The time has come to listen to echoes from our land...the wisdom and teachings of our Native American Indians. Their words are simple and their voices are soft. We have not heard them, because we have not taken the time to listen. Perhaps now is the time to open our ears and our hearts to the words of wisdom they have to say.
from First People.com


Washo Woman
Photograph by Edward S. Curtis

We all have to do what we can to keep up with the ever changing world we live in. The way we lived as children may not work in today's society. However, it is always good to remember the old ways and to pass on those treasured teachings of the Elders.

We can be grateful to people like John G. Neihardt who wrote down the words of Black Elk to preserve for all time, and Beverly Hungry Wolfe who documented the things her Grandmothers, Aunts and other elderly peoples taught her and other children in her book, Ways Of My Grandmothers. There are so many good books written about the old ways, the myths, legends and history of the noble peoples of north America. But, prior to European contact, Native American children learned about their way of life, their history, their language and all those wonderful stories through the wisdom of the elders. The way they dressed, the clothes they lovingly made for their families, with hands grown strong and toughened over the years, may be looked upon as just things, but in time they come to represent the old ways and the pride the people took in their skills which they learned from their Elders.

I know that robes, leggings, moccasins, bear claws, and so on are of little value to you, but we wish you have them and to preserve them in some conspicuous part of your lodge, so that when we are gone and the sod turned over our bones, if our children should visit this place, as we do now, they may see and recognize with pleasure the things of their fathers, and reflect on the times that are past.
Sharitarish - Pawnee

The elderly people of traditional Native American tribes and clans were revered and well cared for. The elders were valuable members of each tribe, the ones who were "Keepers of the Way". The knowledge of the people and their history were carried around from lifetime to lifetime in the minds and hearts of the grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts and uncles of the people. They were walking, living, breathing archives of wisdom.

It is so very important to listen to the Elders, to hold near and dear their words, stories and teachings. It is also important to pass on these teachings to the younger generations - to give them the sense of pride in their heritage and the gift of memory of the old ways, the ways of their Ancestors. It would be all too sad if the ways of the old ones were forgotten.

I am an old woman now. The buffaloes and black-tail deer are gone, and our Indian ways are almost gone. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I ever lived them. My little son grew up in the white man's school. He can read books, and he owns cattle and has a farm. He is a leader among our Hidatsa people, helping teach them to follow the white man's road. He is kind to me. We no longer live in an earth lodge, but in a house with chimneys, and my son's wife cooks by a stove. But for me, I cannot forget our old ways. Often in summer I rise at daybreak and steal out to the corn fields, and as I hoe the corn I sing to it, as we did when I was young. No one cares for our corn songs now. Sometimes in the evening I sit, looking out on the big Missouri. The sun sets, and dusk steals over the water. In the shadows I see again our Indian village, with smoke curling upward from the earth lodges, and in the river's roar I hear the yells of the warriors, and the laughter of little children of old. It is but an old woman's dream. Then I see but shadows and hear only the roar of the river, and tears come into my eyes. Our Indian life, I know, is gone forever.
Waheenee - Hidatsa (North Dakota)

When the time comes that one has reached the status of Elder, it is then that one will look back over their life, to see what they have done or said while on Mother Earth. Questions may be asked of the self: Did I teach my children and grandchildren the ways of the Ancestors? Did I help to keep alive the words of wisdom that were gifted to me by my Grandmother or Grandfather? What did I pass on to the younger generation? Will they remember the teachings of my Grandmother that I so valued?

When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so 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 Aupumut - Mohican
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