Echoing by the ages to this current second, the voices of Native American folks and Native American quotes resonate with timeless information and perception. From the revered elders of the previous to the rising era of at present, these quotes function a bridge throughout generations, inviting everybody to attach with a shared human expertise rooted in respect, resilience, and unity. As an educator with Native American heritage, I share these Native American quotes to honor and convey ahead the knowledge and energy of our ancestors for all to study from and be impressed by. These Native American quotes remind us of our duty to honor this legacy as we face at present’s challenges and transfer ahead collectively towards a extra simply, equitable, and compassionate world.
Native American Quotes Honoring Mom Earth
Humanity is forgetting that every thing has a proper to exist on this Mom Earth! —Steven Blue Horse, Sicangu Lakota, private communication with the writer
We should defend the forests for our kids, grandchildren and kids but to be born. We should defend the forests for individuals who can’t communicate for themselves such because the birds, animals, fish and bushes. —Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
The elders had been sensible. They know that man’s coronary heart, away from nature, turns into laborious; they knew that lack of respect for rising, residing issues quickly led to a scarcity of respect for people too. —Chief Luther Standing Bear, Lakota Sioux
The bottom on which we stand is sacred floor. It’s the blood of our ancestors. —Chief Plenty Coups, Crow Nation
Our connection to the pure world is a mirrored image of our inside selves. Allow us to domesticate love and respect for each. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
The Nice Spirit is in all issues. He’s within the air we breathe. The Nice Spirit is our Father, however the Earth is our Mom. She nourishes us. … That which we put into the bottom she returns to us. —Big Thunder Wabanaki, Algonquin
I don’t know how one can save the world. I don’t have the solutions or The Reply. I maintain no secret information as to how one can repair the errors of generations previous and current. I solely know that with out compassion and respect for all of Earth’s inhabitants, none of us will survive—nor will we need to. —Leonard Peltier, Lakota / Dakota / Anishinaabe
We should transcend the vanity of human rights. We should transcend the ignorance of civil rights. We should step into the truth of pure rights as a result of all the pure world has a proper to existence and we’re solely a small a part of it. There could be no trade-off. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
Everyone is so distracted by issues for the self. They don’t care about their family anymore. The SUV exhibits how we really feel in regards to the atmosphere. To show this round, we have to return to the earth and dwell with the earth spiritually. —Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Sisseton Dakota
The American Indian is of the soil, whether or not it’s the area of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He matches into the panorama, for the hand that common the continent additionally common the person for his environment. He as soon as grew as naturally because the wild sunflowers; he belongs simply because the buffalo belonged. —Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux Chief
We had been created to care for, steward the land. That’s mankind’s objective on earth, to steward and care for the land because it feeds off of it. —Wes Studi, Cherokee Nation
I used to be warmed by the solar, rocked by the winds and sheltered by the bushes as different Indian babes. I can go in all places with a superb feeling. —Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache
Humankind has not woven the online of life. We’re however one thread inside it. No matter we do to the online, we do to ourselves. All issues are certain collectively. All issues join. —Chief Seattle, Duwamish
In the event you discuss to the animals, they may discuss with you and you’ll know one another. If you don’t discuss to them, you’ll not know them, and what you have no idea, you’ll concern. What one fears, one destroys. —Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
The land is sacred. These phrases are on the core of our being. The land is our mom, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die. That’s, the Indian in us dies. —Mary Brave Bird, Lakota
Our land is every thing to us. … I’ll inform you one of many issues we keep in mind on our land. We do not forget that our grandfathers paid for it—with their lives. —John Wooden Leg, Cheyenne
The previous Indian educating was that it’s flawed to tear free from its place on the earth something that could be rising there. It might be reduce off, but it surely shouldn’t be uprooted. The bushes and the grass have spirits. No matter certainly one of such progress could also be destroyed by some good Indian, his act is finished in unhappiness and with a prayer for forgiveness due to his requirements. —Wooden Leg, (late 19th century) Cheyenne
Native Individuals have been stewards of the land and water since time immemorial. We look after these precious assets to maintain life now and sooner or later. —Darnella Melancon, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe (AZ/CA), private communication with the writer
The Holy Land is in all places. —Black Elk, Oglala Sioux
Mom Earth, upon your physique I stroll in magnificence, and in all places I’m going, happiness will likely be with me. —Michael Bercier, Anishinaabe, private communication with the writer
My grandpa at all times jogged my memory to “take a look at the mountains to know ‘right here you might be, so that you’ll by no means be misplaced.’” His manner of claiming that individuals and indicators might change over time, however usually the mountains keep put! I observe this at present. His identify was Manuel Enis. My identify is Dwayne Pierce and I’m Tohono O’odham/Cayuse. —Private communication with the writer
Introspective Native American Quotes
Once you simply be your self, you place one thing lovely on the planet that wasn’t there earlier than. —“Edwin Elliot” Mario Sanchez, Tejon Tribe, Yowlumne Yokuts, private communication with the writer
Warrior up! —LyDall Yazzie, WarDance Dwell, Diné
All thunder of the mouth, no lighting within the hand. —Craig Hackett, Lakota & Coahuiltecan, private communication with the writer
You have to communicate straight in order that your phrases might go as daylight into our hearts. —Cochise, Apache
When you’re unsure, be nonetheless, and wait; when doubt not exists for you, then go ahead with braveness. As long as mists envelop you, be nonetheless; be nonetheless till the daylight pours by and dispels the mists because it certainly will. Then act with braveness. —Chief White Eagle, Ponca
We should do not forget that our actions at present will form the world that our kids inherit tomorrow. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
True energy lies within the capability to embrace vulnerability and study from our errors. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
No voice is just too small to make a distinction. Converse up, communicate out, and be heard. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
Kids had been inspired to develop strict self-discipline and a excessive regard for sharing. When a woman picked her first berries and dug her first roots, they got away to an elder so she would share her future success. When a toddler carried water for the house, an elder would give compliments, pretending to style meat in water carried by a boy or berries in that of a woman. The kid was inspired to not be lazy and to develop straight like a sapling. —Mourning Dove (Christine Quintasket, 1888-1936), Salish
That is for each little rez child, each little city child, each little Native child on the market who has a dream. —Lily Gladstone, Piegan Blackfeet, Nez Perce
Life is harmful. Dwelling is difficult. It doesn’t get simpler. Actually, it will get more durable. However it will get extra value it. That’s a troublesome lesson to study, however hopefully, additionally, you will study to understand the great if you discover it. —Jordan Kai Kor Eleccion, Wapetonwon Tarahumara, private communication with the writer
The teachings we study every day are a present to us people and provides us the information of what could be loved or the information of what we must always by no means train to anybody we meet in life. —Martan Martinez, Wappo / Pomo, private communication with the writer
The wonder in life is, every day is a brand new day to attempt once more and be a greater model of myself than yesterday. —Aurora Mamea, Blackfeet, private communication with the writer
By no means be ashamed for being you (Native American) since you had been the prayer and hope your ancestors had. —Trevor S. Foster, religious chief, Diné / Blackfeet / Cree
Maintain on to what’s good. Even when it’s a handful of earth. Maintain on to what you consider. Even when it’s a tree that stands by itself. Maintain on to what you need to do. Even when it’s a great distance from right here. Maintain on to your life. Even when it’s simpler to let go. Maintain on to my hand. Even when sometime I’ll be gone away from you. —Crowfoot, Blackfeet warrior and orator, 1830-1890
We’re not Indians and we’re not Native Individuals. We’re older than each ideas. We’re the folks, we’re the human beings. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
You need to look deeper, manner under the anger, the damage, the hate, the jealousy, the self-pity, manner down deeper the place the goals lie, son. Discover your dream. It’s the pursuit of the dream that heals you. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
The final word is to not win, however to succeed in throughout the depths of your capabilities and to compete in opposition to your self to the best extent potential. Once you try this, you’ve dignity. You have got the pleasure. You may stroll about with character and pleasure irrespective of in what place you occur to complete. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
Folks make a giant mistake once they say, “I have to be motivated.” You encourage your self. I’d encourage any individual, however that individual needs to be motivated inside themselves first. Look inside your self, consider in your self, put within the laborious work, and your goals will unfold. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
God has given me the power. The remainder is as much as me. Consider. Consider. Consider. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
It doesn’t require many phrases to talk the reality. —Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
Native American Quotes Concerning the Motion
We’re not victims. We come from a residing tradition that’s thriving as we heal, rebuild connections, and assist each other to stand up! —Dan Nanamkin, Colville / Nez Perce, private communication with the writer
If we don’t train our native language and customs to our kids, there’s an expiration date on our very existence. —Charles Larrabee, Cheyenne River Sioux, private communication with the writer
Getting previous doesn’t make you sensible. Generally you’re simply previous LOL. —James BearChild, Blackfeet & Navajo, private communication with the writer
Honoring our heritage is important not just for celebrating the wealthy historical past and our tradition and communities but in addition for the well-being of future generations. By understanding and respecting the traditions, we pave the way in which for therapeutic, resilience, and a greater future for all of our folks. —James BearChild, Blackfeet & Navajo, private communication with the writer
We are available in all colours and shades, so don’t make assumptions. Ask me about my story. —Dr. Kenneth Wallace Jr., African American, Choctaw, Pawnee, private communication with the writer
Practising our tradition, being with household and neighborhood, is what retains us linked—to our ancestors, to the earth, to all creatures, and to our Creator. That is the inspiration of who we’re. —Orena Flores, Quechan / Mohave / Maricopa, private communication with the writer
That is our land. It isn’t a chunk of pemmican to be reduce off and given in little items again to us. It’s ours and we’ll take what we would like. —Chief Poundmaker, Cree
Just one factor’s sadder than remembering you had been as soon as free, and that’s forgetting you had been as soon as free. —Leonard Peltier, Dakota / Lakota / Anishinaabe
All I attempt to do is painting Indians as we’re, in artistic methods. With creativeness and poetry. I believe a whole lot of Native American literature is caught in a single concept: form of religious, environmentalist Indians. And I need to painting on a regular basis lives. I believe by doing that, by portraying the bizarre lives of Indians, maybe folks study one thing new. —Sherman Alexie, Spokane & Coeur d’Alene
Humor is broadly utilized by Indians to take care of life. Indian gatherings are marked by laughter and jokes, many directed on the horrors of historical past, on the persevering with affect of colonization. … Definitely the timeframe we presently inhabit has a lot that’s shabby and tough to supply; and far that must be handled with laughter and ironic humor. —Dennis Banks, Anishinaabe
Our tradition is our energy and reclaiming it’s a highly effective act of resistance. —Dennis Banks, Anishinaabe
Once we communicate with love, reality, and respect, we are able to make a distinction on the planet. —Dennis Banks, Anishinaabe
It takes a robust effort on the a part of every American Indian to not turn into Europeanized. The energy for this effort can solely come from the normal methods, the normal values that our elders retain. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
Being is a religious proposition. Gaining is a cloth act. Historically, American Indians have at all times tried to be one of the best folks they may. A part of that religious course of was and is to offer away wealth, to discard wealth so as to not acquire. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
Younger folks and Indian folks must know that we existed within the twentieth century. We have to know who our heroes are and to know what we now have completed and completed on this century apart from what Olympic athletes Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills have completed. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
I acquired into performing by my political involvement, by a way of justice. I wished to see issues change, to offset among the lies which were advised about us all through historical past. —Tantoo Cardinal, Cree & Métis
“Dances With Wolves” actually began the motion, utilizing subtitles for Lakota Sioux and displaying Indians as fascinating, advanced folks—not simply the enemy—and giving a whole lot of unknown Indian actors work. —Wes Studi, Cherokee Nation
Each human being is a raindrop. And when sufficient of the raindrops turn into clear and coherent, they then turn into the ability of the storm. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
We the folks must work collectively as an alternative of performing just like the colonizers that took our lands and tried to strip us of our religious beliefs. The colonizers did their greatest to create genocide. As a substitute of serving to each other, folks have allowed greed to take over and all they see is $$$ for themselves as an alternative of seeing how we may also help one another as our folks as soon as did. Nobody went hungry, not one tribal member went with out. We have to work collectively once more and cease all this hatred. Nobody is best than anybody else. We’re all Creators’ youngsters. —Carmen Saldivar aka Eagle Coronary heart Lady, Mescalero Apache, private communication with the writer
Respect your elders, care for them and listen once they communicate. They’ve lived a life you’ll by no means expertise, however the knowledge they’ve applies to your life now. —Carol Pipiu Sullivan, Alaska Native, Yup’ik & Inupiaq Inuit, private communication with the writer
We’re nonetheless right here as a result of our ancestors secured a manner for our future. Who am I to not safe the way in which for our kids’s futures? —Amber Daybreak Cantu, Colville Confederated Tribes Sixth-generation direct descendant, private communication with the writer
I don’t suppose the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, however reasonably how effectively its folks have discovered to narrate to their atmosphere and fellow man. —Sun Bear, Chippewa
I ought to by no means have surrendered. I ought to have fought till I used to be the final man alive. —Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache
I’ve been in an important many councils, however I’m no wiser. We’re all sprung from a girl, though we’re not like in lots of issues. We can’t be revamped once more. You might be as you had been made, and as you had been made you possibly can stay. We’re simply as we had been made by the Nice Spirit, and you can’t change us; then why ought to youngsters of 1 mom and one father quarrel?—why ought to one attempt to cheat the opposite? I don’t consider that the Nice Spirit Chief gave one form of males the fitting to inform one other form of males what they need to do. —Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
Somebody wants to elucidate to me why wanting clear ingesting water makes you an activist, and why proposing to destroy water with chemical warfare doesn’t make a company a terrorist. —Winona LaDuke, Ojibwe
A single twig breaks, however the bundle of twigs is robust. —Tecumseh, Shawnee
Native American Historic Quotes
He had advised the folks once they had been being provided cash to relocate, “Maintain cash in a single hand and grime within the different. Which one will last more?” This was a reminder that our folks have survived on this land since time immemorial and that we are able to’t simply promote the land to the very best bidder. We’re linked to the land by our songs, language, and ceremonies. —Albert Cornelius Nelson remembering the phrases of his grandfather John Williams, Yavapai, as communicated to the writer
I’ve heard you plan to settle us on a reservation close to the mountains. I don’t need to settle. I like to roam over the prairies. There I be happy and completely satisfied, however after we calm down we develop pale and die. —Chief Satanta, Kiowa
This struggle didn’t spring up on our land; this struggle was introduced upon us by the youngsters of the Nice Father who got here to take our land with no value, and who, in our land, do an important many evil issues. … This struggle has come from theft—from the stealing of our land. —Brule Sioux Chief Spotted Tail
There’s a mistaken perception that the phrase Indian refers someway to the nation, India. When Columbus washed up on the seashore within the Caribbean, he was not searching for a rustic known as India. Europeans had been calling that nation Hindustan in 1492. … Columbus known as the tribal folks he met “Indio,” from the Italian in dio, which means “in God.” —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
How clean have to be the language of the whites, once they could make proper appear to be flawed and flawed like proper. —Black Hawk, Sauk
Captain Prepare dinner got here to rape and pillage our folks. We whooped him and his crew. Then we ate him. —Jason Tobosa, Hawaiian, private communication with the writer
I’m a purple man. If the Nice Spirit had desired me to be a white man, he would have made me so within the first place. He put in your coronary heart sure needs and plans; in my coronary heart, he put different and totally different needs. Every man is sweet in his sight. It’s not obligatory for Eagles to be Crows. We’re poor … however we’re free. No white man controls our footsteps. If we should die … we die defending our rights. —Sitting Bull, Hunkpapa Sioux
These had been the phrases given to my great-grandfather by the Grasp of Life: “At a while, there shall come amongst you a stranger, talking a language you don’t perceive. He’ll attempt to purchase the land from you, however don’t promote it; maintain it for an inheritance to your youngsters. —Aseenewub, Red Lake Ojibwa
I’m poor and bare however I’m the chief of the nation. We don’t need riches however we do need to practice our kids proper. Riches would do us no good. We couldn’t take them with us to the opposite world. We don’t need riches. We wish peace and love. —Chief Red Cloud (Makhipiya-Luta), Sioux Chief
As soon as I used to be in Victoria, and I noticed a really giant home. They advised me it was a financial institution and that the white males place their cash there to be taken care of, and that by and by they acquired it again with curiosity. We’re Indians, and we now have no such financial institution; however when we now have loads of cash or blankets, we give them away to different chiefs and other people, and by and by they return them with curiosity, and our hearts really feel good. Our manner of giving is our financial institution. —Chief Maquinna, Nootka
When a white military battles Indians and wins, it’s known as an important victory, but when they lose, it’s known as a bloodbath. —Chiksika, Shawnee
Earlier than America can heal, it wants to simply accept its previous. Close to historical past, the TRUTH will change every thing. —Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Sisseton Dakota
Will we let ourselves be destroyed in our flip with no battle, hand over our houses, our nation bequeathed to us by the Nice Spirit, the graves of our lifeless, and every thing that’s expensive and sacred to us? I do know you’ll cry with me, ‘By no means! By no means!’ —Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee
The varsity system wants to begin educating the historical past of our folks from our story and cease educating his-story. —Gabriel Ayala, Yoeme multidimensional artist, private communication with the writer
As Hopi folks, we migrated from the Mexico Metropolis space over 1,000 years in the past. We had been all totally different clans searching for a peaceable lifestyle. You will discover a few of our ruins close to Winslow and Flagstaff, Arizona. —Moontee Sinquah, Hopi – Texas / Choctaw, private communication with the writer
If the white man desires to dwell in peace with the Indian, he can dwell in peace. … Deal with all males alike. Give all of them the identical legislation. Give all of them an excellent likelihood to dwell and develop. All males had been made by the identical Nice Spirit Chief. They’re all brothers. The Earth is the mom of all folks, and all folks ought to have equal rights upon it. —Heinmot Tooyalakekt (Chief Joseph), Nez Perce leader
Let me be a free man, free to journey, free to cease, free to work, free to commerce the place I select my very own academics, free to observe the faith of my fathers, free to suppose and discuss and act for myself, and I’ll obey each legislation or undergo the penalty. —Heinmot Tooyalakekt (Chief Joseph), Nez Perce leader
As Native folks, our households have been plagued with intergenerational trauma stemming from colonization, boarding colleges, and MMIP. Our folks have suffered and our ancestors sacrificed for the hope of getting completely satisfied and protected households. Once we neglect their sacrifices, we neglect that we even have generational knowledge to heal ourselves, our households, and our communities. Keep in mind the place you come from and take motion to honor those who got here earlier than you. —Cheryl Bearchild, Choctaw Nation, private communication with the writer
I used to be born on the prairies the place the wind blew free and there was nothing to interrupt the sunshine of the solar. I used to be born the place there have been no enclosures. —Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache
Native American Quotes About Spirit and Fact
In Lakota tradition, there isn’t a such factor because the satan or hell after we make our journey to the spirit world. Some say we now have that choice to come back again. —Wayne Waters, Oglala Lakota, private communication with the writer
The Nice Spirit is in all issues. He’s within the air we breathe. The Nice Spirit is our Father, however the Earth is our Mom. She nourishes us. … That which we put into the bottom she returns to us. —Big Thunder Wabanaki, Algonquin
And whereas I stood there, I noticed greater than I can inform, and I understood greater than I noticed; for I used to be seeing in a sacred method the shapes of issues within the spirit, and the form of all shapes as they need to dwell collectively like one being. —Black Elk, Oglala Lakota Sioux
Your life is a present from the Creator. Your reward again to the Creator is what you do along with your life. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
When a person does a chunk of labor which is admired by all, we are saying that it’s fantastic; however after we see the adjustments of day and evening, the solar, the moon, and the celebrities within the sky, and the altering seasons upon the earth, with their ripening fruits, anybody should understand that it’s the work of somebody extra highly effective than man. —Chased-by-Bears, Santee-Yanktonai Sioux
Every Indian, man or lady, youngster or Elder, is a spirit-warrior. —Leonard Peltier, Dakota / Lakota / Anishinaabe
Nice Spirit, Nice Spirit, my Grandfather, all around the earth the faces of residing issues are all alike. … Look upon these faces of kids with out quantity and with youngsters of their arms, that they might face the winds and stroll the great street to the day of quiet. —Black Elk, Oglala Sioux Holy Man
There isn’t a loss of life. Solely a change of worlds. —Chief Seattle, Suquamish Chief
It’s like there’s this predator power on this planet, and this predator power feeds on the essence of the spirit. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
Defend your spirit, since you are within the place the place spirits get eaten. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
What’s life? It’s the flash of a firefly within the evening. It’s a breath of a buffalo within the wintertime. It’s the little shadow which runs throughout the grass and loses itself within the sundown. —Crowfoot, Blackfeet warrior and orator
A very long time in the past, this land belonged to our fathers, however after I go as much as the river, I see camps of troopers on its banks. These troopers reduce down my timber, they kill my buffalo, and after I see that, my coronary heart looks like bursting. —Satanta, Kiowa Chief
Once we dance, each step is a prayer, prayer in movement and motion. We dance for individuals who danced earlier than us, those that can not dance, and people who are coming into this world. Once we sing, our breath and life are a prayer, singing with those that carried the songs into this era, the track is a lifeline connecting us all to the place we come from and the place we’re going. Sacredness isn’t a faith, it’s a lifestyle. For this reason we sing and pray collectively. We’re alive and we’re thriving. —Paul Flores IV, Apache
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