Maize's Native American Q&A thread (contraceptives, Mary, Articles)

[Feathers in Hair]

I feel horrible that I tried reading "Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee" in one of my high school classes and could not get past the writing style. Maybe I wasn't mature enough, or maybe it was because it was 'required' reading. I'll have to try again.

I had never heard the quote about being the center of your universe, but I don't think I've found one yet that speaks more truly to me than that one. You simply must be.

[martha]

Hi Maize,

Please take the time to find a book called, "The Soul of an Indian", and other writings from Ohiyesa, aka Charles Alexander Eastman. New World Library.
The back cover reads in part...Ohiyesa, a Dakota Indian also known as Charles Alexander Eastman, has been described as the "most incisive and sensitive of Native American thinkers" and has been called "an Indian Thoreau"
Born in southern Minnesota in 1858, he attained postgraduate degrees and went on to advise U.S. presidents, always working toward greater understanding between Indians and whites. Later in life, he returned to his native forests of the Midwest and devoted himself to the traditional ways, often going into the woods alone for months at a time.

A short quote is, page 6..." The worship of The Great Mystery is silent, solitary, free from all self seeking."
" It is silent, because all speech is of necessity feeble and imperfect; therefore the souls of our ancestors ascended to God in wordless adoration." "None can exhort or confess or in any way meddle with the religious experience of another. All of us are created children of God, and all stand erect, conscious of our divinity. Our religion is an attitude of mind, not a dogma."
In my humble opinion, this small, (76 pages) book is awesome.

[linwood]

read " Black Elk Speaks ".

I cannot count how many times I`ve had this book recommended to me but have as of yet haven`t read it.

[kreeden]

The book is only 300 pages long Linwood . You can do it .

It is a very sad story though , for a number of reasons .

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by kreeden

Maize , read " Black Elk Speaks ". He was where . It was his Vision that started the Spirit Coats . He was wounded at the first Wounded Knee , while wearing his coat . Read the book . It is short .

I'm pulling it out today! I might have read some of it before, I can't remember. Thanks.