| Seven Philosophies for
the Native American Man
The following was from the Gathering of
Native American Men in June 1996
at Colorado
The wisdom of Native Elders
is contained in the Seven Philosophies
and is offered to Native American
men so that they may be better
fathers, sons, husbands, uncles,
relatives, friends, Tribal members
and citizens of the countries in which
they live. The Seven Philosophies
point the way towards a return to the
values of Native American culture
for the healing of individuals,
families and Native Communities.
First Philosophy
TO THE WOMEN
The cycle of life for the woman is
the baby, girl, woman, and
grandmother. These are the four
directions of life. She has been
given by natural laws, the ability
to reproduce life. The most sacred
of all things is life. Therefore,
all men should treat her with dignity
and respect. Never was it our way
to harm her mentally or physically.
Indian men were never abusers.
We always treated our women with respect
and understanding. So from now on:
I will treat women in a sacred manner.
The Creator gave women the
responsibility for bringing new life
into the world. Life is sacred, so
I will look upon the women in a sacred manner.
In our traditional ways, the woman is
the foundation of the family. I
will work with her to create a home
atmosphere of respect, security and
harmony.
I will refrain from any form of emotional
or physical abuse. If I
have these feelings, I will talk to the
Creator for guidance.
I will treat all women as if they
were my own female relatives.
This is my vow.
Second Philosophy
TO THE CHILDREN
As an eagle prepares its young to
leave the nest will all the skills and
knowledge it needs to participate in
life, in the same manner so will I
guide my children. I will use the
culture to prepare them for life.
The most important thing I can give
to my children is my time. I will
spend time with them in order to
learn from them and to listen to them.
I will teach my children to pray,
as well as the importance of respect.
We are the caretakers of the
children for the Creator. They are His
children, not ours.
I am proud of our own Native
language. I will learn it if I can and
help my children to learn it.
In today's world it is easy for the
children to go astray, so I will
work to provide positive alternatives
for them. I will teach them the
culture. I will encourage education.
I will encourage sports. I
will encourage them to talk to the
Elders for guidance; but mostly, I
will seek to be a role model myself.
I make this commitment to my
children so they will have courage and
find guidance through traditional ways.
Third Philosophy
TO THE FAMILY
The creator gave to us the family,
which is the place where all teachings
are handed down from the grandparent,
to the parent, and to the child.
The children's behavior is a mirror
of the parents behavior. Knowing
this, I realize the importance for
each Indian man to build a strong and
balanced family. By doing this,
I will break the cycle of hurt and
ensure the positive and mental
health of the children, even the children
yet to be born. So from now on:
I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family
I must never give up and leave
my family only to the mother.
I am accountable to restore the
strength of my family. To do this, I
will nurture our family's spiritual,
cultural, and social health. I
will demonstrate trust, respect,
honor and discipline; but mostly I will
be consistent in whatever I do with them.
I will see that the grandparents
and community Elders play a
significant role in the education of my children.
I realize that the male and female
together are fundamental to our
family life. I will listen to my
mates council for our family's
benefit, as well as for the benefit
of my Indian Nation.
Fourth Philosophy
TO THE COMMUNITY
The Indian community provides
many things for the family. The most
important is the sense of belonging;
that is, to belong to "the people",
and to have a place to go.
Our Indian communities need to be restored
to health so the future generation
will be guaranteed a place to go for
culture, language and Indian
socializing. In the community, the honor
of one is the honor of all and the
pain of one is the pain of all. I
will work to strengthen recovery
in all parts of my community. As an
Indian man:
I will give back to my community
by donating my time and talents when I
am able.
I will cultivate friendships with other
Indian men for mutual support
and strength.
I will consider the effects of our
decisions on behalf of the next
seven generations; in this way,
our children and grandchildren will
inherit healthy communities.
I will care about those in my
community so that the mind changers,
alcohol and drugs, will vanish,
and our communities will forever be free
of violence.
If each of us can do all these
things, then others will follow; ours
will be a proud community.
Fifth Philosophy
TO THE EARTH
Our Mother Earth is the source of
all life, whether it be the plants, the
two-legged, four-legged, winged
ones or human beings. The Mother Earth
is the greatest teacher, if we listen,
observe and respect her. When we
live in harmony with the Mother Earth,
she will recycle the things we
consume and make them available
to our children and to their children.
As an Indian man, I must teach
my children how to care for the Earth so
it is there for the future generations.
So from now on:
I realize the Earth is our mother.
I will treat her with honor and
respect.
I will honor the interconnectedness
of all things and all forms of life.
I will realize the Earth does not
belong to us, but we belong to the
Earth.
The natural law is the ultimate
authority upon the lands and water. I
will learn the knowledge and
wisdom of the natural laws. I will pass
this knowledge in to my children.
The mother Earth is a living
entity that maintains life. I will speak
out in a good way whenever
I see someone abusing the Earth. Just as I
would protect my own mother,
so will I protect the Earth. I will ensure
that the land, water, and air will
be intact for my children and mu
children's children - unborn.
Sixth Philosophy
TO THE CREATOR
As an Indian man, I realize we
make no gains without the Great Spirit
being in our lives. Neither I nor
anything I attempt to do, will work
without the Creator. Being Indian
and being spiritual has the same
meaning. Spirituality is out gift
from the Great One. This day, I vow
to walk the Red Road.
As an Indian man, I will return to
the traditional and spiritual values
which have guided my
ancestors for the past generations.
I will look with new eyes on the
powers of our ceremonies and religious
ways, for they are important
to the very survival of our people.
We have survived and are going
to grow and flourish spiritually. We
will fulfill our teachings and the
purpose that the Creator has given us
with dignity.
Each day, I will pray and ask
for guidance. I will commit to walk the
Red Road, or whatever the
spiritual way is called in my own culture.
If I am Christian, I will be a good one.
If I am traditional, I will
walk this road with dedication.
If each if us can do these things
then others will follow. From this
day forward, I will reserve time
and energy for spirituality, seeking to
know the Creators will.
Seventh Philosophy
TO MYSELF
I will think about what kind of
person I want to be when I am an Elder.
I will start developing myself now to be this person.
I will walk with the Great Spirit
and the grandfathers at my side. I
will develop myself to remain
positive. I will develop a good mind.
I will examine myself daily to
see what I did good and what I need to
improve. I will examine my
strength and weaknesses, then I will ask the
Creator to guide me. I will develop a good mind.
Each day, I will listen to the
Creators voice in the wind. I will
watch nature and ask to be
shown a lesson which will occur on my path.
I will seek out the guiding principles,
which guided my ancestors. I
will walk in dignity, honor and
humility, conducting myself as a warrior.
I will seek the guidance of the
Elders so that I may maintain the
knowledge of culture, ceremonies,
and songs, and so that I may pass
these on to the future generations.
I choose to do all these things myself,
because no one else can do them
for me.
I know I cannot give away
what I don't have, so I
will need to walk the talk.
~Yigaquu Osaniyu Adanvto Adadoligi Nigohilivi Nasquv Utloyasdi Nihi~
~May The Great Spirit's Blessings Always Be With You | |
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