Native American Words

Drawing Conclusions:What do these words tell us

about Native American beliefs?

Respect“Wawoohola “To be considerate, to hold in high esteem

“[Luther Standing Bear]’s biggest concern was that humans who lost respect for animals would soon lose respect for their own kind as well.”

“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.”

~ Ancient American Indian Proverb

”When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”

~ Cree Prophecy

“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.”

~Chief Seattle

“When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.”~ Arapaho Proverb