Before our white brothers and sisters arrived to make us civilized,

we didn’t have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents.

Without a prison, there can be no delinquents.

We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves.

When someone was so poor that he couldn’t afford a horse, a tent or a blanket,

they would, in that case, receive it all as a gift.

We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property.

We didn’t know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being

was not determined by wealth.

We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians,

therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another.

We were really in bad shape before the white people arrived and I don’t know

how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things

that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society.

John (Fire) Lame Deer

Sioux Lakota – 1903-1976

 

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

 

We do not want schools….

they will teach us to have churches.

We do not want churches….

they will teach us to quarrel about God.

We do not want to learn that.

We may quarrel with (human beings) sometimes

about things on this earth,

but we never quarrel about God.

We do not want to learn that.

Heinmot Tooyalaket ( Chief Joseph), Nez Perce Leader

 

When one sits in the Hoop Of The People,

one must be responsible because

All of Creation is related.

And the hurt of one is the hurt of all.

And the honor of one is the honor of all.

And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.

 

passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman

 

The True Peace

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 Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit),

and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.

Black Elk, Oglala Sioux & Spiritual Leader (1863 – 1950)