NATIVE AMERICAN QUOTES

 

"Native American isn't blood.

It is what is in the heart.

The love for the land, the respect for it,

those who inhabit it,

and the respect and acknowledgement

of the spirits and elders.

That is what it is to be Indian."

 

 White Feather, Navojo Medicine Man

 

All birds, even those of the same species are not alike,

and it is the same with animals as with human beings.

 

 The reason Wakantanka does not make two birds,

or two animals, or humans exactly alike

is because each is placed here by Wakantanka

to be an independent individuality

and to rely on its self.

 

 Shooter Teton Sioux

 

This we know...

The earth does not belong to man;

man belongs to the earth.

All things are connected like the blood that unites one family.

Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it.

Whatever he does to the web he does to himself.

 

 Unknown

 

'Every part of this earth is SACRED to my people.

We are part of the earth and it's part of us.'

 

 Chief Seattle 1854

 

Respect means listening

until everyone has been heard and understood,

only then is there a possibility of "Balance and Harmony"

the goal of Indian Spirituality."

 

 Dave Chief

 

Prophecy

 

 Only after the last tree has been cut down;

Only after the last fish has been caught;

Only after the last river has been poisoned;

Only then will you realize

that money cannot be eaten.

 

 Cree Indian Prophecy

 

Trouble no more about their religion;

respect others in their view,

and demand that they respect yours.

 

 Chief Tecumseh

 

Indian Serenity Prayer

 

 God, grant me the strength of eagles wings,

the faith and courage to fly to new heights,

and the wisdom to rely on his spirit to carry me there.

 

 Native American Prayer For Peace

 

Oh Great spirit of our

ancestors, I raise

my pipe to you.

To your messengers the four winds, and

 to Mother Earth who provides

for your children.

Give us the wisdom to teach our children

to love, to respect, and to be kind

to each other so that they may grow

with peace of mind

Let us learn to share all good things that

you provide for us on this Earth.

 

 Chief Yellow Hawk

 

Great Spirit Prayer

 

Great Spirit, Great Spirit, My Grandfather,

All over the earth the faces of living things are all alike...

Look upon these faces of children without number

And with children in their arms,

That they may face the winds and

Walk the good road to the day of quiet...

 

 There is no death...

Only a change of worlds...

Only a change of worlds.

 

 Traditional Native American Prayer

 

O Great Spirit,

 whose voice I hear in the winds,

and whose breath gives life to all the world

-hear me-

I come before you, one of your children.

I am small and weak.

I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold

the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made,

my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise, so that I may know the things

you have taught my People.

The lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength not to be superior to my brothers,

but to be able to fight my greatest enemy,

my self.

Make me ever ready to come to you,

with clean hands and straight eyes,

so when life fades as a fading sunset,

my spirit may come to you without shame.

 

 Lord most giving and resourceful,

I implore you;

make it your will

that this people enjoy

the goods and riches you naturally give,

that naturally issue from you,

that are pleasing and savory,

that delight and comfort,

though lasting but briefly,

passing away as if in a dream.

 

 Aztec Prayer

 

SIOUX

 

Oh Great Spirit, Our Father, help us and teach us in the way of the truth;

and keep me and my family and my tribe on our true father's path,

so that we may be in good condition in our minds and in our bodies.

Teach all of the little ones in Your Way.

Make peace on all the world.

We thank you for the sun and the good summer weather again;

and we hope they will bring good crops of grass for the animals

and things to eat for all peoples.

 

 Attributed to Long Lance

 

Micmac Prayer

 

O Our Creator and Great Grandfather of all,

Who dwells in the Spiritland known as heaven,

We beg that you look toward us, your children

Who live here on Mother Earth and hear our prayer

Because, Our Creator, we learn to believe

With the highest respect,

The law you had set forth.

We ask that you bring to us, this day,

Good spirits from the four directions

East, South, West, North

So that when we put our minds together for this gathering,

We will be of one heart before we leave

Bless us with understanding, strength and compassion

And may we always walk the path to heaven

That you made for us.

Let it be, let it be, let it be.

 

 Scout Indian Prayer

 

Morning Star wake us, filled with joy.

To new days of growing to man from boy

Sun, with your power, give us light.

That we can tell wrong and do what is right

South Wind, we ask, in your gentle way.

Blow us the willingness of obey.

North Wind, we ask, live up to thy name.

Send us the strength to always be game.

East Wind, we ask, with your breath so snappy.

Fill us with knowledge of how to be happy.

West Wind, we ask, blow all that is fair.

To us, that we may always be square.

Moon, that fills the night with red light.

Guard us well while we sleep in the night.

Akela, please guide us in every way.

We'll follow your trail in work or play.