The teachings of the Native Americans provide a connection with the land, the environment, and the simple beauties of life. This collection of writings from revered Native Americans offers timeless, meaningful lessons on living and learning. Taken from writings, orations, and recorded observations of life, this book selects the best of Native American wisdom and distills it to its essence in short, digestible quotes — perhaps even more timely now than when they were first written. In addition to the short passages, this edition includes the complete Soul of an Indian, as well as other writings by Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), one of the great interpreters of American Indian thought, and three great speeches by Chiefs Joseph, Seattle, and Red Jacket.

The effects of diet, cleansing and purification, herbal remidies, music, morals, behavior, and the surrounding environment are all discussed in the parts they play towrds achieving greater spirtuality. Additionally, a number of characteristics unique only to Native Americans is presented in the hope that other races may learn and benefit from these same excellent qualities. Besides this, an entire section is devoted to the manner in which ancient Aztecs raised their children. Today's frustrated single and two parent families will certainly appreciate this valuable information in knowing how to rear not only better behaved but also spiritually superior youngsters. Finally, the most important trait of love upon which all genuine spirituality is based, is given serious consideration.

An inspiring anthology of prose, poetry and ancestral wisdom from members of 40 Native American tribes, organized alphabetically from Anishinaabeg to Zuni Although there are major differences in the lifestyles of the numerous Native American nations, they share fundamental beliefs. The spiritual wisdom of these people is based on a love and reverence for Nature, a belief in a Supreme Being and a spirit world that interacts with human activity. Organized in alphabetical order and grouped around the main Native American Nations from Apache to Zuni, including the Sioux, Eskimo, Cherokee and many more, the evocative words that Alan Jacobs has selected from all the major tribes express the love and respect they feel for their environment and our place within it.

A “profound and inspiring” collection of ancient indigenous wisdom for “anyone wanting the healing of self, society, and of our shared planet” (Peter Levine, author of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma). A Penobscot Indian draws on the experiences and wisdom of the First Nations to address environmental justice, water protection, generational trauma, and more. Drawing from ancestral knowledge, as well as her experience as an attorney and activist, Sherri Mitchell addresses some of the most crucial issues of our day—including indigenous land rights, environmental justice, and our collective human survival. Sharing the gifts she has received from the elders of her tribe, the Penobscot Nation, she asks us to look deeply into the illusions we have labeled as truth and which separate us from our higher mind and from one another. Sacred Instructions explains how our traditional stories set the framework for our belief systems and urges us to decolonize our language and our stories. It reveals how the removal of women from our stories has impacted our thinking and disrupted the natural balance within our communities. For all those who seek to create change, this book lays out an ancient world view and set of cultural values that provide a way of life that is balanced and humane, that can heal Mother Earth, and that will preserve our communities for future generations.

Looks at religion and the social customs of Native Americans of North America, focusing on tribes, territories, spirits, symbols, myths, cosmos, and other topics.

In this collection of essays, the chief components of Indian religions and our perceptions of them are treated in sensitive manner.

Rich with magnificent photographs and powerful words, this book takes the reader into the inner thoughts, jokes, healing remedies, and humanity of Native American spiritual elders—otherwise known as the Wisdomkeepers. In their own words elders from the Sioux, Iroquois, Seminole, Ojibwe, Hopi, Ute, Pawnee, and other tribes explain who they are, how they live, and what they believe. Readers learn of Buffalo Jim, a Seminole who describes the story of creation as if the Everglades were Eden, and Mathew King, a Lakota who warns of punishments for those who would destroy earth. Readers share the innermost thoughts and feelings, the dreams and visions, the laughter, the healing remedies, and the prophecies of the Wisdomkeepers. Above all, the elders offer their humanity, which shines through each page. They are the Elders, the Old Ones, the Grandfathers and Grandmothers, the fragile repositories of sacred ways and natural wisdom going back millennia, yet never more relevant than today.

Kindling the Native Spirit reveals secrets to enhance your connection to the mysterious forces around you. It’s a mystic map that guides the way for you to follow in the footsteps of the wise ones who have gone before you. And in a deeper way, it ignites the majestic native soul that dwells within you, which in turn reestablishes your relationship to the sacred whole. Denise Linn, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has gleaned wisdom from tribal traditions around the world, including the Zulu in Africa, the Maori in New Zealand, the Aborigines of Australia, and various Native American tribes in North America, along with other indigenous cultures. In this groundbreaking book, she shares specific methods to open gateways to mystical encounters and the knowledge that enables you to activate ancient healing practices in your present-day life. You’ll learn how to discover your true name, determine your animal ally, embark on sacred spirit journeys, and experience vision quests. In addition, there are step-by-step instructions on how to make a rattle, dream catcher, spirit stick, prayer feather, and your own medicine bag. Denise also shares little-known methods to shape-shift; tap into your ability to "call" animals, plants, and Spirit; invite the power of the guardians of the four directions; gain protection from your ancestors; spend time with the "little people"; utilize the power of "earthing" to bring wholeness . . . and much more. Ignite your native spirit within, and enter a wondrous realm of profound visionary experiences!

Growing up, I knew two things to be true: My dad was a drunk. Being an Indian was complicated. When I joined the Navy, these two ideas were cemented when my fellow sailors, after finding out that I was an American Indian, would ask me if I drank a lot or if I still lived in a TeePee. They were asking questions because that’s what they knew and I couldn’t blame them. I could only answer “no” to both. These questions, posed by my curious new friends, made me wish that I knew more about my background, about me. Dad tried to teach us the language, the culture, what it meant to be Ojibwe. But no one wants to learn from a drunken Indian, least of all, me. Then, in the winter of 1980, my dad nearly died. When he awoke, everything changed. This is his story. Warrior Spirit Rising is the inspiring true account of Gene Goodsky, as told through the eyes of his oldest daughter, Dianna. Gene was raised in the North Woods of Minnesota, on the tribal lands of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. Surviving years of cultural genocide, racism, and the Vietnam War left him broken—battling severe PTSD and alcohol abuse. In this stunning tale of Native American perseverance, Good Sky unravels the history of her father, her family, and her people, and the near-death experience that would change their lives forever. With both wit and honesty, she explores the devastating loss of heritage that has impacted generations of Native Americans, and how the powerful choice to forgive can leave a legacy.

• Explores 45 different power animals alphabetically and shares their strengths, wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them • Provides a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion • Offers practices--such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page--to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period Since the beginning of time, animals have played an important role in each of our lives. Early humans were almost entirely dependent on the animal kingdom for survival. Shamans both ancient and modern merged in trance with their animal allies for spiritual guidance. Native Americans learned their personal totem animal in childhood and viewed them as life-long companions. And today we can still call on our power animals for strength, serenity, inspiration, and support. In this full-color pocket guide featuring beautiful animal photos, the authors introduce 45 important spirit animals alphabetically and explore their wisdom, special energies, and how to connect with them. They provide a meditative journey to help you discover which animal is your personal soul companion and offer practices--such as observing your dreams, carving or drawing your animal guide, or opening the book to a random page--to intuitively find the right power animal for a given situation or for support and protection in a difficult period. Is your spirit animal an eagle, deer, or wolf, or will you be surprised to find connections to a hummingbird, dolphin, or fire salamander? With this reference, you can call on the healing power of the bear to strengthen your body and keep calm, the far-reaching and precise vision of the hawk to see imbalances in your life, or the intelligence of the owl to make wise decisions. This book offers an accessible starting point for your journey of discovery through the diverse kingdom of spirit animals.