The Wisdom of the Native Americans: Including The Soul of an Indian and Other Writings of Ohiyesa and the Great Speeches of Red Jacket, Chief Joseph, and Chief Seattle

by Kent Nerburn (Editor)

These thought-provoking teachings from respected Native American leaders and thinkers provide a connection with the land, the environment, and the simple beauties of life. This collection of writings from revered Native Americans offers timeless, meaningful lessons on living and learning.

Genres: Nonfiction, Native American, History, Philosophy, Spirituality, Indigenous, Native Americans

217 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

I'm a child of the 60's, a son of the north, and a lover of dogs.

Grew up in a crackerbox post-war bungalow outside of Minneapolis with my mother and father, two younger sisters, various dogs and cats, and a neighborhood full of rugrat kids playing outside until called in for the night.

Studied American Studies at the University of Minnesota, Religious Studies and Humanities at Stanford University, received a Ph.D. in Religion and Art in a joint program at Graduate Theological Union and the University of California at Berkeley. Lots of learning, lots of awards. Phi Beta Kappa. Summa cum Laude. Lots of stuff that looks good on paper.

But just as important, an antique restorer's shop in Marburg, Germany; the museums of Florence; a sculpture studio in the back alleys of Pietrasanta, Italy; an Indian reservation in the forests of northern Minnesota; and, perhaps above all, the American road.

Always a watcher, always a wanderer, perhaps too empathetic for my own good, more concerned with the "other" than the "self", always more interested in what people believed than in what they thought. A friend of the ordinary and the life of the streets.

Twenty years as a sculptor -- over-life sized images hand-chiseled from large tree trunks -- efforts to embody emotional and spiritual states in wood. Then, still searching, years helping young people collect memories of the tribal elders on the Red Lake Ojibwe reservation in the Minnesota north. Then writing,

always writing, finding a voice and even a calling, helping Native America tell its story.

A marriage, children, a home on a pine-rimmed lake near the Minnesota-Canadian border.

Book after book, seventeen in all, ever seeking the heartbeat of people's belief. Journeys, consolations, the caring observer, always the teacher, always the learner. Ever mindful of the wise counsel of an Ojibwe elder, "Always teach by stories, because stories lodge deep in the heart."

Through grace and good luck, an important trilogy (Neither Wolf nor Dog, The Wolf at Twilight, and The Girl who Sang to the Buffalo), a film, Minnesota Book Awards, South Dakota book of the year, many "community reads," book sales around the world.

In the end, a reluctant promoter, a quiet worker, a seeker of an authentic American spirituality, more concerned with excellence than quantity. Proud to be referred to as "a guerilla theologian" and honored to be called "the one writer who can respectfully bridge the gap between native and non-Native cultures". But more honored still to hear a twelve-year-old girl at one of my readings whisper to her mom, "He's a really nice man."

At heart, just an ordinary person, grateful to be a father and a husband, more impressed by kindness than by power, doing what I can with the skills that I have to pay my rent for my time on earth. And trying, always trying, to live by Sitting Bull's entreaty: "Come let us put our minds together to see what kind of lives we can create for our children."

And petting every dog that I can.

Reviews

[Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book...filled with wisdom that never grows old. What a different society this would be, had we followed the native American ways. "Silence is the mother of truth, for the silent man was ever to be trusted, while the man ever ready with speech was never taken seriously." - Chief Luther Standing Bear - Teton Sioux. "You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts." - Cochise (I would give this book many more stars than are available!)

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I listened to the audio edition of this book. On Goodreads, the audio edition does not give credit to the author, just the editor. I felt this was a disservice to the author, so I am using an edition that clearly states the author.
The book is a compilation of thoughts, quotes of Native Americans taken from historical documents. Not really for entertainment, more for meditation and reflection. I have great respect for the author and his work. I was moved to tears more than once in listening to the simple but so profound thoughts.
The audio edition is very well done with various speakers male and female. And yes, the editor did a fine job. I will be listening again and again. As in the case of the holocaust and any dire historical event, we need to remember and work to be better.

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book full of timeless quotes regarding different aspects of life.

[Cher 'N Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars = Utterly incredible. One of the best books I've read this year.

The spirit of the Native people, the first people, has never died. It lives in the rocks and the forests, the rivers and the mountains. It murmurs in the brooks and whispers in the trees. The hearts of these people were formed of the earth that we now walk, and their voice can never be silenced.

An enlightening collection of treasured words from Native American leaders that are sorted by topic. It is best read in thoughtful small segments at a time, and is a priceless addition to my library. I am very thankful that their words have been preserved for their wisdom still rings true today, even after all these years.
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First Sentence: In 1492, Columbus and his crew, lost, battered, and stricken with dysentery, were helped ashore by a people he described as “neither black nor white...fairly tall, good looking and well proportioned.”

Favorite Quotes: What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth. (Chief Seattle)

There is no death. Only a change of worlds.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

Our transition from our natural life to the artificial life of civilization has resulted in great spiritual and moral loss.

When you see a new trail, or a footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing. (Uncheedah The grandmother of Ohiyesa).

[Natacha Pavlov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very quick, enlightening read. I’m glad I chose to read it before starting on Mayflower/Thanksgiving-related material as it truly sheds a lot of light upon the cultural differences between the Natives and Europeans. It’s also helped me to see—when reading Western accounts of events—the areas where the Europeans misunderstood/lacked the understanding of the cultural differences which likely could’ve prevented feuds on both sides.

The sayings of Ohiyesa (Sioux), Chief Red Jacket (Seneca), Chief Joseph (Nez Percé), and Chief Seattle (Duwamish) are heartfelt and touching, deserving of my utmost appreciation and respect.
I was impressed by their focus on oral tradition, which puts a twist on the idea of absolutely needing to write things down in order to preserve a culture and/or its memories. Their relationship to all living things also gave them a sense of clairvoyance, and their warnings against upsetting the balance of nature seemed to be a foreshadowing of ongoing global warming phenomena.

The most touching thing to me however was that I often felt that the Natives’ spirit was much more in tune with what I’d think of as being true Christianity, particularly if compared to the way the Europeans treated them at the time. I can’t help but wonder how different things might’ve been if the colonialists had realized that instead of letting their superiority complexes ultimately dictate much of their actions.

Some books I read and aren’t worth keeping; this one will most definitely remain in my collection and will come highly recommended.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of observations and quotes from many great native American leaders across the country. The key topics and observations include the ways of the land, the ways of words and silence, the ways of learning, the ways of living, the ways of leading others, the ways of the heart, the ways of believing, the betrayal of the land, the ways of dying, the passing of the ways, the ways of the white man, the ways of civilization, and heed these words. Of course, I am biased so I found this book to be very consistent with my own life (or an attempt to bring back what I know). I did find some quotes from my grandfather that I found interesting:

In the government you call civilized, the happiness of the people is constantly sacrificed to the splendor of the empire. Hence the origin of your codes of criminal and civil laws; hence, your dungeons and your prisons. We have no prisons; we have no pompous parade of courts; we have no written laws; and yet judges are highly revered among us as they are among you, and their decisions are as much regarded.
We have among us no exalted villains above the control of our laws. Daring wickedness is here never allowed to triumph over helpless innocence. The estates of widows and orphans are never devoured by enterprising swindlers.

We have no robbery under the pretext of law. – Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), Mohawk

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of this I found myself agreeing with - the way of life, the connection with nature - You know what. Let's start over. That's a lame way of saying that.

As I read this book there was this tugging within me of recognition, like I understood what they were talking about, like I was a part of it. I know I don't have much Algonquin in me and very little claim to this land that I live on, but I can still feel that tug of my blood saying, "Yes. This. These words."

Everywhere, all over the world, all throughout time, people have uprooted each other and murdered each other, and wiped out each other's cultures. It's a part of humanity I do not like and hope to not be a part of.

Reading this book makes me want to become actively involved in trying to help perserve cultures and stories and ways of thinking while they still exist, before they are taken from us for good.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has given me the best understanding of Native Americans' beliefs and values. It speaks volumes with straight, simple, yet eloquent words that were spoken from the heart. And with heart is how they were heard by me. Their wisdom and intellect contained here is amazing and to the very last sentence. This book has touched me deeply and its one that could help us all, especially in today's world. Highly, highly recommend it.

[Jemima Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Taken from writings, orations, and recorded observations of life, this book selects the best of Native American wisdom and distills it to its essence in short, digestible quotes — perhaps even more timely now than when they were first written. In addition to the short passages, this edition includes the complete Soul of an Indian, as well as other writings by Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), one of the great interpreters of American Indian thought, and three great speeches by Chiefs Joseph, Seattle, and Red Jacket.' (Book Cover)

As a non American, I very much wished to get a good basic understanding of the original Northern American psyche, culture and world viewpoint. I was aware that many of the sources I have encountered in my life depicting the 'American Indian' were most likely dictated by the larger population and most politically powerful culture of white America, whose motivations for reporting on Native Americans and what I have heard called 'The Indian Problem' were more that a little questionable in authenticity and likely personally or politically biased. I know enough of the plight of the indigenous peoples of my own country to be suspicious of hearing any person's voice describing or explaining from an outside cultural viewpoint, even with the best of intentions, as likely to have incorrect interpretations. This is a brief and curated compilation of the words of many Native American people, from many diverse nations. The collection has been sensitively presented to find and explain shared viewpoints on themes of the land, communication, beliefs, education, personal values, respect, love, communication, purpose, betrayal, loss, grief, honour, integrity and common humanity. It also contains some of the most powerful, beautiful and most poetic language it has ever been my privilege to read. Accessible and enjoyable to read, this is not a history book, but a collection of voices speaking passionately and eloquently about the people, their lands, culture and their purpose and exactly how and why contact with white man has destroyed all of these within a very short period of time.

These are all life lessons passed down by very wise men, men who learned to think before they spoke, to listen courteously, waiting patiently for their turn to make their point, with direct simplicity that shatters comfortable beliefs others may hold about the truth of the matters addressed, in these preserved letters and speeches. I particularly enjoyed the explanations of the relationship of a mother and her child and how that child grows and becomes known as a valued individual in their community, written about in the essay 'Soul of an Indian' by Ohiyesa, as well as his writings on 'The Moral Strength of Women'. I also really appreciated hearing the first person perspectives in the written down speeches of Chiefs Joseph (Nez Perce), Chief Seattle (Suquamish and Duwamish), and Chief Red Jacket (Seneca). Here are some of my favourite thoughts from the entire compilation. Let the voices speak for themselves as they are far more eloquent than I could ever be:

"But for me, I cannot forget our old ways. Often in summer I rise at daybreak and steal out to the corn fields, and as I hoe the corn I sing to it, as we did when I was young. No one cares for our corn songs now. Sometimes in the evening I sit, looking out on the big Missouri. The sun sets, and dusk steals over the water. In the shadows I seem again to see our Indian village, with smoke curling upward from the earth lodges, and in the river's roar I hear the yells of the warriors, and the laughter of little children as of old. It is but an old woman's dream. Then I see but shadows and hear only the roar of the river, and tears come into my eyes. Our Indian life, I know, is gone forever."
— Waheenee Hidatsa (North Dakota)

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thought nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away."
— Anonymous Shoshone

"They are a heartless nation, that is certain. They have made some of their people servants — yes, slaves! We have never believed in keeping slaves, but it seems that the white people do! It is our belief that they painted their servants black a long time ago, to tell them from the rest — and now the slaves have children born to them of the same color! The greatest object of their lives seems to be to acquire possessions — to be rich. They desire to possess the whole world. For thirty years they tried to entice us to sell our land to them. Finally, their soldiers took it by force, and we have been driven away from our beautiful country."
-Ohiyesa's uncle, Santee Sioux

"Many of the white man's ways are past our understanding. . . . They put a great store upon writing; there is always paper. The white people must think that paper has some mysterious power to help them in the world. The Indian needs no writings; words that are true sink deep into his heart, where they remain. He never forgets them. On the other hand, if the white man loses his papers, he is helpless. I once heard one of their preachers say that no white man was admitted to heaven unless there were writings about him in a great book!"
— Four Guns, Oglala Sioux

"The white man who is our agent is so stingy that he carries a linen rag in his pocket into which to blow his nose, for fear he might blow away something of value."
— Piapot, Cree Chief

"I have carried a heavy load on my back ever since I was a boy. I realized then that we could not hold our own with the white men. We were like deer. They were like grizzly bears. We had a small country. Their country was large. We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not, and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them."
— Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

"When the buffalo went away the hearts of my people fell to the ground, and they could not lift them up again. After this nothing happened. There was little singing anywhere."
— Chief Plenty Coups, Crow

"Here, for the first time, I touched the goose quill to the treaty — not knowing, however, that by that act I consented to give away my village! Had that been explained to me, I should have opposed it, and never would have signed their treaty, as my recent conduct has clearly proven. What do we know of the manner of the laws and customs of the white people? They might buy our bodies for dissection, and we would touch the goose quill to confirm it, without knowing what we were doing. This was the case with myself and my people in touching the goose quill the first time."
-Black Hawk, Sauk

"There are but two ways for us. One leads to hunger and death, the other leads to where the poor white man lives. Beyond is the happy hunting ground where the white man cannot go." — Many Horses Oglala Sioux 12

"As children of nature, we have always looked upon the concentration of population as the prolific mother of all evils, moral no less than physical. It was not, then, wholly from ignorance or improvidence that we failed to establish permanent towns and to develop a material civilization. We have always believed that food is good, while surfeit kills; that love is good, but lust destroys; and not less dreaded than the pestilence following upon crowded and unsanitary dwellings is the loss of spiritual power inseparable from too close contact with one's fellow men. All who have lived much out of doors, whether Indian or otherwise, know that there is a magnetic and powerful force that accumulates in solitude but is quickly dissipated by life in a crowd."
-Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) 'The Soul of an Indian'

"Suppose a white man should come to me and say, “Joseph, I like your horses. I want to buy them.” I say to him, “No, my horses suit me; I will not sell them.” Then he goes to my neighbor and says to him, “Joseph has some good horses. I want to buy them, but he refuses to sell.” My neighbor answers, “Pay me the money and I will sell you Joseph's horses.” The white man returns to me and says, “Joseph, I have bought your horses and you must let me have them.” If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought them.
— Chief Joseph, Nez Perce

"I once showed a party of Sioux chiefs the sights of Washington, and endeavored to impress them with the wonderful achievements of civilization. After visiting the Capitol and other famous buildings, we passed through the Corcoran Art Gallery, where I tried to explain how the white man valued this or that painting as a work of genius and a masterpiece of art. “Ah!” exclaimed an old man, “such is the strange philosophy of the white man! He hews down the forest that has stood for centuries in its pride and grandeur, tears up the bosom of Mother Earth, and causes the silvery watercourses to waste and vanish away. He ruthlessly disfigures God's own pictures and monuments, and then daubs a flat surface with many colors, and praises his work as a masterpiece!”
-Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) 'The Soul of an Indian'

"I was born upon the prairie where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun. I was born where there were no enclosures and where everything drew a free breath. I want to die there, and not within walls."
— Ten Bears Yamparika Comanche

[Michael Motta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a must-read in terms of pure literary merit but it is a must-read in terms of being able to view and critique Western "technoculture", imperialism and capitalism from an external perspective without taking a thousand pages to do it.
Contains some short and sweet nature passages with Haiku-like aspects at times.

[Graham Cammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American Indian way of life is wonderful and warming, an awesome and inspiring book. Makes you seriously regret the white man's encroachment on the Indian lands and the decay of the Indian people's religions, traditions, customs, cultures and various ways of life. I highly recommend this book to British people to remove their ignorance and arrogance.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Native American Wisdom was a book of quotes by various individuals. Some were good and some were very good.

[Chandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of surface-level “inspiring” quotes, another chopped and screwed appropriation of cultural identities en masse, made palatable and digestible by a yt man with no discernible understanding of native people outside of stereotypical idealization referenced by another yt man’s history books.
The literal first sentence is about Columbus.
I would have suggested skipping the contrived intro, but after thumbing through the rest, I’m disappointed that I wasted five minutes of my life on this. Don’t bother.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

just re-read this for a class that i'm teaching and the center piece of the collection - chief joseph's surrender speech of 1879 - is essential reading. one of the best narratives of broken promises and treaties, chief joseph begins just before the nez perce were run off their land by the united states army. the tale of their departure and flight with the army on their path is part history lesson, full heart break. at 57 pages (small pages at that), it's a microcosm of the native plight.

[mugiwara2004 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that you need to keep coming back to in order to get the value. Amazing messages given by an amazing people. They give words to live by.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Wisdom of the Native Americans Kent Nerburn tells the story of Native Americans through their speeches and teachings. We often speak of great orators of the past Plato, Socrates, Thomas Jefferson, the list goes on.
The Natives had just as great speakers as well though simply stated their words bore a truth and understanding of those who lived close to nature and the world around them.Often much was said by their silence as by words, teaching by actions as well as their words and stories.
Cochise,Red Cloud, Chief Joseph, and Black Elk. The list goes on and the wisdom they shared carries through to this very day.

This was a well written and thoughtful work. Broken down into three stages Ways of Native Americans,the Soul of an Indian and Wisdom of the Great Chiefs, it tells the story of a people perhaps beaten but not broken, of a proud people who's wisdom is as important and Vibrant today as it was a hundred years ago. A story that needs told and retold that perhaps we can learn today what was known then. This is a welcome addition to my shelve that will receive many a revisiting as the knowledge shared can not be taken in at one sitting.

[D.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading the actual words of these great Native American leaders and thinkers. The beauty of their expression coupled with the simplicity of the truths they express left me speechless. If only we had minds like this helping guide our country today - how very different things would be. Now we live in a plastic, make-believe world invented by public relations firms, who cheapen everything they get their hands on (or almost everything). Kids are raised by the pop culture, not by real, deep thinking and logical men and women. Until we read their words, we forget the heights to which humanity can rise and aspire, and did once achieve. This book is so worth reading and really a teaser that makes you want to find more.

[Alleydancer07 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down. Various quotes, speeches, and the writings of Ohiyesa are all included in this book, and it makes a great pick-me-up when I feel like my life is lacking conventional wisdom - I can choose a quote or a speech and feel revivified after a couple of minutes. This is one to keep on the nightstand, or on the coffee table.

[Baroness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was longing for solitude and stillness. My spirit guide heard my call and brought this book to me.
I listened and soaked in the wisdom of the elders.
I am of the Earth. I am one with the Universe.

[Kyle Plunkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very great book on Native Americans. It's a masterpiece.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy on the heart

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The philosophy and ideas of Native Americans brought to life and in their own words. A great insight into Native American culture using the writings and speeches of some prominent leaders.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read works like "Black Elk Speaks" and other Native American histories (told by the people who lived through them), you get much the same philosophy, though in a more implicit way. This book basically laid out the deeply premodern Native American way of life, especially emphasizing the many ways that it differed with modernism, western thinking/science, and modern Christianity. Since it is a collection of quotes, sometimes quite out of context (other times painstakingly deep in context), it was up to the author to select quotes that he wanted non-Natives to see. As such, this book contains a particularly rosy view of Native American life, philosophy, and religion, whereas "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" felt very balanced, and it didn't sugar-coat anything. Sometimes it was the US government at fault, sometimes it was Native Americans (usually the former). This book is still valuable as a quick reference for authoritative NA quotes on various topics, but I suspect that the Native Americans had their own problems before the white man came.

Regardless of that suspicion, I found this collection to be very edifying and worth my time, and it does serve as a good introduction to the Native American way of life. Mainly, it helps point out how similarly most premodern peoples lived before the advent of modernity and its radical technological and social change. The Native Americans in this collection consistently find Christ not only relatable but a figure whose teachings they claim they already follow. I should clarify that when I say "they", i.e. those quoted in this work, it should be noted that of course not all Native American tribes and peoples thought the same thing, and actually had quite a bit of variety; instead, we are here talking of the median beliefs, not an exhaustive or absolute discussion of them.

Anyway, back to Christ. The Native Americans quoted in this collection were very justifiably disappointed at the behavior of a "christian civilization" after hearing the high words of Christian missionaries. I very strongly agree with the assessment of one of the men quoted, who basically pointed out that "Christian Civilization" isn't very Christian, but is more modern and materialistic than anything. Instead of "Civilization" bringing tolerance and understanding, it brought materialism and superficiality, because they saw it as based upon trade and competition instead of unity and harmony. There was one point halfway through the book which was poignant in its conflation of Christianity with domination, because that's what supposed Christians have done all-too-often. This disunity and lack of harmony with nature and others seems to come from two places: separation of man from nature, and the exclusivity inherent in Abrahamic religion. The "invention" of a category ("Nature") separate from "Man" is an ancient one, and it seemed to find its most absolutist form in Judaism (Nietzsche notes the same thing). This division in some ways allows people to "Other" nature and mistreat it (despite the calls to steward the earth); similarly, claims that "Our one god is the real god" also opens up the possibility of seeking exclusive truth (which is very important for science), but it also can breed a superiority complex if you aren't properly humbled. The thing is, there are failsaves in place to prevent these excesses, just as there were failsaves in place in more heterogeneous societies/religions like the Native Americans had. But in each case, distance from those fail-saves produces aberration. For example, in Christianity, distance from the truth of the Resurrection and of the profundity of Christ's sacrifice creates apathy, and apathy allows this queer notion of a separation of your "Religious" life from your "Daily" life, which is a very false dichotomy. Similarly, in the Native religions, once the transmission of stories, of language, and of tradition was shattered, (mostly due to warfare and injustices), then Native Americans were loosed from their previously strong morals; add alcohol and guns to the mix, and it becomes extremely hard to exist as a Native American.

Another major difference between the two religions, and hence the two worldviews, is their views on oral vs. written transmission. The Native Americans were taught from childhood to memorize, and were very good at that, and they laughed at the white men who would panic when they lost their papers. There is certainly wisdom in this, but one need not go quite as far as Plato in hating writing. This bled into their religions, where the Christians claimed an unerring Bible, despite their many differences in interpretation. This latter point invalidated the religion to many Native Americans, who didn't understand why God wouldn't be clear enough to dispel the need for denominations; I however think we would have had denominations no matter how clear the bible would be (even Islam has different sects).

The Native American religion(s) overall tended to be less wordy, less explicit, but they still had a lot of emotion and depth to them. They lacked the temples, altars, priests, and other things common to most other religions, instead using silence as their loudest form of worship. Their worship was a sense of awe and respect for nature and the Great Spirit who created and lived in nature (being somewhat pantheistic). The Native perspective was that the world was a place of beauty to be appreciated, rather than the Christian perspective of the world being a place of evil and suffering, merely to be endured until the next life. Native Americans didn't worry too much about the afterlife, they just generally believed you'd be rewarded or reunited with ancestors, and left it at that.

This silence that the Native Americans practiced also dominated their social life, as they emphasized thinking before speaking, not while speaking, as we often do. This seems very wise to me, because if you think while speaking you're much more likely to use post hoc reasoning to justify yourself, rather than weighing your options and then explaining. For some perverse reason, in our media-saturated world that never slows down, we mistrust those who are silent (we call them "brooding"), and instead we feel some "need" to speak and "fill the silence". I think it's a symptom of our superficiality and auditory gluttony. The Native Americans in this collection couldn't stand cities and their hustle and bustle and constant loud noises, and I very much relate to that disdain.

A couple times in the collection, the speakers mentioned that it doesn't require many words to speak the truth, and this resonated with me. It is echoed in the line from Ecclesiastes 5:2 "God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." We often vomit words when we're nervous, but the disciplined speaker should do the opposite, despite the jeers that that would invite today.

I am also alarmed by the trend of telling all kids that they are all writers, when very few have the gift of eloquent language. I am not among them. I aspire to take the same approach that Chief Wabasha did: "Silence is the cornerstone of character. Guard your tongue in youth, and in age you may mature a thought that will be of service to your people." I've said this before, that we need to stop assuming that the moment we put a pen to paper or paint to a canvas that it will be worth sharing and fawning over. They're called baby steps for a reason. I hope that one day I might come up with something (a book, an idea) that will actually help others, not just something that will make me famous. I'm in no rush to come to that, I expect it late in life, if at all. There is a disgusting cult of youthful celebrity which has so distorted my generation into suicide. It is really unhealthy to be divorced from the classics, because almost all of those were written by very old people after a lifetime of practice and contemplation.

It was from the grandparents that Native American children got their education, and who better to teach the children than those with the most life experience? Surely they would know more about what is really worthwhile than some yuppie. But to our society's discredit, we have locked away the elderly to rot in solitude and depression. It's really shameful what we have done. On the other side of the spectrum, I found it interesting that the Native Americans quoted in this collection were deeply "pro-life", claiming that from the moment of conception until about 2, the mother's duty was to spiritually teach the child, that from the beginning there was a deep connection between the two. To ask if the happiness of the woman outweighed that connection would be a question too disgusting to ask a premodern such as the Native American. I think that they are completely right to reject quantification as anything other than limitation and imprisonment. Sure, it gives a superficial level of certainty, but it if you can quantify it, it doesn't deserve to be your "god". Qualitative prioritization frees, makes living. Love is not love if it can be measured. Those who try to measure love (or homeland) by dollars are gravely mistaken. As Chief Joseph said, "This country holds your father's body. Never sell the bones of your father and mother."

I think the main difference between the premodern and the modern mindset is the prioritization of either the quantitative or the qualitative. To me, it feels self evident that the quantitative cannot, by definition, be better than the qualitative. Unfortunately, the tides are shifting toward the quantitative, partially because we are mere stomachs and not people, and partially because the last great premodern society was crushed by modernity, who fought an unfair fight (disease, warfare, and broken treaties). This entire collection, and in fact everything I've read of great Native Americans feels like a dire warning. I'll leave you with the words of Chief Seattle, who began the collection: "Why should I mourn the untimely fate of my people? Your time of decay may be distant, but it will surely come. For even the white man, whose god walked and talked with him, as friend with friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see."

[Meagan Hitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye opening and much needed slap of reality that anyone not Native to the US needs.

As a growing activist, this was a beautiful, helpful, insightful, yet bittersweet telling of what America has become through tue lessons and trials of the elders before all of us. It reminds us that we must really care and consider what has been here before us, to prepare for what could still be here tomorrow. This will forever be indigenous land, and it is up to us all to remember it so we can begin to set things right. The goal forward is peace, as the elders of the past would want us to all do.

This book is a good start to looking deeper into the teachings, and overall culture of Native America and its past, which is what happened to me.

If there is ever a time you feel that something could be missing in your life, whatever it is, pick up something like this book. It will give you a bigger scope on life and it will warm your heart.

[Alexa Alexiades · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an honor it has been to read these sacred words of the great Native Americans. This book is a gem. Several parts left me with a heavy heart, especially the speeches of Chief Joseph and Chief Seattle. This book was an emotional ride -- a beautiful celebration of the indigenous spirit, as well as a grievance for the cruelty that took place on this land.

"The spirit of the Native people, the first people, has never died. It lives in the rocks and the forests, the rivers and the mountains. It murmurs in the brooks and whispers in the trees. The hearts of these people were formed of the earth that we now walk, and their voice can never be silenced."
-- Kent Nerburn

"Dead, did I say? There is no death. Only a change of worlds."
-- Chief Seattle

🌾🪨🏔🏞🤎🏜
Thank you

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of speeches from Native American chiefs. It must have taken the author countless hours to compile these speeches in a way that also told a story. From the beginning to the end the speeches were very insightful to the ways of the Natives. I particularly enjoyed their views on Europeans and their religion. I think books like this should be read by all who live in land that once belonged to the Natives.

[Nik Perring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this in my 20s and liked it. Ignoring the clear problem that many of these quotes are either attributed or most likely not entirely accurate, I still think it’s great. Lots of wisdom and heartbreak over an enormous genocide. It moved me deeply.

[Elizabeth Garberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking! Keeping it by my bedside for a daily boost of wisdom!

[Spectre I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated accounts from Native Americans. Drives home the injustice of what happened when the colonies first visited America and began to expand. Seems to be a reoccurring pattern in the States that we truly only look out for our own interests and view those who are different from us as lesser. I’m not sure what can be done about that…

[Milan De Roode · Rating 4 out of 5]

lacks a bit of depth imo but it’s a nice read and easy to grasp