Dr Gill Hicks - precious human being

"People had risked their own lives to save mine. It didn’t matter what my name was, nor colour of skin, religion or bank balance – all that mattered was that I was a precious human being." ~Dr Gill Hicks MBE, Peace campaigner Australian of the year 2015: South Australia

Millard Fillmore - change

"It is not strange to mistake change for progress." ~Millard Fillmore

William Jennings Bryan - Destiny

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice. Not something to wish for, but to attain." ~William Jennings Bryan

Jon Bon Jovi - mountain

The Bluff

Encounter Bay, SA

24 September 2010

"Any time that you think you've hit the top of the mountain, the truth of the matter is you've just reached another mountain. And it's there to climb all over again." ~Jon Bon Jovi

Alan Hovhaness - Nature

Ingleburn Nature Reserve

July 19, 2020

"I've always regarded nature as the clothing of God." ~Alan Hovhaness

Mike McIntyre - giver

“Sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare.” ~Mike McIntyre

Jim Davis - vegetables

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie." ~Jim Davis

Mary Kay - setbacks

"One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us." ~Mary Kay

NATIVE AMERICAN Proverbs, Quotes and Wisdom

 

Credit to Native American FB

"REMEMBER THE DAYS YOU PRAYED FOR THE THINGS YOU HAVE NOW." ~CREATOR

CODE OF ETHICS

"All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven." ~Native American Code of Ethics

"Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow." ~Native American Code of Ethics

"Don't let others make your path for you. It is yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you."
~Native American Code of Ethics

Postcard from Bill and Ma

"Beauty before me,
Beauty behind me,
Beauty all around me.
I am surrounded in beauty.
In beauty I walk."
~Traditional Navajo blessing

♥*✿*•♥

"May I walk in beauty;
Beauty behind me.
Beauty in front of me.
Beauty to the right
And to the left of me
Beauty above
And beneath me.
Beauty all around
And within me."
~Navajo Prayer

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

GREAT CREATOR
You are the Strength of our People
You Lead us with the Truth
We Follow with Faith
Your Heart beat the drum of Life
It moves us and we sing Your song
All can hear the calling
If they open their hearts and mind
Listen the Spirit is Speaking:

Awaken my Brothers and Sisters
Awaken to the Light of Love
A'ho

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

CHEROKEE PRAYER

Oh Great Spirit who made all races,
Look kindly upon the whole human family
And take away the arrogance and hatred
Which separates us from our brothers.

♥*✿*•♥

Sky our grandfather
Moon our grandmother
Earth our mother
I am thankful
We love each other
We are grateful

♥*✿*•♥

"May Mother Earth guide your feet.
May Father Sky keep his arms around you.
May Grandfather Sun warm your cold days.
May Grandmother Moon Keep the Glow
in your heart.
May the Star Nations Light the way
to the next destination,
and the Great Spirit always keep you
shielded from the pain.
Blessings to you."
~Native Americans

♥*✿*•♥

"Looking behind I am filled with gratitude 

Looking forward I am filled with vision

 Looking upward I am filled with strength  

 And looking within I discover peace" 

~Apache prayer

*****

"May the sun bring you new energy by day.
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away your worries.
May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
May you walk gently through the world,
And know its beauty all the days of your life."
~Apache Prayer

NATIVE BLESSING

"May you have the strength of eagle's wings,
The faith and courage to fly to new heights,
And the wisdom of the universe to carry you there."

LAKOTA BLESSING

"I see a time of Seven
GENERATIONS when all the
colours of mankind will
gather under the
Sacred Tree of Life and
the whole EARTH will
become one circle again."

LAKOTA PIPE SONG

"Friend of the Eagle,
To you I pass the Pipe first.
Around the circle I pass it to you.
Around the circle to begin the day.
Around the circle I complete the four directions.
I pass the Pipe to the Grandfather above.
I smoke with the Great Mystery.
So begins a good day."

~From Native Americans

═══════════════

PROVERBS and SAYINGS

“A people without history is like wind on the buffalo grass.” ~Sioux Proverb

“All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.” ~Arapaho saying

"All things are connected, like the blood that unites us. We did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves." ~Chief Seattle

"All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man ... the air share its spirit with all the life it supports." ~Chief Seattle

"Be still and the earth will speak to you.” ~Navajo Proverb

"Certain things catch your eyes, but pursue only those that capture the heart." ~Ancient Indian Proverb

"Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.” ~Hopi Proverb

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today." ~Cherokee Proverb

"Every time you wake up and ask yourself, What good things am I going to do today?, remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it." ~Indian Proverb

"Everything in life comes to you as a teacher. Pay attention. Learn quickly." ~Cherokee Saying

"Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way." ~Native American Proverb

"If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove.” ~Cheyenne Proverb

"If we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come.” ~Arapaho Proverb

"If you seek to understand the whole universe, you will understand nothing at all. If you seek only to understand yourself, you will understand the whole universe." ~Native American Proverb

"It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand." ~Native American Proverb

"It  is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, love peace and live in peace." ~NAP

“Knowledge is rooted in all things, the world is a library.” ~Native American (Lakota) Proverb

"Life is not a continuum of pleasant choices, but of inevitable problems that call for strength, determination, and hard work." ~Indian Proverb

"Listen to the wind, it talks;
Listen to the silence, it speaks;
Listen to your heart, it knows."
~Native American Proverb

"Listen with your heart. Learn from your experiences, and always be open to new ones" ~Cherookee Proverb

"Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.” ~Crow Proverb

“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.” ~Native American Proverb

"Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins." ~Native American Proverb

"Never follow a leader who is more in love with power than people." ~ Native American Proverb 

“No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning.” ~Native American Proverb

"No tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves." ~Native Americans

"Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people want it." ~Crow Proverb

"Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise we cannot eat money." ~Cree Proverb

"Our first teacher is our own heart.” ~Cheyenne Proverb

"Pay attention to the whispers, so we won't have to listen to the screams." ~Cherokee Proverb

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy." ~Eskimo Sayings

"Sometimes I go about pitying myself, and all the while I am being carried across the sky by beautiful clouds." ~OJIBWE PROVERB

"The honor of one is the honor of all." ~Native American Proverb

"The journey between who you once were and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place." ~Native American Proverb

"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears." ~Native American Proverb

"There is a battle of two wolves in is all. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment,  lies, inferiority, ego.  The other is joy, peace, love, hope, humility,  kindness, empathy and truth. The wolf that wins? The one you feed." ~Cherokee Proverb 

"There is no death, only a change of worlds.” ~Chief Seattle (Native American Duwamish)

“Thoughts are like arrows: once released, they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim." ~Navajo Proverb

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." ~Native American Proverb

"Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our Children."
~Ancient Indian Proverb

"Walk lightly in the spring;
Mother Earth is pregnant."
~Native American Kiowa Proverb

"We are all one child spinning through Mother Sky." ~Shawnee Proverb

“When a pine needle falls in the forest, the eagle sees it; the deer hears it and the bear smells it” ~Native American Proverb

"When one foot walks, the other foot rests." ~Indian Proverb

"When you arise in the morning
give thanks for the morning light.
Give thanks for your life and strength.
Give thanks for your food
And give thanks for the joy of living
And if perchance you see no reason
for giving thanks,
Rest assured the fault is in yourself."
~American Indian (Tecumseh) Saying~

"When the Condor of the south flies with the Eagle 🦅 of the north, a new Day for Earth will awaken!" ~Inca prophecy

Photo by Native American Blood

"When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.” ~Arapaho Proverb

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." ~Cherokee Expression

"With all things and in all things, we are relatives." ~Native American Proverb

"You can’t purchase friendship—you have to do your part to make it." ~Sauk Proverb

"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." ~Navajo Proverb

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

OMAHA PROVERBS

"Ask questions from your heart, and you will receive answers from your heart."

"Dreams are wiser than men."

"It is easy to show braveness from a safe distance."

"Misfortune happens even to the wisest and best men."

"The clear sky and the green fruitful Earth are good; but peace among men is better."

QUOTES

“A little while and I will be gone from among you, whither I cannot tell. From nowhere we come, into nowhere we go." ~Chief Crowfoot

“A man who looks first to a woman’s outer beauty will never know her beauty divine, for there is dust upon his eyes and he is blind. … But a man who sees in a woman the spirit of the Great One and sees her beauty first in spirit and truth, that man will know “Divinity” in that woman” ~White Buffalo Calf Woman

"A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong." ~Tecumseh

"A very great vision is needed and the man who has it must follow it as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky." ~Crazy Horse

"A man from the earth am I, I have sung concerning an event from which have compassion on me, whoever from above, you are the supreme ruler.” ~Lonewolf (Isnala wico), Sihasapa Teton

"All life is sacred. We come into life as sacred beings. When we abuse the sacredness of life we affect all Creation." ~Chief Arvol Looking Horse

"All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers. The Earth is the mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it." ~Chief Joseph

"All our lives we carry secrets with us that we long to reveal to someone who understands." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

“All over the sky a sacred voice is calling your name.” ~Black Elk

"Angry people want you to see how powerful they are. Loving people want you to see how powerful you are." ~Chief Red Eagle

"As a child I understood how to give, I have forgotten this grace since I have became civilised." ~Luther Standing Bear, Oglala

"As you develop your mind to be aware of nature, you are experiencing a series of connections to the web of life. Also, you find this form of enlightenment is needed in this world today." ~Tony Ten Fingers

"As you walk upon the sacred earth, treat each step as a prayer." ~Black Elk

‪"Be strong enough to stand alone." ~Native Americans‬

"Behind every strong woman is her sacred female bloodline." ~Native Americans

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!" ~Sitting Bull

“Behold this day. It is yours to make.” ~Black Elk

"Believing people can soar beyond ordinary life." ~Fools Crow, LAKOTA

"Children are the ones that matter most, they are the true human beings ." ~Native Americans

"Confidence is winning over self---not others. But we have to stir up the gift that is within us, see that we appreciate all the small things we can do well. We can only be what we give ourselves power to be." ~Chief Meninock

"Creator, help me to become ready and teachable." ~Native Americans

"DO NOT ABUSE THE LAND.
Do not abuse the water.
Do not abuse animals.
Do not abuse children.
Do not abude elders.
Do not abuse those in your community, your relatives, your people.
Live life like a prayer, like a ceremony.
Everything and everyone has a medicine, including you."
~Native Americans

"Each of us is put here in this time and this place to decide the future of humankind. Did you think you were put here for something less?" ~Chief Arvol Looking Horse

"Each one must learn for himself the highest wisdom. It cannot be taught in words." ~Smowhala, Wanapum (1815-1895)

"Every step you take is supported by a thousand ancestors." ~Native Americans (Cherokee)

"Everybody is distracted by things for the self. They don't care about their relatives anymore. The SUV shows how we feel about the environment. To turn this around, we need to go back to the earth and live with the earth spiritually." ~Floyd Red Cow Westerman

"... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the INDIAN THEORY of existence." ~Christal Quintasket, (1888-1936), Salish

Photo CTTO

"Give me knowledge so I may have kindness for all." ~Plains Indian 

“Give me strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is.”  ~Black Elk

"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.

You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things." 

 ~Black Elk

"Grandfather says: When you feel powerless that's because you stopped listening to your own heart, that's where power comes from." ~Gianni Crow 

"Grown men may learn from little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss."~Black Elk, Native American Spiritual Leader

“Happiness is the realization of God in the heart. Happiness is the result of praise and thanksgiving, of faith, of acceptance; a quiet tranquil realization of the love of God.” –White Eagle

"He [The Great Spirit] only sketches out the path of life roughly for all the creatures on earth, shows them where to go, where to arrive, but leaves them to find their own way to get there. He wants them to act independently according to their nature, to the urges of each of them." ~Lame Deer, LAKOTA

"Heal yourself - your physical and spiritual bodies. Regenerate yourself with light, and then help those who have poverty of the soul. Return to the inner spirit, which we have abandoned while looking elsewhere for happiness." ~Willaru Huayta, QUECHUA NATION, PERU

"Hear me, that the people may once again find the a Good Road and the Shielding Tree." ~Black Elk

"Hold on to what is good, even if it's a handful of earth." ~Hopi Prayer

"Honour your Elders for they have the Wisdom to Teach what we have not learned yet." ~from Native Americans

"How often what seems to be an unfriendly atmosphere is only a lack of time. Some of our dearest friends are hidden behind the mask of hurry. And we need so desperately to know each other." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

 “Humanity must shift from living on the Earth to living with her.” ~Tiokasin Ghosthorse

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."  ~Chief Seattle

“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, Chief of the Oglala Lakota tribe.

"I am the maker of my own fortune - as great as the conception of my own mind, when I think of the spirit that rules the universe. ~TECUMSEH -SHAWNEE CHIEF

"I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more." ~Chief Joseph, NEZ PERCE

"I can tell you that understanding begins with love and respect. It begins with respect for the Great Spirit. All things - and I mean ALL things - have their own will and their own way and their own purpose; this is what is to be respected." ~Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

"I encourage the Nations to pray in their own ways, and to revive their own ancient traditions for love and respect, which are the foundations stones of all Indigenous cultures." ~Chief Arvol Looking Horse

"I have been to the end of the earth,
I have been to the end of the waters,
I have been to the end of the sky,
I have been to the end of the mountains,
I have found none that are not my friends.”
~Navajo

"I know the Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say." ~SITTING BULL

"I think over again my small adventures
My fears, those small ones that seemed so big
For all the vital things I had to get and reach
And yet there is only one great thing
The only thing
To live to see the great day that dawns
And the light that fills the world."
~Anon Inuit

"I tried to keep quiet but my ancestors wouldn't let me." ~Native American

"I was born on the prairies where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun." ~Geronimo

"I will follow the white man's trail.
I will make him my friend,
but I will not bend my back to his burdens.
I will be cunning as a coyote.
I will ask him to help me understand his ways,
then I will prepare the way for my children,
and their children.
The Great Spirit has shown me -
a day will come when they will outrun
the white man in his own shoes."
~Many Horses

"I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle." ~Sitting Bull 

"I would rather cover the earth with love than to have it cover me with hate" ~Chief Dan George

"If the legends fall silent, who will teach the children of our ways? ~Chief Dan George

"If we choose to eradicate ourselves from this earth, by whatever means, the earth goes nowhere and in time will regenerate. All the lakes will be pristine, the rivers, the waters, the mountains - everything will be green again. It will be peaceful. There may not be people, but the earth will regenerate. And you know why? Because the earth has all the time in the world. And we don't." ~Oren Lyons, (Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, ONONDAGA NATION, Haudenosaunee, Six Nations, Iroqouis Confederacy, 11th Hour)

"If we die, we die defending our rights." ~Sitting Bull 

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other." ~Native Americans

"If we keep everything in balance, we are in harmony with ourselves and are at peace." ~Fools Crow, LAKOTA

"If we look at the path, we do not see the sky. We are earth people on a spiritual journey to the stars. Our quest, our earth walk, is to look within, to know who we are, to see that we are connected to all things, that there is no separation, only in the mind." ~Native American, Anon source

"If we must die, we die defending our rights." ~Sitting Bull

"If you love the Creator, take care of creation." ~Native Americans

 "In an eagle there is all the wisdom of the world." ~Lame Deer

"In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation of the family." ~Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders

"In these times when trouble and violence are increasing, we have no choice but to face this mounting chaos as one family of people." ~White Buffalo Day Proclamation 27 August 2002

"It became obvious to me that nature has her own language. She speaks through the animals, the trees and the cool summer breeze. She whispers, 'Embrace me.' And I do." ~Red Deer Runs in Darkness

"It does not take many words to speak the truth." ~Chief Joseph 

"It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand." ~Apache

"It is difficult to wake up once you've become a sheep" ~from Native Americans

"It's never too late … to teach tradition to our little ones." ~Native Americans

"It is not necessary for eagles to be crows." ~Sitting Bull 

"It's not the color of your skin that makes you native, it's what is in your heart." ~Chief Charles Red Cloud

“It is the mothers not the warriors who create a people and guide their destiny.”  ~Luther Standing Bear

"It is the Mothers, not the Warriors, who create a people and guide their destiny." ~Sioux

"It is unfortunate when someone fails us, but it isn't as bad as when we fail ourselves. The minute we make a mistake or fall short, we begin to condemn ourselves. How could we have been so dumb, so inept, so careless? We are victims by our own mouths. It is too easy to make a habit of thinking we are second-rate, not quite equal to others. If we say it enough times, we think it, and it all feeds down into our hearts to surface again when we don't need it. Who can love us if we do not love ourselves? Who will build us up if we are busy tearing us down? Confidence is winning over self---not others. But we have to stir up the gift that is within us, see that we appreciate all the small things we can do well. We can only be what we give ourselves power to be." ~Chief Meninock

"It takes a strong effort on the part of each American Indian not to become Europeanised. The strength for this effort can only come from the traditional ways, the traditional values that our elders retain." ~Russell Means

"It takes a strong person to remain single in a world that is accustomed to settling with anything just to say they have something." ~Reamus Wilson

"It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance. Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving." ~Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), Wahpeton Santee Sioux

“Let every step you take upon the earth be as a prayer.” ~Black Elk

"LET US KNOW PEACE"
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun shall shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
"LET US KNOW PEACE"
~Ya-Native

"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." ~Sitting Bull

"Listening comes in many ways. We listen with all our senses, knowing many times without having to be told what someone's needs are." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

“Live your life so that the fear of death can never enter your heart. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. And if perchance you see no reason for giving thanks, rest assured the fault is in yourself.” –Tecumseh Shawnee Chief

"Love is something you and I must have.
We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it.
We must have it because without it we become weak and faint.
Without love our self-esteem weakens.
Without it our courage fails.
Without love we can no longer look confidently at the world.
We turn inward and begin to feed upon our own personalities,
and little by little we destroy ourselves...
With it we are creative.
With it we march tirelessly.
With it, and with it alone,
we are able to sacrifice for others."
~Chief Dan George

"Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes so that when my life fades as the fading sunset, my spirit can come to you without shame." ~Native American Quote from Native Americans

"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." ~Chief Seattle

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." ~Standing Bear

"Man's law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same." ~Crow (Native Americans)

"Man may own land, but Mother will always control Nature." ~Native Americans

"May peacefulness and joy
Be more than dreams to you,
May they guide your heart and spirit
In everything you do."
~Ya-Native

"May the dawn of each new day bring great promise and inner strength." ~from Native Americans

"May the stars carry your sadness away,
May the flowers fill your heart with beauty,
May hope forever wipe away your tears,
And, above all,
May silence make you strong."
~Chief Dan George

"May there be peace when we meet." ~Audrey Shenandoah (Onondaga)

“May you always walk in Beauty.” ~ Black Elk 

"May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty in all days of your life. " ~Native Americans

"Mother is the blessing that no one can replace." ~Native Americans

"My ancestors are not gone. You can find them in my Flesh, Blood and Soul." ~Native Americans

"My brother the star,
My mother the earth,
My father the sun,
My sister the moon,
To my life give beauty,
To my body give strength,
To my corn give goodness,
To my house give peace,
To my spirit give truth,
To my elders give wisdom."
~Ya-Native

"My Creator, today I will be gentle with myself and with others. I will listen to the whisper of my heart and learn the power of being gentle." ~Leon Shenandoah ONONDAGA

"Neither anger nor fear shall find lodging in your mind." ~Dekanawidah (Cherokee)

"Never throw your rope before you build the loop." ~Colt

"No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart." ~Native Americans

"No matter how long you have travelled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around." ~Native Americans

"No one owns the water.
No one owns the land.
No one owns the ocean.
No one owns the sand.
These are given by our Mother.
The Planet provides for free.
Only by the hands of the greedy,
Does the earth require a fee."
~Truth Inside of You
(Native Americans)

"Not everyone deserves access to you. Protect your spirit." ~Native Americans

"Not one of us can testify that we have nothing within our lives and thoughts that we cannot reveal. And many of us have not expressed our innermost thoughts because we have found no one in whom we can confide." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"One does not sell the land people walk on." ~Crazy Horse

"One must view the world through the eye in one's heart rather than just trust the eyes of one's head." ~Mary Crow Dog

"One of the greatest feelings in the world is to discover we haven't told something we cherish very much to someone we once thought we could trust." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"One of the things my parents taught me, and I'll always be grateful for the gift, is to not ever let anybody else define me." ~Wilma Mankiller, first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation

"One of the things the old people taught me about the spirit was to never have a doubt." ~Wallace Black Elk (1921-2004)

"Only an open heart will catch a dream." ~from Native Americans FB

"Our children are watching." ~Chief Robert Joseph

"Our creator does not look at our titles and possessions but instead our hearts and our actions." ~Native American‪s‬

"Our culture resides in the hearts and the souls of our people." ~Native Americans

"Our elders have taught us many lessons about becoming a Warrior and how to think and act like one.We have been told about the power of gentleness. We have been told about the power of stillness. Physical power is about effort. Mental power is the opposite. It's about being effortless or less any effort." ~Leon Shenandoah ONONDAGA

"Our first teacher is our own heart." ~Cheyenne

"Our land is everything to us… I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it - with their lives." ~John Woodenlegs, Cheyenne

"Our land is more valuable than your money. It will last forever. It will not even perish by the flames of fire. As long as the sun shines and the waters flow, this land will be here to give life to men and animals. We cannot sell the lives of men and animals. It was put here by the Great Spirit and we cannot sell it because it does not belong to us." ~Crowfoot

"Part of the Indians gave up their land. I never did. The earth is part of my body, and I never gave up the earth." ~Native Americans

"People and nations who understand the Natural Law are self-governing, following the principles of love and respect that insure freedom and peace." ~Traditional Circle of Elders, NAVAJO-HOPI Joint Use Area

"Gentleness is one of the greatest attributes of the Warrior and one of the greatest mental powers. It takes a lot of love to be gentle. Gentleness is not an ego word. Gentleness is the weapon of the Great Spirit." ~Leon Shenandoah ONONDAGA

"People become more civilized, more peaceful, more as God intended them to be when they take time to make friends out of acquaintances." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"Pray to understand what man has forgotten." ~Lumbee

"Race and language makes no difference; the barriers are gone when persons can come together on high spiritual levels." ~Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE

"Religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been there." ~Vine Deloria, Sioux

"Religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell, Spirituality is for those who have already been there…." ~Running Hawk, Lakota Nation, (Pine Ridge)

"She maybe quiet, but she's a warrior and her prayers can move mountains." ~Native Americans

"Show each person the courtesy to let them be choose their way of life, and their beliefs, then respect it, provided they do no harm to others, be it mankind to the animals, or our Mother Earth." ~E. C. Montana

"Silence is always better than bullshit." ~Old Indian Wisdom 

"Sometimes we listen with our hearts and understand in silence. Sometimes we simply have to put ourselves into a situation to understand all sides of it. And we best do so by listening." ~Native American Spirituality and Thought

"Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it." ~Arapaho

"Teach your children what we taught our children - that the Earth is our Mother." ~Native Americans

"The character of the Indian's emotion left little room in his heart for antagonism toward his fellow creatures. For the Indian, mountains, lakes, rivers, springs, valleys, and the woods were all in finished beauty. Winds, rain, snow, sunshine, day, night, and change of seasons were endlessly fascinating. Birds, insects and animals filled the world with knowledge that defied the comprehension of man." ~Lakota

"The Clan Mothers ran everything and had the last word. I think that's the answer." ~Floyd Red Cow Westerman

"The colour of the skin makes no difference. What is good and just for one is good and just for the other, and the Great Spirit made all men brothers." ~White Shield (Arikara Chief)

"The drums will always beat loudly in our hearts even through the noise of the world, and every time your feet touch our Mother Earth our souls will feel the pull of those who walked before us." ~William WindWalker

"The earth has received the embrace of the sun and we shall see the result of that love." ~Chief Sitting Bull

"The earth was created by the assistance of the sun, and it should be left as it was. The country was made without lines of demarcation, and it is no man's business to divide it. " ~Chief Joseph , NEZ PERCE

"The Elders say the men should look at women in a sacred way. The men should never put women down or shame them in any way. When we have problems, we should seek their counsel. We should share with them openly. A woman has intuitive thought. She has access to another system of knowledge that few men develop. She can help us understand. We must treat her in a good way." ~Ya. Native

"The Elders say the Native American women will lead the healing among the tribes. We need to especially pray for our women, and ask the Creator to bless them and give them strength. Inside them are the powers of love and strength given by the Moon and the Earth. When everyone else gives up, it is the women who sings the songs of strength. She is the backbone of the people. So, to our women we say, sing your song of strength; pray for your special powers; keep our people strong; be respectful, gentle, and modest. Oh, Great One, bless our women. Make them strong today." ~Native Americans

“The elders were wise. They know that man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; they knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for humans too." ~Chief Luther Standing Bear from the Lakota Sioux 

"The fire of hope almost went out; we have to rekindle it." ~Chief Red Cloud (Mahpiya Luta), Oglala Lakota (1822-1909)

"The greatest gift we can seek is peace of mind, to walk in balance, to respect all things." ~Elders (ONONDAGA)

"The greatest strength is in gentleness." ~Leon Shenandoah ONONDAGA

"That spiritual power I wear is much more beautiful and much greater. We call it wisdom, knowledge, power and gift or love. There are these four parts to that spiritual power. So I wear those. When you wear that power it will beautify your mind and spirit". ~Wallace Black Elk, Lakota Sioux-

"The earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves."  ~Chief Seattle

"The greatest tragedy of life is not that we quarrel with our fellows, but that we do not take the time to know them." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"The growing and dying of the moon reminds us of our ignorance which comes and goes, but when the moon is full it is as if the Great Spirit were upon the whole world." ~Black Elk, Sioux

"The hearts of little children are pure, and therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss." ~Black Elk (Hehaka Sapa) OGLALA LAKOTA

"The land is sacred. These words are at the core of our being. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die. That is, the Indian in us dies." ~Mary Brave Bird, Lakota

"The land weeps for the buffalo. It weeps for the Natives who think like settlers. It weeps for the children who think like adults. But, most of all, it weeps for the slaves who think they are free." ~Native Americans

"The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves." ~Black Elk(Oglala)

“The mere possession of a vision is not the same as living it, nor can we encourage others with it if we do not, ourselves, understand and follow its truths................For centuries, others have sought their visions. They prepare themselves, so that if the Creator desires them to know their life's purpose, then a vision would be revealed. To be blessed with visions is not enough...we must live them!” ~High Eagle

"The mind is like a bag with a drawstring. When the string is pulled so tight that nothing can go into the bag or come out---that is nervous tension. The problem is held in and the solution is kept out. At these times it helps to walk---at least far enough to detach from everything that reminds a worrier that she/he is hemmed in. While the feet are busy, the mind relaxes---maybe not to the point of being tranquil but at least to be able to adav tesgv, think clearly or work things out mentally. And during the walk, deliberately turn thoughts to vision---seeing every detail, every sunflower. Look at the shape of a leaf, the spider's web, and look for color, and be grateful for the ears to hear and the eyes to see. Nothing heals the spirit and opens the way like turning loose of a problem." ~Dekanawidah,  Author of Iroquois Constitution 

"The mountains are our brothers, the rivers our sisters, the air our breath, the land our kin. And we are all connected." ~Chief Seattle

"The old people must start talking and the young people must start listening." ~Thomas Banyacya, Hopi

"The only thing necessary for tranquility in the world is that every child grows up happy." ~Chief Dan George

"The Red Nation shall rise again
and it shall be a blessing for a sick world;
a world filled with broken promises,
selfishness and separations;
a world longing for light again.
I see a time of Seven Generations
when all the colours of mankind
will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life
and the whole Earth will become one circle again."
~Crazy Horse

"The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves." ~Black Elk from FB Native Americans

"The Warriors greatest strength is his heart." ~Native Americans

"The women are closest to the land - we need them to become our leaders. And as men, we are servants and protectors of Mother Earth. Only in this harmony will we find balance." ~François Paulette, Dene traditionalist

"There are relationships in our lives better and closer than the ordinary. Closer yet than brothers or sisters are those with whom we can share all our secrets, we think." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"There can never be peace between nations until it is first known that true peace is within the souls of men." ~Oglala Sioux

“There is a longing among all people and creatures to have a sense of purpose and worth. To satisfy that common longing in all of us we must respect each other.”  ~Chief Dan George

"There is an ancient Indian saying that something lives only as long as the last person who remembers it. My people have come to trust memory over history. Memory, like fire, is radiant and immutable while history serves only those who seek to control it, those who douse the flame of memory in order to put out the dangerous fire of truth. Beware these men for they are dangerous themselves and unwise. Their false history is written in the blood of those who might remember and of those who seek the truth." ~Floyd Red Crow Westerman

“There is no death. Only a change of worlds.” ~Chief Seattle

"These words are mine and they are true." ~Chief Meninock

"This earth is the dust of our ancestor's bones, and her righteousness is perpetuated by our integrity, reverence and respect." ~Native Americans

"This is all about pulling together, becoming more united not just as first nations, but as people. We are fighting for our culture, for the ocean and for our right to fresh, clean, untainted water." ~Haida Elder, Tribal Journeys 2014

"To be a good listener endears many a friendship. Everyone needs someone with whom to talk at length on all subjects without later regret. " ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"To be able to greet the sun with the sounds from all of Nature is a great blessing, and it helps us to remember WHO is the real provider of all of our benefits." ~Thomas Yellowtail

"To dance is to pray
To pray is to heal
To heal is to give
To give is to is to live
To live is to dance."
~Native Americans

"TO WALK THE RED ROAD, you have less fear of being wrong, because you know that life is a journey, a continuous circle, a sacred hoop. Mistakes will be made and mistakes can be corrected if you will be humble, for if you cannot be humble, you will never know when you have made a mistake." ~Chief Tatanka (Chief Sitting Bull)

"Trusting Creator is wisdom.
Knowing Creator is peace.
Loving Creator is strength.
Faith in Creator is courage."
~Native Americans

"Try to see everyone through the eyes of our Creator for this is how we find love and compassion for all." ~Ya-Native

"Understanding comes when people are allowed to talk to one another. They discover the ways and needs, the loves and hopes, and the despairs and fears when they take enough time to speak of them. All these things that make for understanding and compassion come from personal contact and the knowledge and practice of good will." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"Walking, I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands." ~Linda Hogan (b. 1947), Native American writer

"Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, for no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is the one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who cannot provide for themselves, and, above all, the children, the future of humanity." ~Chief Sitting Bull

"Water is really sacred. Water is life. Mother Earth doesn't need us, we need her … We shouldn't have to fight for our water, we should just be able to have clean drinking water." ~Autumn Peltier

"We all come from the same root, but the leaves are all different." ~John Fire Lame Deer (Native American)

"We are here to heal, not harm.
We are here to love, not hate.
We are here to create, not destroy,"
~The Great Mystery
Wakan Tanka

"We are the natural nurturers of the Earth Mother. The Earth Mother needs our help, she needs our prayers. We need to educate the women of the world that prayer works." ~Grandmother Agnes Baker-Pilgrim

"We cannot own the land. We are but custodians of the land.' Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker)

“We do not go into ceremony to talk about God. We go into ceremony to talk with God.” ~Quanah Parker, Comanche

"We do not walk alone. Great Being walks beside us. Know this and be grateful." ~Polingaysi Qoyawayma, Hopi

"We give thanks to our Creator and Mother Earth for All we have been given." ~Native Americans 

"We have been guilty of only one sin - we have had possessions that the white man coveted." ~Eagle Wing (Sioux),1881

"We know that the white man does not understand our way of life. One part of the earth is for him just as any other, for he is a stranger that arrives in the night and takes from earth whatever he needs. The earth isn't his brother, but an enemy, and when he has acquired he moves on. He leaves behind the grave of his father and doesn't care much. He doesn't care that he is taking earth from his children. The grave of his father, and the birth rights of his children are forgotten. He treats his mother - earth, and his brother - the sky, as something that can be bought, robbed and sold like sheep or shiny pearls. His appetite will devour the earth and he will leave behind only a desert." ~Chief Seattle

"We need to save those Elders who cannot speak for themselves - the trees." ~Haida Gwaii, Circle of Elders

"We were taught generosity to the poor and reverence for the Great Mystery. Religion was the basis of all Indian training." ~Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), SANTEE SIOUX

"What a sad state of affairs when life imparts that others cannot always be trusted. What a shock to realize we have given all our hearts and bared our souls to people whose curiosity was the only motive that compelled them to listen." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

"What if our religion was each other, if our practice was our life, if prayers our words, what if …" ~Ganga White

"What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the Wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." ~Crowfoot

"What you see with your eyes shut is what counts." ~Lame Deer

"When in doubt, be still and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long, as mists envelope you, be still; Be still until the sunlight pours through and dispel the mists, as it surely will; Then act with courage." ~Ponca

"When the blood in your veins returns to the sea, and the earth in your bones returns to the ground, perhaps then you will remember that this land does not belong to you. It is you who belong to this land." ~Native Americans

"When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colours, classes, creeds and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the Warriors of the Rainbow." ~Old Native American Prophecy

"When the earth is sick and dying, there will come a tribe of people from all races. They will put their faith in deeds, not words, and make the planet green again …" ~Cree

"When the earth is sick, the animals begin to disappear, when that happens, the Warriors of the Rainbow will come to save them." ~Chief Seattle

"When the Grandmothers speak, the Earth will be healed." ~Hopi

"When we are born, it is water that comes first. Birth is sacred and so is the water." ~Ya Native

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” - Tecumseh

"When you find the peace within yourself, you know you have found the path." ~Native Americans

"When you grow up and you are ready, your ancestors show up to guide you." ~David White Hawk

"When you lose the drumbeat of spirit, you are lost from the peace and rhythm of life." ~Cheyenne

"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." ~Chief Tecumseh

"When you get older and you are ready, your ancestors will show up to guide you." ~Joe Coyhis, Stockbridge-Munsee

"When you respect water, that water will respect you back. If you don't respect water, that water will take you - that's when you drown." ~Leo Pard, Piikani Nation

"When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself." ~Tecumseh

"When you see a new trail, or a footprint that you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing." ~Grandmother of Charles Eastman, SANTEE

"When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with 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." ~Tecumseh

"Wisdom and peace come when you start living the life the Creator intended for you." ~Geronimo, Apache Chief, 1829-1909‬

"Without a sacred centre, no one knows right from wrong." ~Thomas Yellowtail, CROW

"You are made from an ancestor's dreams, prayers, and songs. You are both a warrior and a healer." ~Native Americans

"You have to have a lot of patience to hear those old people talk, because when they talk, they talk about motivation, the feeling, the unsound that is around the universe. They explain everything to one understanding. They bring it all together, and when they finish, just one word comes out. Just one word. They might talk all day, and just one word comes out." ~Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

"You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free be contented to be penned up" ~Joseph (1830-1904), NEZ PERCE CHIEF ( Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekeht - from Reggie Arthur)

"You must give to the river the kindness you would Give to any brother." ~Chief Seattle

"You will remain a commodity for as long as the Empire exists." ~Russell Means

Native Wisdom

"Another whole world opens up when we close our eyes and calm our mind. Be still and know; be still and hear; be still and see; be still and feel. Inside every person is a still, small voice. Sometime it is necessary to close our eyes to shut down our perception in order to see. Try this occasionally; when you are talking to your child or spouse, close your eyes and listen to them. Listen to the tone of their voice; listen to their excitement; listen to their pain-listen. Great Spirit, today, let me hear only what really counts." ~LAKOTA

"Anxiety is as contagious as measles. Even when we are calm and secure, listening to what could happen - what likely will happen - can drag us into deep anxiety. Be on guard against the spread of rumors and what "could" happen. Sure, things can happen and most likely will if we start listening to the sensational reports that the whole population could be wiped out by overeating. We could also be bruised by running into the bones of skinny people - but neither is apt to happen. Use some common sense, refuse to be roped into thinking every report is gospel. And give yourself credit for using your head in hearing anxious reports. We preferred our own way of living." ~CRAZY HORSE - SIOUX

"Big changes require many small ones. Any change seems sudden, regardless of how much we prepare for it. We wait for it, expect it, and resent its intrusion. Change is needed to stay young and vital and moving. Without it we stagnate, lose our keenness of thought, and too often fall into melancholy. Even in the best of times change takes a certain amount of adjustment. Our biggest problem with change is that we expect it to be bad rather than something that will make us happier. To a tsa su ga, a flea, a dog is the whole world, says a Cherokee. As much as we like where we are, it isn’t the whole world. There are bigger things---and better. We have to be able to see beyond the dog. I have made myself what I am." ~TECUMSEH 1810

EARTH TEACH ME TO REMEMBER 

Earth teach me stillness 

as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me suffering

as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility\

as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth teach me caring

as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courage

as the tree which stands alone.

Earth teach me limitation 

as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom 

as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignation 

as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regeneration 

as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself 

as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness 

as dry fields weep in the rain.

~Ute, North American

"Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we share the Earth:-
Four-legged, two-legged, winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty."
~Native American Elder

"I CHOOSE"
… To live by choice, not by chance,
… To be motivated, not manipulated,
… To be useful, not used,
… To make changes, not excuses,
… To excel, not compete.

I choose self-esteem, not self-pity,
I choose to listen to my inner voice,
Not to the random opinions of others."
~DSB, Native Americans

"Like attracts like. If we give up, so will others. If we cry, so will they. But if we decide this is a new beginning, others will take courage. We influence other people. Our attitudes send out ripples of feeling - like the scent of flowers that floats on air currents. What we think and say sets the stage for what is to happen. We can change our minds, our words, our attitudes, and we stop crying. We act like our prayers are already answered and take steps to show we believe it. When the early morning sun breaks through the far side of the woods, the dark places are lighted and much healing takes place. And so it is with us." ~Great Spirit, you lived first, and you are older than all need. ~BLACK ELK

"Love is something you and I must have.
We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it.
We must have it because without it, we become weak and faint.
Without love, our self-esteem weakens.
Without it, our courage fails.
Without love, we can no longer look out confidently at the world. We turn inward and begin to feed upon our own personalities, and little by little we destroy ourselves." ~Chief Dan George (1899 - 1981), Tsleil-Waututh

"Most of us fear that someone will challenge our right to be a certain way, to be able to do a certain thing. What will people think if they find out we are only ordinary human beings? What others think does not count for much. It is what we think about ourselves and what we tell ourselves that make all the difference. Of course we are ordinary—why shouldn’t we be? What is wrong with being a good person? Who can dare suggest there is something wrong with having high values and respect for ourselves? Think well of yourself, live your life well—and let others think what they want. If we are wounded we go to Mother Earth ... to heal us." ~BEDAGI, WABANAKI

"Much has grieved us, we cannot deny it. Strong as we are, believing as we do, we are still grieved, and we must overcome it. To stop grieving does not mean we no longer care, but that we cannot let this emotion consume us when we need a steady hand and a firm step. It will creep back in unlikely moments to make us cry but time will replace the pain with happy memories. Once we have a flicker of light we can know that grieving is at an end. It can no longer take our whole thought because we have things to do, places to go, and a life to live. This is the time.
"He orders all things, and He has given us a fine day." ~Native American Spirituality and Thoughts

“Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked in his moccasins for two weeks.” ~Sioux Indian Prayer

"O' GREAT SPIRIT,
help me always to speak
the truth quietly,
to listen with an open mind
when others speak,
and to remember the peace
that may be found in silence."
~Cherokee Prayer

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

Micmac Prayer

O Our Creator and Great Grandfather of all,
Who dwells in the Spirit land 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.

Source: Ya-Native dot com
Author: Reamus Wilson

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

A PUEBLO INDIAN PRAYER

Hold on to what is good,
Even if it's a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it's a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do
Even if it's a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
Even if it's easier to let go.

Hold on to my hand,
Even if someday
I'll be gone away from you,
"Hold On!"

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

"The attitude of our leaders will be the attitude of the people. The attitude of the parents will be the attitude of the children. If respect is shown from above, respect will be developed below. If the Elders show respect, the younger people will be respectful. As above, so below. This happens because of interconnectedness. The heart of the Elders is connected to the heart of the youth.
"As Elders, it is our place to show respect to our young people in order to gain respect." ~Grace Azak, NISGA'A

"There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled, which leads to an unknown, secret place. The old people came literally to love the soil, and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to a mothering power. Their teepees were built upon the earth and their altars were made of earth.
The soul was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing. That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of propping himself up and away from its life giving forces. For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him." ~Chief Luther Standing Bear

"We are created by God to be vision people. First we set the goal and then we see. If we create within ourselves a picture or vision and we hold that picture or vision in our mind, whatever we picture will show up in our reality. If we can see ourselves being educated, then schools and teachers will show up in our lives. If we picture in our mind a positive, spiritual person to be in our lives, we will attract this type of person in our relationships. How big can our dreams be?" ~Fools Crow, LAKOTA

"We have to believe that it is possible to have the courage needed to do the impossible. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all there is to do in our lives - and even more overwhelmed by what needs to be done in the world. Courage will help us do what Spirit calls us to do.

Courage doesn't mean not to have fear or not to feel overwhelmed; courage means to act from the heart. If the Spirit lives in our heart, we can move ahead with confidence. There may be no signs that promise better times, but remember they are possible. Depend on that glimmer of inner light and know that those who do the impossible are those who kept going when everyone said it couldn't be done.

We were given food that was rich and sweet to the taste." ~KICKING BIRD, KIOWA

"We never gain new knowledge or new experience unless we are willing to take risks. It's good to be curious. Also, it pays to be cautious. Walk in balance. The path of the Warrior is filled with opportunities to seek new knowledge. As we travel down the Red Road, we will run into trails of opportunity. Down each of these trails are experiences from which we will learn. Experience plus action is the beginning of knowledge." ~Grandmother of Charles Eastman, SANTEE SIOUX

"What is life?
It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime.
It is the little shadow which runs across
the grass and loses itself in the sunset."
~Crowfoot

"What's important to you? What do you listen for? If you are in tune with the Great Spirit, you will be able to hear when It speaks." ~Native American (Anon)

"We're sitting on our blessed Mother Earth from which we get our strength and determination, love and humility, all the beautiful attributes that we've been given. So turn to one another; love one another; respect one another; respect Mother Earth; respect the waters-because that's life itself!" ~Phil Lane, Sr. YANKTON SIOUX

"When I am too old and feeble to follow my sheep or cultivate my corn, I plan to sit in the house, carve Katichina dolls, and tell my nephews and nieces the story of my life... Then I want to be buried in the Hopi way. Perhaps my boy will dress me in the costume of a Special Officer, place a few beads around my neck, put a paho and some sacred corn meal in my hand, and fasten inlaid turquoise to my ears. If he wishes to put me in a coffin, he may do even that, but he must leave the lid unlocked, place food near by, and set up a grave ladder so that I can climb out. I shall hasten to my dear ones, but I will return with good rains and dance as a Katcina in the plaza with my ancestors..." ~Don Talayesva (Hopi Sun Clan Chief)

"When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money." ~Cree Prophecy

"When  the elderly die,  a library is lost and volumes of wisdom and knowledge are gone." ~A'Ho

"Wisdom come at a great price. It is not stumbled upon or given. It is bought and paid for by experiences and a willingness to learn from everything.
The same is so for humor for without sorrow, Joy is false and amounts to nothing more than a laugh or two." ~Ulanigida Selu

"You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves. This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. 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 ..." ~Chief Seattle

Poetry

"Great Spirit in the Sky....
Here I stand with tears in my eyes
See my brokeness
Help me with your strengh
To walk right on the red path
Being aware of what I depend
The Mother Earth
The Father Sky
The Four Directions
All my relations
In the mineral, plants and animals
And between men of all colors
That I seek for truth and don't forget the humbleness
As i know all comes from You
And its my duty to take care of it
To keep it in balance
And not hurt anybody
And be ready to forgive
And give love as I received it
As we all walk at your feet
So I can come to You with a clear mind
And do the things you want me to do
To keep this circle of life going on in balance."
~Author Unknown

On The Red Road

"Sometimes though I may not understand why things turn out the way they do
I always know Creator ,that you have your reasons and that my life is guided by you
I will never doubt and I promise to always listen to what you’re telling me
I will always follow my heart for I know that is where you are, and I believe
I have been so blessed by you I know , My faith in you is undying
Even through my struggles, I knew , even when I was crying
I embrace your love always , Your love is so amazing to me
I am in awe each day by the miracle of your love and your peace
In me you have a loyal servant , and I will do all that I can do
To spread the love, the joy, the peace and harmony of you
On the Red Road ,with love in my heart,I will walk through my journey
With respect to all of your creations, my heart filled with your beauty."
~Halona Yazzie

"Walk on a trail of song
and all about you will be beauty.
There is a way out of every dark mist,
over the rainbow trail."
~Navajo Poem

"Walk tall as the trees;
Live strong as the mountains,
Be gentle as the spring winds,
Keep the warm of the summer sun,
In your heart, and the Great Spirit
Will always be with you."
~In The Company of Wolves, FB

"I walk with Earth under my feet
I walk with visions in my eyes
I walk with fire inside me
I walk with Spirits as my guides
When I feel like I can't breathe
I take a walk and I am healed
I'm walking back to the center
I'm walking through the sacred field
I'm walking deeper and deeper
Learning the secrets to the night
I'm looking into the fire
I'm looking past the light
When I feel like I can't breathe
I take a walk and I am healed
I'm walking back to the center
I'm running through the sacred field
I hear them calling my name."
~The Great Spirit, FB

A young Lakota asked his Grandfather why life had to be so difficult sometimes. This was the old mans reply:

Grandfather says this

In life there is sadness as well as joy
Losing as well as well as winning
Falling as well as standing
Hunger as well as plenty
Bad as well as good

Grandfather does not say this
To make you despair
But to teach you reality
To teach you that life is a journey
Sometimes walked in light
Sometimes in shadow

Grandfather says this

You did not ask to be born
But you are here
You have weaknesses
As well as strength
You have both because in life
There are two of everything

Within you is the will to win
As well as the willingness to lose
The heart to feel compassion
As well as the smallness to be arrogant
Within you is the way to face life
As well as the fear to turn away from it

Grandfather says this

Life can give you strength
It can come from facing the storms of life
From knowing loss
From feeling sadness and heartache
From falling into the depths of grief

You must stand up in the storm
You must face the wind
And the cold and the darkness
When the storm blows hard
You must stand firm
For it is not trying to knock you down
It is really trying to teach you to be strong

Grandfather says this

Being strong means taking one more step
Towards the top of the hill
No matter how weary you may be
It means letting the tears flow
Through the grief
It means to keep looking for the answer
Though darkness of despair is all around you

It means to cling to hope
For one more heartbeat
For one more sunrise
Each step, no matter how difficult
Is one more step closer
To the top of the hill

To keep hope alive
For one more heartbeat at a time
Leads to the light of the next sunrise
And the promise of a new day

Grandfather says this

The weakest step
Towards the top of the hill
Towards the sunrise
Towards hope
Is stronger
Then the fieriest storm

Grandfather says this

Keep going

~Courtesy Walking with Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders by Joseph Marshall

THE LEGEND OF THE CHEROKEE ROSE

"When the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were grieving and cried so much, they were unable to help their children survive the journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would lift the mothers' spirits to give them strength. The next day a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mothers' tears fell. The rose is white for their tears, a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven clans." ~from Native Americans

LAKOTA CODE OF ETHICS
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy - and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.

7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.

12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

20. Share your good fortune with others.

~Native American Wisdom and Beauty Page
(Wikoskalaka Yuwita Pi - Lakota Gathering of Young Women, 30 September 2014 )

You cannot be truthful if you are not courageous.
You cannot be loving if you are not courageous.
You cannot be trusting if you are not courageous.
You cannot enter into reality if you are not courageous.
Hence courage comes first... and everything else follows.”

Often the real test of courage
is not to die, but to live.
Have courage for the great sorrows of life
and patience for the small ones;
and when you have laboriously accomplished
your daily task, go to sleep in peace.
God is awake.

When you know who you are;
when your mission is clear and you
burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will;
no cold can touch your heart;
no deluge can dampen your purpose.
You know that you are alive.
~Chief Seattle

PERSPECTIVES

"For the Lakota, kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky and water was a real and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them. And so close did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue.

The animals had rights -- the right of man's protection, the right to live, the right to multiply, the right to freedom, and the right to man's indebtedness -- and in recognition of these rights the Lakota never enslaved an animal and spared all life that was not needed for food and clothing. For the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them.

This concept of life and its relations was humanizing and gave to the Lakota an abiding love. It filled his being with the joy and mystery of living; it gave him reverence for all life; it made a place for all things in the scheme of existence with equal importance to all.

From Wakan Tanka, the Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things -- the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals -- and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery."

~Luther Standing Bear
(Ota Kte, Mochunozhin)
(1868-1939) Lakota chief

Source: Native American FB Page

The Story of Buffalo Lake

"Our people were nomadic, but they often stayed in the same places during different times of the year. One Autumn, the plants, animals and sky told the people it was time to go to winter camp. The trip was fairly rigorous. One grandmother decided to stay behind. She was getting on in years, and had become weak and sickly. She didn't want to burden her family and clan, whom she loved very much. When the people packed up to leave, she let them know that her time on this earthly plane was through, and she wouldn't be making the journey south. They were sad, but respected her wishes. Soon after they left, winter hit. The blizzard lasted for days. She kept warm in her tipi beside the fire with her loyal sunka (dog). She smudged and prayed and waited for death to come- but she'd awaken each morning, still alive. Finally, the storm broke, but it was bitterly cold for a long time. Then early one day, she heard a strange noise. There was a mighty rumble, and then cracking. She opened up her tipi flap. There on the frozen  nearby was a herd of buffalo, trapped on the ice. Most perished. Well, the grandmother couldn't let this bounty go to waste. One by one, she skinned them, butchered them, tanned the hides, and dried the meat. This went on for weeks. Then when Spring came, the people returned. They were starving and sick. The Winter was harsh everywhere that year. Food reserves had run short, and other campsites could not provide for their needs. Imagine their surprise when they saw the grandmother, not only alive, but thriving. She had plenty of meat, hides and supplies for everyone. She saved them all. She lived for several winters more, stronger than ever. We still remember her. This is the story of Buffalo Lake, South Dakota, on the Lake Traverse Reservation, as it was told to me by an elder." ~Ruth Robertson-Hopkins:

Source:FB

OTHERS

"Counting coup, (pronounced "coo") is a way of defeating an enemy without killing. It'd be like holding a gun to someone's head and handing them a bullet before walking away." ~Kale Kerfoot

"Coup means instead of killing someone in battle, you do the braver thing and touch the enemy with your lance but not hurt them." ~Tom Barlow Counting

“For Native Americans, mirrors were symbols of wealth and prestige." ~Edwin L. Wade, a specialist in native culture (Beyond Buckskin)

"Language is a vehicle for carrying spirit, life and family. Language, religion and land base are three things that characterise culture." ~Edmund Ladd, ZUNI PUEBLO ( Native American Spirituality and Thoughts)

"There is no royal road to anything - One thing at a time, and all things in succession. That which grows slowly endures." ~J. G. Holland (Native American Spirituality and Thoughts)

Source: FB

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

"One day, when I was a little girl, my brother and I were on the playground. We saw a beautiful little blond haired girl and we went to play with her. She told my brother 'go home and wash your skin, you're dirty'. My little brother and I ran home crying to our Unci (grandmother). She laid a blanket down and said "Iyotakapi Takoja' (sit down grandchildren) she sat down with us and took a pinch of dirt from the ground and rubbed it into my arm. As it blended into my arm she said 'This is where you come from Takoja, -Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) This is who we are. You are Lakota and as a Lakota person you are the foundation that holds everything." ~Unci Marie Randall 

Source: FB

~•✿•~ ~•✿•~

Quotes from Ya.Native

"Day and night cannot dwell together." ~Duwamish

"The souls of my ancestors peer out from behibd my mask of skin and through my memories they live again. Never forget where you came from." ~

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THANK YOU

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