Only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught - Only then will mankind find that money cannot be eaten.
The words of our grandmothers and grandfathers have taught us respect for the Web of Life and the interdependence of all things in the Universe. The stories passed down through oral traditions remind us that we are all connected.
Mankind must be a steward of the Earth; caretakers for all that dwells upon it; to be of one heart with all things.
Human beings must learn to share the tears of every living thing, to feel in his heart the pain of the wounded animal, each crushed blade of grass;
Mother Earth is our flesh, the rocks our bones, the rivers are the blood in our veins.
We are all children of God. Traditions are open to anyone who wants to learn.
A man who walks in the shadows of others will never see his own.
Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.
All of this Creation is Sacred.
And so do not forget...every dawn as it comes is a holy event and every day is holy, for the light comes from Wakan Tanka. Also you must remember that the Two-leggeds and All other peoples who stand upon this earth are sacred and should be treated as such.
The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers - and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere - it is within each of us.
Black Elk, Holy Man of the Oglala Souix
Grandfather, I ask you to bless the white man, he needs your wisdom, your guidance. He has tried for so long to destroy my people and only feels comfortable when given power.
Bless them with wisdom. Show them the peace we understand.
Teach them humility, for I feel they will destroy themselves and all our children as they have done for so long with Mother Earth.
I plead, I cry, after all they are my brothers and sisters.
Sandy Kewenhaptewa, Hopi
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 bow 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 living 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 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.
