" Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library"
Chief Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux
Look at me I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. We do not want riches, but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world. We do not want riches. We want peace and love.
Red Cloud Sioux
It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. It's appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance. Therefore, children must learn early the beauty of generosity.
They re taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving.
If a child is inclined to be grasping, or to cling to any of his or her little possessions, legends are related about the contempt and disgrace falling upon the ungenerous and mean person.
The Native Americans in their simplicity literally give away all that they have, to relatives, to guests of other tribes or clans, but above all to the poor and the aged, from whom they can hope for no return.
Charles Alexander Eastman ( Ohiyesa) Santee Sioux
..." Everything was possessed of personality, only differing from us in form. Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library and it's books were the stones, leaves, grass, brooks, and the birds and animals that shared, alike with us, the storms and blessings of the earth.
We learned to do what only the student of nature ever learns, and that was to feel beauty. We never railed at the storms, the furious winds,and the biting frosts and snows. To do so intensified the human futility, so whatever came we adjusted ourselves, by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint.
Even the lightening did us no harm, for whenever it came too close, mothers and grandmothers in every tipi put cedar leaves on the coals and their magic kept danger away.
Bright days and dark days were both expressions of the Great Mystery, and the Native American reveled in being close to the Great Holiness.
......This appreciation enriched Lakota existence. Life was vivid and pulsing; nothing was casual and commonplace. The Native American lived lived in every sense of the word...from his first to his last breath."
Chief Luther Standing Bear Teton Sioux
I hope that by reading and understanding these simple words, written by so called "savages" that we all may learn the knowledge that has remained "hidden" for hundreds of years...waiting to be rediscovered, by Nature Lovers and people of Peace and Love, and in doing so, we will improve our lives and those of generations to come. John Nigel Crook
