VALUES TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION

Have you ever thought much about just what values you want to pass on to the next generation?

What would you say to them---in what words? And how would the way you live teach the same thing?

These are things Native American tribes thought about a lot, especially as their way of life became threatened by the coming of Europeans who wanted to take over their land.

Here are a few of the things some Native American leaders have said about the values they want to pass on to the generations that come after them.

Look at me---I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation.

We do not want riches, but we do want to train our children right.

Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world.

We do not want riches.

We want peace and love. (Red Cloud, Sioux )

It is our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome.

Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance.

Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity.

They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving.

If a child is inclined to be grasping, or to cling to any of his or her little possessions,

legends are related about the contempt and disgrace falling upon the ungenerous and mean person....

The Indians in their simplicity literally give away all that they have---to relatives,

to guests of other tribes or clans, but above all, to the poor and the aged,

from whom they can hope for no return. (Ohiyesa, Santee Sioux )

In talking to children, the old Lakota would place a hand on the ground and explain:

"We sit in the lap of our Mother.

From her we, and all other living things, come.

We shall soon pass, but the place where we now rest will last forever."

So we, too, learned to sit or lie on the ground and become conscious of life about us

in its multitude of forms.

Sometimes as children we would sit motionless and watch the swallows, the tiny ants,

or perhaps some small animal at its work,

and ponder its industry and ingenuity;

or we lay on our backs and looked long at the sky,

and when the stars came out, made shapes from the various groups.

Everything is possessed of personality, only differing from us in form.

Knowledge is inherent in all things.

The world is a library, and its books are the stones, leaves, grass, brooks,

and the birds and animals that share, alike with us, the storms and blessings of earth.

We do not rail at storms, the furious winds, and the biting frosts and snows.

To do so intensifies human futility, so whatever comes, we adjust ourselves,

by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint.

Observation is certain to have its rewards.

Interest, wonder, and admiration grow, and the fact is appreciated that

life is more than mere human manifestation, but is expressed in a multitude of forms.

This appreciation enriches our existence.

Life is vivid and pulsing when lived this way.

Nothing is casual and commonplace.

We live, in every sense of the word, from our first to our last breath.

(Chief Luther Standing Bear, Teton Sioux )

A Native American Prayer

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 in the flower,

speaks to me.

The strength of the fire,

the taste of the samon,

the trail of the sun,

and the life that never goes away,

they speak to me.

And my heart soars.

(Chief Dan George)