Echoing by way of the ages to this current second, the voices of Native American individuals and Native American quotes resonate with timeless data and perception. From the revered elders of the previous to the rising era of right this moment, 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 produce ahead the knowledge and power of our ancestors for all to be taught from and be impressed by. These Native American quotes remind us of our accountability to honor this legacy as we face right this moment’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 little thing has a proper to exist on this Mom Earth! —Steven Blue Horse, Sicangu Lakota, private communication with the creator
We should shield the forests for our kids, grandchildren and kids but to be born. We should shield the forests for many who can’t communicate for themselves such because the birds, animals, fish and timber. —Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
The elders have been smart. They know that man’s coronary heart, away from nature, turns into laborious; they knew that lack of respect for rising, dwelling issues quickly led to an absence 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 A lot 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. —Large Thunder Wabanaki, Algonquin
I don’t know the best way to save the world. I don’t have the solutions or The Reply. I maintain no secret data as to the best way to 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 should. —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 fact 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 may be no trade-off. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
Everyone is so distracted by issues for the self. They don’t care about their family members 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 Purple Crow Westerman, Sisseton Dakota
The American Indian is of the soil, whether or not or not it’s the area of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He suits into the panorama, for the hand that customary the continent additionally customary 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 have been created to care for, steward the land. That’s mankind’s function 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 timber as different Indian babes. I can go in all places with a superb feeling. —Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache
Humankind has not woven the net of life. We’re however one thread inside it. No matter we do to the net, we do to ourselves. All issues are certain collectively. All issues join. —Chief Seattle, Duwamish
For those who discuss to the animals, they’ll 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 Courageous Fowl, Lakota
Our land is every little thing to us. … I’ll let you know 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 Wood Leg, Cheyenne
The previous Indian instructing was that it’s incorrect to tear unfastened from its place on the earth something that could be rising there. It might be minimize off, but it surely shouldn’t be uprooted. The timber and the grass have spirits. No matter one among such development could also be destroyed by some good Indian, his act is finished in disappointment and with a prayer for forgiveness due to his requirements. —Wood Leg, (late nineteenth century) Cheyenne
Native People have been stewards of the land and water since time immemorial. We look after these worthwhile sources to maintain life now and sooner or later. —Darnella Melancon, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe (AZ/CA), private communication with the creator
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 am going, happiness might be with me. —Michael Bercier, Anishinaabe, private communication with the creator
My grandpa all the time 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 folks and indicators could change over time, however usually the mountains keep put! I observe this right this moment. His identify was Manuel Enis. My identify is Dwayne Pierce and I’m Tohono O’odham/Cayuse. —Private communication with the creator
Introspective Native American Quotes
While you simply be your self, you set one thing lovely on the earth that wasn’t there earlier than. —“Edwin Elliot” Mario Sanchez, Tejon Tribe, Yowlumne Yokuts, private communication with the creator
Warrior up! —LyDall Yazzie, WarDance Stay, Diné
All thunder of the mouth, no lighting within the hand. —Craig Hackett, Lakota & Coahuiltecan, private communication with the creator
You should communicate straight in order that your phrases could go as daylight into our hearts. —Cochise, Apache
When you’re unsure, be nonetheless, and wait; when doubt now not exists for you, then go ahead with braveness. As long as mists envelop you, be nonetheless; be nonetheless till the daylight pours by way of and dispels the mists because it absolutely will. Then act with braveness. —Chief White Eagle, Ponca
We should do not forget that our actions right this moment will form the world that our kids inherit tomorrow. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
True power lies within the means to embrace vulnerability and be taught from our errors. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
No voice is just too small to make a distinction. Communicate up, communicate out, and be heard. —Sacheen Littlefeather, Apache
Kids have been inspired to develop strict self-discipline and a excessive regard for sharing. When a lady 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 lady. 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. Residing is tough. It doesn’t get simpler. Actually, it will get more durable. But it surely will get extra value it. That’s a troublesome lesson to be taught, however hopefully, additionally, you will be taught to understand the nice whenever you discover it. —Jordan Kai Kor Eleccion, Wapetonwon Tarahumara, private communication with the creator
The teachings we be taught day by day are a present to us people and provides us the data of what may be loved or the data of what we must always by no means educate to anybody we meet in life. —Martan Martinez, Wappo / Pomo, private communication with the creator
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 creator
By no means be ashamed for being you (Native American) since you have 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 it’s essential 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 People. We’re older than each ideas. We’re the individuals, we’re the human beings. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
You must look deeper, manner under the anger, the harm, the hate, the jealousy, the self-pity, manner down deeper the place the desires 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 achieve throughout the depths of your capabilities and to compete in opposition to your self to the best extent potential. While you do this, you’ve dignity. You might have the delight. You’ll be able to stroll about with character and delight 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 would encourage anyone, however that individual must be motivated inside themselves first. Look inside your self, consider in your self, put within the laborious work, and your desires will unfold. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
God has given me the power. The remainder is as much as me. Imagine. Imagine. Imagine. —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 dwelling 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 creator
If we don’t educate 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 creator
Getting previous doesn’t make you smart. Typically you’re simply previous LOL. —James BearChild, Blackfeet & Navajo, private communication with the creator
Honoring our heritage is crucial not just for celebrating the wealthy historical past and our tradition and communities but additionally 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 individuals. —James BearChild, Blackfeet & Navajo, private communication with the creator
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 creator
Practising our tradition, being with household and neighborhood, is what retains us related—to our ancestors, to the earth, to all creatures, and to our Creator. That is the muse of who we’re. —Orena Flores, Quechan / Mohave / Maricopa, private communication with the creator
That is our land. It isn’t a bit of pemmican to be minimize off and given in little items again to us. It’s ours and we are going to take what we would like. —Chief Poundmaker, Cree
Just one factor’s sadder than remembering you have been as soon as free, and that’s forgetting you have 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 feel numerous 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 feel by doing that, by portraying the odd lives of Indians, maybe individuals be taught one thing new. —Sherman Alexie, Spokane & Coeur d’Alene
Humor is extensively utilized by Indians to cope with life. Indian gatherings are marked by laughter and jokes, many directed on the horrors of historical past, on the persevering with influence of colonization. … Actually the time-frame 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 power 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 earth. —Dennis Banks, Anishinaabe
It takes a robust effort on the a part of every American Indian to not change into Europeanized. The power for this effort can solely come from the standard methods, the standard values that our elders retain. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
Being is a religious proposition. Gaining is a fabric act. Historically, American Indians have all the time tried to be the perfect individuals they may. A part of that religious course of was and is to present away wealth, to discard wealth so as to not acquire. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
Younger individuals and Indian individuals must know that we existed within the twentieth century. We have to know who our heroes are and to know what we’ve got achieved and completed on this century aside from what Olympic athletes Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills have achieved. —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
I received into appearing by way of my political involvement, by way of a way of justice. I needed to see issues change, to offset a few of the lies which have been instructed 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, complicated individuals—not simply the enemy—and giving numerous unknown Indian actors work. —Wes Studi, Cherokee Nation
Each human being is a raindrop. And when sufficient of the raindrops change into clear and coherent, they then change into the ability of the storm. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
We the individuals must work collectively as an alternative of appearing just like the colonizers that took our lands and tried to strip us of our religious beliefs. The colonizers did their finest to create genocide. As a substitute of serving to each other, individuals have allowed greed to take over and all they see is $$$ for themselves as an alternative of seeing how we can assist one another as our individuals 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 healthier than anybody else. We’re all Creators’ kids. —Carmen Saldivar aka Eagle Coronary heart Lady, Mescalero Apache, private communication with the creator
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 creator
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 creator
I don’t suppose the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, however reasonably how effectively its individuals have discovered to narrate to their atmosphere and fellow man. —Solar 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 awesome many councils, however I’m no wiser. We’re all sprung from a girl, though we’re in contrast to in lots of issues. We cannot be remodeled once more. You might be as you have been made, and as you have been made you’ll be able to stay. We’re simply as we have been made by the Nice Spirit, and you cannot change us; then why ought to kids 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 sort of males the appropriate to inform one other sort of males what they have 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 an organization a terrorist. —Winona LaDuke, Ojibwe
A single twig breaks, however the bundle of twigs is powerful. —Tecumseh, Shawnee
Native American Historic Quotes
He had instructed the individuals once they have been being provided cash to relocate, “Maintain cash in a single hand and filth within the different. Which one will last more?” This was a reminder that our individuals 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 related to the land by way of our songs, language, and ceremonies. —Albert Cornelius Nelson remembering the phrases of his grandfather John Williams, Yavapai, as communicated to the creator
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 comfortable, however once 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 kids of the Nice Father who got here to take our land and not using a value, and who, in our land, do an awesome many evil issues. … This struggle has come from theft—from the stealing of our land. —Brule Sioux Chief Noticed 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 on the lookout for a rustic known as India. Europeans have been calling that nation Hindustan in 1492. … Columbus known as the tribal individuals he met “Indio,” from the Italian in dio, which means “in God.” —Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
How easy have to be the language of the whites, once they could make proper appear to be incorrect and incorrect like proper. —Black Hawk, Sauk
Captain Prepare dinner got here to rape and pillage our individuals. We whooped him and his crew. Then we ate him. —Jason Tobosa, Hawaiian, private communication with the creator
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 completely different needs. Every man is nice in his sight. It isn’t essential 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 have 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; hold it for an inheritance to your kids. —Aseenewub, Purple Lake Ojibwa
I’m poor and bare however I’m the chief of the nation. We are not looking for riches however we do need to prepare our kids proper. Riches would do us no good. We couldn’t take them with us to the opposite world. We are not looking for riches. We would like peace and love. —Chief Purple Cloud (Makhipiya-Luta), Sioux Chief
As soon as I used to be in Victoria, and I noticed a really massive home. They instructed 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 received it again with curiosity. We’re Indians, and we’ve got no such financial institution; however when we’ve got loads of cash or blankets, we give them away to different chiefs and folks, 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 awesome victory, but when they lose, it’s known as a bloodbath. —Chiksika, Shawnee
Earlier than America can heal, it wants to just accept its previous. Almost about historical past, the TRUTH will change every little thing. —Floyd Purple Crow Westerman, Sisseton Dakota
Will we let ourselves be destroyed in our flip and not using a battle, surrender our properties, our nation bequeathed to us by the Nice Spirit, the graves of our lifeless, and every little 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 start out instructing the historical past of our individuals from our story and cease instructing his-story. —Gabriel Ayala, Yoeme multidimensional artist, private communication with the creator
As Hopi individuals, we migrated from the Mexico Metropolis space over 1,000 years in the past. We have been all completely different clans on the lookout for a peaceable lifestyle. You’ll find a few of our ruins close to Winslow and Flagstaff, Arizona. —Moontee Sinquah, Hopi – Texas / Choctaw, private communication with the creator
If the white man needs 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 probability to dwell and develop. All males have been made by the identical Nice Spirit Chief. They’re all brothers. The Earth is the mom of all individuals, and all individuals ought to have equal rights upon it. —Heinmot Tooyalakekt (Chief Joseph), Nez Perce chief
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 lecturers, 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 chief
As Native individuals, our households have been plagued with intergenerational trauma stemming from colonization, boarding faculties, and MMIP. Our individuals have suffered and our ancestors sacrificed for the hope of getting comfortable and secure households. Once we neglect their sacrifices, we neglect that we even have generational knowledge to heal ourselves, our households, and our communities. Bear 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 creator
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 Reality
In Lakota tradition, there isn’t any such factor because the satan or hell once we make our journey to the spirit world. Some say we’ve got that possibility to return again. —Wayne Waters, Oglala Lakota, private communication with the creator
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. —Large 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 have 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 together with your life. —Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota
When a person does a bit of labor which is admired by all, we are saying that it’s great; however once we see the modifications of day and night time, the solar, the moon, and the celebs within the sky, and the altering seasons upon the earth, with their ripening fruits, anybody should notice that it’s the work of somebody extra highly effective than man. —Chased-by-Bears, Santee-Yanktonai Sioux
Each 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 dwelling issues are all alike. … Look upon these faces of youngsters with out quantity and with kids of their arms, that they might face the winds and stroll the nice highway to the day of quiet. —Black Elk, Oglala Sioux Holy Man
There isn’t any demise. Solely a change of worlds. —Chief Seattle, Suquamish Chief
It’s like there may be this predator power on this planet, and this predator power feeds on the essence of the spirit. —John Trudell, Santee Dakota
Shield 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 night time. 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 minimize down my timber, they kill my buffalo, and after I see that, my coronary heart seems like bursting. —Satanta, Kiowa Chief
Once we dance, each step is a prayer, prayer in movement and motion. We dance for many who danced earlier than us, those that can now not dance, and those that 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 will not be a faith, it’s a lifestyle. This is the reason we sing and pray collectively. We’re alive and we’re thriving. —Paul Flores IV, Apache
