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January 22, 2015
from
WisdomPills Website
Spanish version
Luther Standing Bear was an
Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Chief who,
among a few rare others such as,
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Charles Eastman
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Black Elk
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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 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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Kinship 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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…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.
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Civilization has been thrust
upon me… and it has not added one whit to my love for truth,
honesty, and generosity.
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