The last traditionally trained medicine man of the Muskogee Creek tribe lives not in the pueblos or reservations, but deep in the heart of River's Edge I.

Marcellus "Bear Heart" Williams was only a boy when two of his tribe's medicine men approached his parents, noting that he had the necessary character for the calling.

In the beginning, Bear Heart, now 88, was unsure if he would pursue the mission, but he gratefully undertook the training. "Whether you use it or not, if someone gives you something, accept it gracefully," he said.

For the next 14 years, his training focused primarily on what not to do, specifically how to avoid harming others. He learned to look inside others and find their afflictions.

"We must learn how to diagnose, to perceive whether it's a natural dysfunctioning of some parts of his physical system or, in those days we had a lot of witchcraft, and was it purposefully put on," he said.

Since his training, he has gone on to treat many people, including one woman, he recalled, who suffered from facial paralysis. He washed her face four times, and she became well.

Another girl had an ear infection, and Bear Heart chanted and blew into her ear four times.

"There are so many, many people I have helped, I can't name them all," he said.

There is significance in the four repetitions, which comes up frequently in Bear Heart's practice. Four represents the corners of the earth - north, south, east and west - so that wherever the person goes, they will still be healed. It also stands for the four seasons, so that the person will still be healed in one year's time.

Bear Heart has many fascinating stories, not least of which is the account of how he got his name.

On his 13th vision quest, as a young man, a black bear - a representation of his father, who is from the Bear Clan - came to him and stood on his hind legs. Bear Heart stood to face him. The bear knocked him down, but he stood again. The bear knocked him down a second time, and again he stood.

This time, however, he spoke to the bear.

"I will not fight you because I respect you as my father, but I will not run from you either," he recalled telling the bear.

And the bear walked away.

Upon returning to the camp, the elder said the bear respected his courage. He told the young man that he had the heart of a bear, and thus named him Bear Heart.

But one of his favorite stories involves no native beliefs or practices, merely the American tradition of hard work.

As a lad, Bear Heart's father gave him two fields at the farm where he grew up in Okema, Okla. Bear Heart chose to plant cotton and hired his relatives to pick it for him. After selling the cotton in the nearby town of Okmulgee, he bought himself a suede jacket and some new work boots.

"And I walked out of there eight feet tall," he said.

Bear Heart has traveled the world relaying the lessons he's learned, even spending time praying with then President Harry Truman. His lectures revealed his combined training in the Native-American teachings and his education at various Biblical seminaries.

"There is no conflict," he said. "We pray to the same god no matter where we come from."

But unlike some religions, he said, his is a religion of peace.

"(When) you look back over your shoulder to see who's looking, this becomes a religion of fear," he said. "You should enjoy what you believe in."

Bear Heart's lectures from his travels in Europe were transcribed by a woman who attended and eventually led to his first book, "The Wind is My Mother," named so because his mother is of the Wind Clan. Although it is out of print and difficult to find, it is available through several online booksellers.

His second book, which this time he wrote, should be released by the end of the year, he said. This one is titled "The Bear is My Father."

But that is not the extent of his teachings. Besides training his grandson the traditional techniques of a medicine man, he also conducts blessings and vision quests in nearby Cloudcroft. The 12th annual Gathering of Circles will be held Aug. 3, and a vision quest will begin Sept. 6. For more information on Bear Heart, the Gathering of Circles, or the vision quest, call WaterSpirit at 620-4507 or send an e-mail to reginaws@yahoo.com.

Although Bear Heart said each person's difficulties are unique, he did offer some general advice.

"When you think negatively, immediately look on the other side and think positive ... immediately," he said.

He also said that fretting is an activity best avoided.

"Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair," he said. "It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."