Native Americans believed that there was a force that ruled nature. Using the pipe as a means of connecting with the great spirit, they would seek guidance from Mother Earth, the Four directions, and the Great Spirit above, to direct their course to a proper resolution of their problems. The Crow People also called pipe above, “The First Maker.” They held the bowl of the pipe down and passed it from left to right. Each person in turn saying a prayer. These Crow men are seeking guidance through the smoking of their medicine pipe. - Howard Terpning