Before there were funnels, the Natives used hollowed out bones to pour water through. This is the analogy that Frank Fools Crow uses to describe God's power flowing through him.

People who have rid themselves of self-serving ego, like medicine and holy people, are the cleanest bones, he explained. “The cleaner the bone, the more water you can pour through it, and the faster it will run.”

“What we hollow bones really become is the pipeline that connects Wakan Tanka and our community together. ..."

To remain a clean, hollow bone, he refrained from things like arguing, gossiping and womanizing.

The more humble and unselfish a person is, the more willing Wakan Tanka is willing to work through them.

Stirrup included several warnings about the kind of life I would be expected to lead. He said that while Indian people usually had to pay when they went to a white doctor, there would be many instances when I would be called upon to cure people without pay. It was a sacrifice I should expect to make many times. He also said I could never argue openly with any Indian about political issues or laws—either from the government’s side or from the people’s side. Even if I was strongly against something, I could not stand up and debate with my own people. I could never engage in war or in a personal fight, and I could never hate anyone or indulge in jealousy or revenge. It was a challenging life I was confronted with, but I accepted it, and I have kept faith with the sacred life-way entrusted to me.

He also said I could never argue openly with any Indian about political issues or laws—either from the government’s side or from the people’s side. Even if I was strongly against something, I could not stand up and debate with my own people. I could never engage in war or in a personal fight, and I could never hate anyone or indulge in jealousy or revenge.