Luther Standing Bear was an Oglala Lakota Sioux Chief who, among a few rare others such as Charles Eastman, Black Elk and Gertrude Bonnin occupied the rift between the way of life of the Indigenous people of the Great Plains before, and during, the arrival and subsequent spread of the European pioneers. Raised in the traditions of his people until the age of eleven, he was then educated at the Carlisle Indian Industrial Boarding School of Pennsylvania, where he learned the english language and way of life. (Though a National Historical Landmark, Carlisle remains a place of controversy in Native circles.)



Like his above mentioned contemporaries, however, his native roots were deep, leaving him in the unique position of being a conduit between cultures. Though his movement through the white man’s world was not without "success" - he had numerous movie roles in Hollywood - his enduring legacy was the protection of the way of life of his people.

By the time of his death he had published 4 books and had become a leader at the forefront of the progressive movement aimed at preserving Native American heritage and sovereignty, coming to be known as a strong voice in the education of the white man as to the Native American way of life. Here, then, are 10 quotes from the great Sioux Indian Chief known as Standing Bear that will be sure to disturb much of what you think you know about "modern" culture.

1) "Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners and fine, high-sounding words were no part of Lakota politeness. Excessive manners were put down as insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless. Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner."

2) "Children were taught that true politeness was to be defined in actions rather than in words. They were never allowed to pass between the fire and the older person or a visitor, to speak while others were speaking, or to make fun of a crippled or disfigured person. If a child thoughtlessly tried to do so, a parent, in a quiet voice, immediately set him right."

3) "Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and his granting a space of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regardful of the rule that 'thought comes before speech.'…and in the midst of sorrow, sickness, death or misfortune of any kind, and in the presence of the notable and great, silence was the mark of respect… strict observance of this tenet of good behavior was the reason, no doubt, for his being given the false characterization by the white man of being a stoic. He has been judged to be dumb, stupid, indifferent, and unfeeling."

4) "We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, the winding streams with tangled growth, as 'wild'. Only to the white man was nature a 'wilderness' and only to him was it ‘infested’ with 'wild' animals and 'savage' people. To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery."

5) "With all creatures of the earth, sky and water was a real and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them. And so close did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue."



6) "This concept of life and its relations was humanizing and gave to the Lakota an abiding love. It filled his being with the joy and mystery of living; it gave him reverence for all life; it made a place for all things in the scheme of existence with equal importance to all."

7) "It was good for the skin to touch the earth, and the old people liked to remove their moccasins and walk with bare feet on the sacred earth… 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."

8)"Everything was possessed of personality, only differing from us in form. Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library and its books were the stones, leaves, grass, brooks, and the birds and animals that shared, alike with us, the storms and blessings of earth. We learned to do what only the student of nature learns, and that was to feel beauty. We never railed at the storms, the furious winds, and the biting frosts and snows. To do so intensified human futility, so whatever came we adjusted ourselves, by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint."

9) "…the old Lakota was wise. He knew that a man's heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans, too. So he kept his children close to nature's softening influence."

10) "Civilization has been thrust upon me… and it has not added one whit to my love for truth, honesty, and generosity."

I think everyone alive today can learn a lot from the Indigenous people of the Great Plains. What stands out for me from reading the quotes above is the level of courtesy and respect they all had for each other. Not to mention the level of respect and love they had for nature. It’s essential each of us does what we can to educate ourselves about the importance of being kind and courteous not only to each other but to our planet. Our children are the future and they will learn from not what we say but from what we do. That’s the ultimate message to take away from this article.

I agree 100%. I really enjoyed reading this Mo, great idea for a thread.

to bad the Americans at the time slaughtered them instead of trying to learn from them...

Good read.
I agree wholeheartedly with 1, 2, and 3.
Thanks moe

Moe, yes, yes and yes, I agree with the whole post Since my earliest childhood I was fascinated by Natives. And more I get to know their spirituality, culture, history, more I grow in respect and love toward them. Their social and political system is fascinating and their spirituality so enriching, so much reminds me of the way I was raised in - honour, acceptance, love, respect, truth, tolerance, help...

How is it possible that they didn�t have starving people, homeless etc and we, so "civilized" and so "advanced" have millions people who just don�t have a piece of bread to eat nor the shelter above head?

They shared and took care of those who were in need.

"It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way, it will in time disturb one's spiritual balance. Therefore, children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness of giving."

Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman) - Wahpeton Santee Sioux - 1858-1939

"As a child I understood how to give, I have forgotten this grace since I have become civilized."

- Luther Standing Bear - Oglala

"We must continue throughout our lives to do what we conceive to be good. If we have corn and meat, and know of a family that has none, we divide with them. If we have more blankets than are sufficient, and others have not enough, we must give to them that want."

- Black Hawk, Sauk (1767-1838)

I think I put it somewhere else some time ago, but I�ll put it again here:

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

(Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee)

"Sometimes we boys would sit motionless and watch the swallows, the tiny ants, or perhaps some small animal at its work and ponder its industry and ingenuity; or we lay on our backs and looked long at the sky, and when the stars came out made shapes from the various groups.
Everything was possessed of personality, only differing from us in form. Knowledge was inherent in all things. The world was a library and its books were the stones, leaves, grass, brooks, and the birds and animals that shared, alike with us, the storms and blessings of earth. We learned to do what only the student of nature learns, and that was to feel beauty. We never railed at the storms, the furious winds, and the biting frosts and snows. To do so intensified human futility, so whatever came we adjusted ourselves, by more effort and energy if necessary, but without complaint...

...Observation was certain to have its rewards. Interest, wonder, admiration grew, and the fact was appreciated that life was more than mere human manifestation; it was expressed in a multitude of forms.
This appreciation enriched Lakota existence. Life was vivid and pulsing; nothing was casual and commonplace.

The Indian lived - lived in every sense of the word - from his first to his last breath."

chief Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux

those were the ones that caught my eye on this, actions always say more than words ever will...

Healing words.
'wild & free' makes good sense now.
Thanks MM.

Great topic Moe man!

A great contribution of Mr. Moe// thanks .

Wise words may come from brain;but they are approved by heart....GCh.

worth a repost!

Reading such things always reminds me of my time with the Aboriginals when I was 20. One of the tribe elders hadn't seen a white man until he was about 7-8 years old. Meaning most of his generation -at least in that area- grew up the way of the Anangu people.
I gather it's safe to say they still past this on strong to their offspring, but it also seems logical it will begin to water down from there.

I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with them when they weren't completely westernized yet. At the time they didn't live in houses, they didn't want to. So they had open camp grounds, no huts either.
I didn't realize it then, I mean, I was 20, what the hell did I know? But I think back then they were really in that in between phase of their way of life and our way of life, and in that community leaning towards their way still.

Now, if I look at photos and use Google Maps, it's all houses so I suspect not a single Aboriginal lives the Aboriginal way in that sense anymore.

As for the rest, we ALL come from the same background of having lived the way the Aboriginals and Native American Indians did: one with nature.
Europeans lived that way too until patriarchal culture -along with Christianity which IS patriarchal- ruined it all.

In that sense it's pretty safe to say that Christianity ruined the natural way of life on our planet from Europe to every corner of the world, starting with ours in Europe which was as beautiful as the Native American Indians' and the Aboriginals'.

Great thread!

Thanks for a great subject. I have studied ALL the native american tribes, culture, dress, etc. ever since I was 8 years old. I have cried at the Wounded Knee site and I participated in sweat lodge headed by Earl Swift Hawk on the pine ridge reservation. Our native american people have been treated terribly, given the worst land in America, and yet, their young men sign up to be soldiers to protect us. I had the high honor of meeting Russell Means during one of his speeches. And I detest western movies that have white men dressed up as Indians.
I love Adam Beach and Wes Studi in their films.

Very nice addition to the threads. The native culture, like many since, have contributed wonderful ideas to share with others.

Very nice addition to the threads. The native culture, like many since, have contributed wonderful ideas to share with others.

Ahmein!

I really agree with that line- "The constant talker is considered rude and thoughtless." I've known those people.

Thank you for sharing this

totally agree... thanks moe ...