Walk The Good Road
Youth, Age, and the Change of Worlds
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 know every stream and every wood between the Rio Grande and the Arkansas. I have hunted and lived over that country. I lived like my fathers before me, and like them, I lived happily.
Ten Bears (Parra-wa-samen) (late 19th century) Yamparethka Comanche Chief
It is strictly believed and understood by the Sioux that a child is the greatest gift from Wakan Tanka, in response to many devout prayers, sacrifices, and promises. Therefore the child is considered "sent by Wakan Tanka," through some element - namely the element of human nature.
Robert Higheagle (late 19th century) Teton Sioux
Often in the stillness of the night, when all nature seems to sleep about me, there comes a gentle rapping at the door of my heart. I open it; and a voice inquires, "Pokagon, what of your people? What will their future be?" My answer is: "Mortal man has not the power to draw aside the veil of unborn time to tell the future of his race. That gift belongs to the Divine alone. But it is given to him to closely judge the future by the present, and the past."
Simon Pokagon (1830 - 1899) Potawatomie
When I was a young man I went to a medicine-man for advice concerning my future. The medicine-man said: "I have not much to tell you except to help you understand this earth on which you live. If a man is to succeed on the hunt or the warpath, he must not be governed by his inclination, but by an understanding of the ways of animals and of his natural surroundings, gained through close observation, the earth is large, and on it live many animals. The earth is under the protection of something which at times becomes visible to the eye."
Lone Man (Isna la-wica) (late 19th century) Teton Sioux
It was supposed that lost spirits were roving everywhere in the invisible air, waiting for children to find them if they searched long and patiently enough...[The Spirit] sang it's spiritual song for the child to memorize and use when calling upon the spirit guardian as an adult.
Mourning Dove (Christine Quintasket) (1888 - 1936) Salish
The idea of full dress in preparation for a battle comes not from the belief that it will add to the fighting ability. The preparation is for death in case that should be the result of the conflict. Every Indian wants to look his best when he goes to meet the Great Spirit, so the dressing up is done whether in imminent danger is an oncoming battle or a sickness or injury at times of peace.
Wooden Leg (late 19th century) Cheyenne
Do you know or can you believe that sometimes an idea obtrudes...whether it has been well that I have sought civilization with it's bothersome concomitants and whether it would be better even now...to return to the darkness and most sacred wilds (if any such can be found) of our country and there to vegetate and expire silently, happily and forgotten as do the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. The thought is a happy one but perhaps impracticable.
Ely S Parker (1826 - 1895) Seneca Iroquois sachem Brigadier General, U.S.Army
When I shot any kind of bird, when I killed, I saw that it's life went out with it's blood. This taught me for what purpose I am here. I came into this world to die. My blood is only to hold a spirit life. Should my blood be sprinkled, I want no wounds from behind. Death should come fronting me.
Toohoolhoolzote (mid 19th century) Nez Perce Chief
It is the general belief of the Indians that after a man dies his spirit is somewhere on the earth or in the sky, we do not know exactly where, but we are sure that his spirit still lives...So it is with Wakan Tanka. We believe that he is everywhere, yet he is to us as the spirit of our friends, whose voices we cannot hear.
Chased-by-Bears (1843 - 1915) Santee-Yanktonai Sioux
A warrior who had more than he needed would make a feast. He went around and invited the old and the needy...The man who could thank the food - some worthy old medicine-man or warrior - said "...look to the old, they are worthy of old age; they have seen their days and proven themselves. With the help of the Great Spirit, they have attained a ripe old age. At this age the old can predict or give knowledge or wisdom, whatever it is; it is so. At the end is a cane. You and your family shall get to where the cane is."
Black Elk (1863 - 1950) Oglala Sioux Holy Man
When I am too old and feeble to follow my sheep or cultivate my corn, I plan to sit in the house, carve Kachina dolls, and tell my nephews and nieces the story of my life...Then I want to be buried the Hopi way. Perhaps my boy will dress me in the costume of a Special Officer, place a few beads around my neck, put a paho and some sacred corn meal in my hand, and fasten inlaid turquoise to my ears. If he wishes to put me in a coffin, he may do even that, but he must leave the lid unlocked, place food nearby, and set up a grave ladder so that I can climb out. I shall hasten to my dear ones, but I will return with good rains and dance as a Kachina in the plaza with my ancestors...
Don Talayesva (late 19th century) Hopi Sun Clan Chief
There is no death. Only a change of worlds.
Seattle (Seatlh) (1786 - 1866) Suquamish Chief
Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather, all over the earth the faces of living things are all alike...Look upon these faces of children without number and with children in their arms, that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the day of quiet.
Black Elk (1863 - 1950) Oglala Sioux Holy Man