We have lived upon this land from days beyond history's records, far past any living memory, deep into the time of legend. The story of my people and the story of this place are one single story. We are always joined together.

Pueblo elder

Oh hear me, Grandfather, and help us, that our generation in the future will live and walk the good road with the flowering stick to success. Also, the pipe of peace, we will offer it as we walk the good road to success. Hear me, and hear our plea.

Black Elk, Sioux

Will you ever begin to understand the meaning of the very soil beneath your feet? From a grain of sand to agreat mountain, all is sacred. yesterday and tomorrow exist eternally upon this continent. We natives are guardians of this sacred place.

Peter Blue Cloud, Mohawk

And so do not forget. Every Dawn as it comes is a holy event and everyday is holy, for the light comes from "WAKAN-TANKA" And Also you Must remember that the Two-leggeds and All other peoples who Stand upon this Earth are Sacred and Should be Treated as Such

"White Buffalo Woman" Sioux Sacred Woman, quoted by Black Elk , (Oglala Sioux)1947

Whatever the gains, whatever
the loss, they are yours.

Five Wounds

We the great mass of the people think
only of the love we have for our land,
for we do love the land where
we were brought up.

Chief John Ross

You have said to me...that I could send
out a voice four times...and you could hear me.
Today I send a voice for a people
in despair.

Black Elk

Heed little the melancholy nights
that keep tune with sorrowful thoughts.

Chief-Runs-The-Battle

The reason Wakan Tanka does
not make two birds...or two human
beings exactly alike is because each
is placed here...to be an independent
individual to rely on himself.

Okute

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."

Black Elk - Oglala Sioux

Indians...know better how to live...Nobody
can be in good health if he does not have
all the time fresh air, sunshine,
and good water.

Chief Flying Hawk


While feeling compassion for you in
the sweetness of our repose, we wonder
at the anxieties and cares which
you give yourself.

Gaspesian Chief

The path to glory is rough and
many gloomy hours obscure it.

Black Hawk