"From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."-Chief Joseph, Wounded Knee
How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us.If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man --- all belong to the same family.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.
Man does not weave this web of life. He is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
-Chief Seattle
I've only read the first chapter of this book, wow, some powerful stuff.
Has anyone else read it?
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3 comments:
No, but I look forward to it. Right up my alley!
Prepare to cry. I did.
I remember doing a report on Chief Joseph in school. His words touched my core and I cried a good cry. So beautiful and poignant and powerful. Very transformative.
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