Chiefs
&
Other Important Native Americans
Words From The Wise Ones
Black Elk ~ Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus should we do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World.
Chief Joseph ~ There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. Give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. They are all Brothers. The Earth is the Mother of all People and all People should have equal rights upon it.
Hyemeyohsts Storm ~ A man can live out his entire life without ever finding more than what was already within him as his Beginning Gift, but if he wishes to Grow he must become a Seeker and Seek for himself the other Ways.
Lorraine Canoe ~ Everything that gives birth is Female. When Men begin to understand the relationships of the Universe that Women have always known, the World will begin to change for the better.
Crazy Horse ~ "One does not sell the land people walk on."
Tecumseh ~ Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the clouds and the great sea, as well as the earth? Did not the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children?
It is only fair to judge a man by the estimate of his own people rather than that of his enemies.
Sitting Bull "GOD made me an INDIAN."
"As a friend...sincere and true, as a patriot devoted and incorruptible. As a husband and father, affectionate and considerate. As a host, courteous and hospitable to the last degree."
Red Cloud,
an Oglala chief,
Red Cloud, a chief of the Oglala Lakota and leader of the 1866 attack on Fort Phil Kearny that ended in the Fetterman Massacre. Red Cloud's successful campaign against United States troops in Montana led to the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868.
He was a respected warrior and statesman. From 1866-1868, he successfully led the flight to close off the Bozeman Trail, which passed through prime buffalo hunting grounds. Once settled at Pine Ridge, Red Cloud worked to establish a Jesuit-run school for Indian children. He is buried on a hill overlooking the Red Cloud Indian School, which was named in his honor.
http://www3.pbs.org/weta/thewest/wpages/wpgs400/w4redcld.htm
Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse was born on Rapid Creek in 1840. He was killed when he was only 37 years of age, September 6, 1877. He was stabbed in the back by an American soldier at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, while he was under U.S. Army protection. During his life he was a great leader of his people.
Chief Tecumseh
1768 - 1813 Chief of the Shawnee and orator. Formed a league of Northwest Indian tribes with the intention of stemming the flow of settlers. He was killed at the Battle of the Thames in 1813 by soldiers commanded by William Henry Harrison.
"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." __ Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation
Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph, known by his people as In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (Thunder coming up over the land from the water), was best known for his resistance to the U.S. Government's attempts to force his tribe onto reservations.
Words of Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
Perhaps you think the Creator sent you here to dispose of us as you see fit. If I thought you were sent by the Creator, I might be induced to think you had a right to dispose of me. Do not misunderstand me, but understand fully with reference to my affection for the land. I never said the land was mine to do with as I choose. The one who has a right to dispose if it is the on who has created it. I claim a right to live on my land and accord you the privilege to return to yours. Brother, we have listened to your talk coming from the father in Washington, and my people have called upon me to reply to you. And in the winds which pass through these aged pines we hear the moaning of their departed ghosts. And if the voices of our people could have been heard, that act would never have been done. Bus alas, though they stood around, they could neither be seen or heard. Their tears fell like drops of rain. I hear my voice in the depths of the forest, but not answering voice comes back to me. All is silent around me. My words must therfore be few. I can say no more. He is silent, for he has nothing to answer when the sun goes down.
