When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

Cree Prophecy

Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other,
thus should we do,
for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the World.

Black Elk

I do not think the measure of a civilization
is how tall its buildings of concrete are,
But rather how well its people have learned to relate
to their environment and fellow man.

Sun Bear of the Chippewa Tribe

Thanksgiving

We return thanks to our mother, the earth,
which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams,
which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs,
which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars,
which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun,
that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,
in Whom is embodied all goodness,
and Who directs all things for the good of Her children.

Iroquois

There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled,
which leads to an unkown, secret place.
The old people came literally to love the soil,
and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of
being close to a mothering power.
Their teepees were built upon the earth
and their altars were made of earth.
The soul was soothing, strengthening, cleansing and healing.
That is why the old Indian still sits upon the earth instead of
propping himself up and away from its life giving forces.
For him, to sit or lie upon the ground is to be able to think more deeply
and to feel more keenly. He can see more clearly into the mysteries of
life and come closer in kinship to other lives about him.

Chief Luther Standing Bear

Wisdom , beyond western understanding....

When you were born, you cried
and the world rejoiced.
Live your life
so that when you die,
the world cries and you rejoice.

White Elk

the power of Smudging has help my household , greatly

im Cherokee - well 1/4 anyway

I have used these in some handfastings/weddings I have performed... words that overflow with sincerity of blessings

Definately to be shared as often as possible... thank you for doing just that.

Hugs & Blessings to you

thank you for allowing me to share native indian wisdom.

When all the trees have been cut down,
when all the animals have been hunted,
when all the waters are polluted,
when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

Cree Prophecy


definitely goes into my book of truths- thank you john -

that is interesting indeed. I said if I have to come to the states then I will make it worthwhile and visit the many indian reservations this country has. Little did I know there are over 200 of them! I am deeply interested in the culture and their philosophy in spirituality. If you have anything to share as a 1/4 cherokee then please do Sam. thankyou

I spent a few years participating in a pipe circle a local clan held... we shared songs, stories, medicine and more

People.. no matter what their belief system.. will find much truth and beauty in the native words and ways .. so please.. keep sharing!

then I shall continue this thread with much enthusiasm. I do hope others share their experiences here on the thread concerning native indian spirituality. A story or a poem or even a experience to share is always welcomed.

Encyclopedia of North American Indians

google it and:

native american Cherokee history and culture

[c]~ Native American Code of Ethics ~

1 - Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strengthto be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit others (everyone).


2 - Respect. Respect means "To feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well being of, or to treat someone or somethin with deference or courtesy". Showing respect is a basic law of life.

a. Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.

b. Special respect should be given to Elders, Parents, Teachers, and Community Leaders.

c. No person should be made to feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.

d. Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially Sacred Objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.

e. Respect the privacy of every person, never intrude on a person's quiet moment or personal space.

f. Never walk between people that are conversing.

g. Never interrupt people who are conversing.

h. Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of Elders, strangers or others to whom special respect is due.

i. Do not speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where Elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).

j. Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.

k. Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute our Mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.

l. Show deep respect for the beliefs and religion of others.

m. Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.

n. Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council meeting it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in council and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. The clash of ideas brings forth the Spark of Truth.


3 - Once a council has decided something in unity, respect demands that no one speak secretly against what has been decided. If the council has made an error, that error will become apparent to everyone in its own time.


4 - Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.


5 - Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give of your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.


6 - The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all.


7 - Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.


8 - All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.


9 - To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, and the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important talks. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.


10 - Observe moderation and balance in all things.


11 - Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.


12 - Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends.





Authorship: Original version printed in 1982 in the book,"The Sacred Tree" by the Four Worlds Development Project . Adapted and reprinted in the "Inter-Tribal Times" October 1994. The adapted version is presented here.

Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude, and in the words and deeds of wise Elders and friends.



imagine if all would do this

that should be posted in the religious forum and the spiritual forum if they start it. dont you agree john?? should be the rules or guidelines huh?

I agree absolutely. Very nice rules and I love it.