Perhaps now is the time to open our ears and our hearts to the words of wisdom they have to say. - First People.com
The words of wisdom from Native American fathers has been with us for centuries. It is time that we listen to them.
Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.
You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.
Black Elk - Oglala Sioux
Throughout the history of the First Peoples of the United States there have been Native American spiritual leaders and holy men who have give the people spiritual help with their words and ceremonies. Their messages are usually quite simple and the basis of their teachings is to live in Harmony and Balance with Mother Earth and all Creation and to respect all Creation.
The beauty of the trees, the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass speaks to me.
The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky,
The rhythm of the sea, speaks to me.
The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning,
the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me.
The strength of the fire, the taste of salmon, the trail of the sun,
and the life that never goes away, they speak to me
And my heart soars.
Chief Dan George - Salish
In the first encounters with Europeans some tribes accepted them as friends and even tried to help their "white brothers".
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things which our people had never seen. They talked straight and our people gave them a great feast as proof that their hearts were friendly. They made presents to our chiefs and our people made presents to them. We had a great many horses of which we gave them what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return. All the Nez Perce made friends with Lewis and Clark and agreed to let them pass through their country and never to make war on white men. This promise the Nez Perce have never broken.
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Even with the ever encroaching white men and their families and the threats of war, the Native American fathers had hope for their children's future.
I will follow the white man's trail. I will make him my friend, but I will not bend my back to his burdens. I will be cunning as a coyote. I will ask him to help me understand his ways, then I will prepare the way for my children. Maybe they will outrun the white man in his own shoes.
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
This land was big enough for all back in the days of fighting between the white man and the Native Americans. There was no reason to push the first peoples from their homes and cage them into reservations. Our new government could have learned much at that time from the Native Americans instead of trying to round them up and clear them out. Hopefully, now, we can stand by our Native American brothers and sisters and together help Mother Earth and our lands to survive, for our children.
"The Six Grandfathers have placed in this world many things, all of which should be happy. Every little thing is sent for something, and in that thing there should be happiness and the power to make happy. Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus we should do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World."
Black Elk - Oglala Sioux
Honor your father this Father's Day. Honor your Fathers every day.
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