We learned cleverness from the crow and courage from the jay, who will attack an owl ten times its size to drive it off its territory. “We learned to be patient observers like the owl. That is, the Indian in us dies.” – Mary Brave Bird, Lakota The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. These words are at the core of your being.
Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.” – Chief Aupumut in 1725, Mohican. “When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. “We are now about to take our leave and kind farewell to our native land, the country the Great Spirit gave our Fathers we are on the eve of leaving that country that gave us birth, it is with sorrow we are forced by the white man to quit the scenes of our childhood…we bid farewell to it and all we hold dear.” – Charles Hicks, Tsalagi ( Cherokee) Vice Chief speaking of the Trail of Tears, November 4, 1838 Every Indian wants to look his best when he goes to meet the Great Spirit, so the dressing up is done whether in imminent danger is an oncoming battle or a sickness or injury at times of peace.” -Wooden Leg (late 19th century) Cheyenne The preparation is for death, in case that should be the result of the conflict. “The idea of a full dress for preparation for a battle comes not from a belief that it will add to the fighting ability. “It was supposed that lost spirits were roving about everywhere in the invisible air, waiting for children to find them if they searched long and patiently enough… sang its spiritual song for the child to memorize and use when calling upon the spirit guardian as an adult.” – Mourning Dove, Salish He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers he belongs just as the buffalo belonged…” – Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux Chief He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings.
“The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. “This war did not spring up on our land this war was brought upon us by the children of the Great Father who came to take our land without a price, and who, in our land, do a great many evil things… This war has come from robbery – from the stealing of our land.” – Spotted Tail
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