Wisdom from the Indian Ancestors

 

Wisdom from the Indian Ancestors

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation 1768 – 1813

“When the Earth is sick, the animals will begin to disappear, when that happens, The Warriors of the Rainbow will come to save them.”

Chief Joseph Lower Nez Perces band of the Wallowa Valley 1840 – 1904

“These (sacred) ceremonies do not belong to Indians alone, they can be done by all who have the right attitude…and who are honest and sincere about their beliefs in Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit) and follow the rules.”

“Survival of the world depends on our sharing what we have, and working together. If we don’t the whole world will die. First the planet, and next the people.”

Ceremonial Chief Frank Fools Crow Teton Souix 1890 – 1989

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