Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, is in all things: he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our father, and the Earth is our mother. She nourishes us; what we put into her, she gives back to us.
Big Thunder (Bedagi), Wabanaki Algonquin
From Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, comes all power. Wakan Tanka gives wisdom, healing abilities, and the power to perform sacred rituals to mankind. Man knows that all medicinal plants are given by Wakan Tanka; that’s why they are sacred. In the same way, the buffalo is sacred because it is a gift from Wakan Tanka.
Flat Iron, Chief of the Oglala Sioux
Everything an Indian does is in a circle, because the power of the world always works in circles and tries to be round… The sky is round, and I have heard that the Earth is also round like a ball, and so are all the stars. When the wind is at its most powerful, it whirls. Birds build their nests in circles because their faith is the same as ours… Even the changing of seasons makes a big circle and always returns to where it was. The circle of a man’s life is from childhood to childhood and It is so in everything where power moves.
Black Elk, Oglala
I healed with the power that came through me. Of course, I was not the one who was healing, it was the power from the external world – visions and ceremonies made me a mere passage through which the power of two-legged beings comes. If I had thought I was doing it myself, the passage would have closed and no power could have passed through. Then everything I could do would be foolish.
Black Elk, Oglala
When a man does something worthy of admiration, we say it is miraculous; but looking at the changes of day and night, the Sun, Moon and stars in the sky, the change of seasons on the earth, with fruits ripening, we must understand that it is the work of someone more powerful than man.
Chased-by-Bears, Santee-Yanktonai Sioux
In the hearts of all of us, there is a hidden road that is rarely traveled, and it leads to an unknown, secret place. The old people truly loved the earth, they sat or rested on it and felt close to the mother power. They built their tipis his altars from the earth. The earth calmed, strengthened, purified, and healed. That is why the old Indian still sits on the ground, and does not stand up and separate himself from the powers of the earth that give life. For him, sitting or lying on the ground means being able to think deeper and feel stronger. He can penetrate more clearly into the mysteries of life and come into closer relationship with the life around him.
Luther Standing Bear, Chief of the Oglala Sioux
I was born on the prairie, where the wind blows freely, where there is nothing to break the sunlight. I was born where there are no fences and where everything breathes freely… I know every stream and every tree between the Rio Grande and the Arkansas. I hunted on this land. I lived as my fathers before me, and like them, I lived happily.
Ten Bears (Parra-wa-samem),
Chief of the Yamparetkha Comanche
I am a red man. If the Great Spirit had intended me to be white, he would have made me so. He put different desires and plans in your heart and in mine. Every man is at least in his eyes. Eagles don’t have to be crows. We may be poor, but we are free. No white man supervises our steps. If we have to die, we will die defending our rights.
Sitting Bull (Tatanka Yotanka), Hunkpapa Sioux
We did not ask you, white people, to come here. The Great Spirit gave us this land as our home. You had your own land. We did not bother you. The Great Spirit gave us plenty of land to live on, gave us buffaloes, deer, antelope, and other game. But you came here; you take our land, you kill our game, and it is hard for us to live. Now you tell us to work for a living, but the Great Spirit did not drive us to work, but to live by hunting. You, white men, can work if you want. We do not interfere in your affairs, and you ask us why we do not want to become civilized. We do not want your civilization! We want to live like our fathers and our fathers’ fathers.
Crazy Horse (Tashunca-uitco)
Whites have always tried to force Indians were asked to abandon their way of life and live like them – to engage in agriculture and hard work. But the Indians didn’t know how to do it, and they didn’t want to. If the Indians had tried to force the white people to live like Indians, the white people would have resisted, and the same was true for many Indians.
Big Eagle (Wamditanka), Santee Sioux
You ask us to choose another suitable place instead of this one, where we have always lived. Do you see that graveyard over there? Our fathers and grandfathers rest there. Do you see that mountain, Eagle’s Nest, over there, and Rabbit Hole Mountain? When God created them, He gave us this place. We have always been here. We are not interested in any other place… We have always lived here. We would rather die here. Our fathers died here. We cannot leave them. Our children were born here. How can we leave now? Even if you give us the best place in the world, it cannot be as good for us as this place here… This is our home… We cannot live anywhere else. We were born here, and our fathers are buried here… We want this place, not any other…
Cecilio Black Tooth, California Indians
Soon, the time will come when my grandchild will yearn for the call of the loon, the taste of salmon, the whisper of pine needles, or the cry of an eagle. It will not befriend any of these creatures, and when its heart aches with longing, it will curse me. Have I done everything to keep the air fresh? Have I cared enough for the water? Have I let the eagle soar freely? Have I done everything for the love of my grandchild?
Chief Dan George
We believe that love for possession is a weakness that needs to be overcome. It attracts the material part, and if allowed, it will eventually disturb the spiritual balance of man. That is why children must learn the beauty of generosity from an early age. They learn to give what they love the most, so they can experience the joy of giving.
Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), Wahpeton Santee Sioux
Indians did not have written laws. One. The customs that were passed down from generation to generation were the only laws that guided them. Everyone could behave differently from what was considered correct if they chose to, but they would be condemned by the people for such actions… This fear of condemnation acted as a powerful bond that connected everyone into one social, honorable entity.
George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-bowh), Ojibwa chief
Flattery, flattery, pretense, and empty words were not part of the Lakota Indians’ politeness. Pretense was considered insincere, and someone who constantly spoke was considered impolite and thoughtless. Conversation never started suddenly or hurriedly. No one hastily asked a question, no matter how important it was, and no one was rushed for an answer. Taking a moment to think was truly a polite way of conversing. Silence had meaning for the Lakota Indian, and giving a moment of silence to the interlocutor and having one’s own moment of silence before speaking were expressions of genuine politeness and respect for the rules. thought comes before speech.
Luther Standing Bear, chief of the Oglala Sioux tribe.
What kind of language do white people speak when they can make right look wrong and wrong look right?
Black Hawk, Sauk tribe.
Speak clearly so that your words can enter our hearts like the sunlight. Speak, white people. I will not lie to you, so don’t lie to me either.
Cochise (Hardwood), Chiricahua Apache tribe.
A wise man deeply believes in silence – a sign of perfect balance. Silence is the complete equilibrium of body, mind, and spirit. He who manages to remain calm and untouched by the storms of existence – who does not let a leaf tremble on a tree, nor a wave ripple on the surface of a shiny lake – has, according to the understanding of the wise, a perfect relationship and way of life. Silence is the foundation of character.
Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), Wahpeton Santee Sioux tribe.
The special attire worn in preparation for battle is not because it is believed to enhance fighting ability. It is preparation for death, in case it occurs in the conflict. And The Native American wants to look his best when facing the Great Spirit, so he dresses specially in case of impending danger during battles or in times of peace during illness and injury.
Wooden Leg, Cheyenne
Live your life in a way that the fear of death never enters your heart. Do not burden anyone because of their faith, respect the opinions of others and seek for them to respect yours. Love your life, improve it and beautify everything around you. Strive to live long and serve your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you cross over to the other side.
Always greet a friend when you meet him or pass by him, even a stranger in a lonely place. Respect all people and bow to no one.
When you wake up in the morning, give thanks for the food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for this, the fault is only in you. Do not take advantage of anyone or anything, for that turns wise men into fools and captures the spirit of vision.