Identifying animal tracks helps native american indians understand and respect the animal spirits they call upon. Tracks tell a story about the animal who left them. Identifying animal tracks opens up a tale that tells the reader about the life of the animal. Tracks are considered to be spirit shadows of a physical self and by understanding them and observing them, we can become joined to the animal spirit. faith as we undergo transitions in our lives. She understands that our toiling, fretting and anger are useless against the turning tides of nature – she asks us to recognize the same.