anytime day or night, participants offer their prayers as they cast smallamounts of one or more of these into the Fire. In these ways we honorNative American Wisdom that forms a large part of the sacred Mandala oftheir beliefs.