Native American Wisdom

Transcript

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The Wisdom of the Native Americans

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What boy would not be an Indian for a while

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when he thinks of the freest life in the world?

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We were close students of nature, we studied the habits of animals

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just as you study your books

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We watched the men of our people and acted like them in our play

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then learned to emulate them in our lives

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No people had better use of their 5 senses than the children of the wilderness

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We could smell as well as hear and see

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we could feel and taste as well as we could see and hear

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Nowhere has the memory been more fully developed than in the wildlife

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As a little child, it was instilled to me to be silent, and reticent

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This was one of the most important traits to form in the character of the Indian

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As a hunter and warrior, it was considered absolutely necessary to them

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and was thought to lay the foundations of patience and self control

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There are times when boisterous mirth is indulged in by our people

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but the rule, is gravity and decorum

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I wish to be a brave man, as much as a white boy desires to be a great lawyer

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or even president of the United States

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I was made to respect the adults, especially the aged

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I was not allowed to join in their discussions

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or even to speak in their presence unless requested to do so

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We were taught generosity to the poor

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and reverence for the great mystery

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(1858-1939)

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Charles Alexander Eastman (Hakadah/Ohiyesa)