Grandfather William Commanda (keeper of the Wampun/8-fire prophecy belt) and I already smoked together two times the sacred pipe. The first time it was whenWilliam came to show the Wampun Belt at Titus' Farm, with Titus and Manuelpresent. The second time it was at the end of the East-West march, at the ocean site in California.

In the beginning of August 1996 I attended Grandfather's annual gathering on his land in Canada. It was an honour to be sheltered in the cabin where Wiiliam grew up with his parents. About three hundred friends came from all over the country. I also had my staff Kalaitaka (sharp edge) with me, who was going to be my travel partner around the world.

On the last day the most surprising privilege was bestowed upon me to be with Grandfather and four medicine men in a special sweatlodge ceremony. Special it was! In the lodge I prayed for the Hopi Spirit to enter from the centre beneath the hot stones.  Shortly after, the first stone coming in pulverised into a homa (ground sacred Hopi corn) like substance. Every one was pleasantly surprised, as this happens once in a great while, indicating a good omen. At the end Grandfather and I shared for the third time the same pipe. From hereon my East-West journey around the world with Kalaitaka begun.

Then, shortly before departing from Phoenix/Arizona I left a long secondary pipestem with my Hopi friend Burton Onsae, with the plan to have the stem and the pipe bowl joined and smoked upon my return coming from the East.

And so it happened. On the day of the joining, Grandfather William came "out of the blue" to the land of the Hopi, to help with the union. For the fourth time we together smoked the sacred pipe!