First Philosophy -
TO
THE WOMEN
The
cycle of life for the woman is the baby, girl, woman,
and grandmother.
These are the four directions of life.
She has been given by natural laws the ability to reproduce
life. The most sacred of all things in life.
Therefore, all men should treat her with dignity and
respect.
Never was it our way to harm her mentally or physically.
Indian men were never abusers. We always treated our
women with respect and understanding.
So, from now on,
I will treat women in a sacred manner.
The Creator gave women the responsibility for bringing
new life into the world. Life is sacred, so I will look
upon women in a sacred manner.
In our traditional ways, the woman is the foundation
of the family.
I will work with her to create a home atmosphere of
respect, security and harmony.
I will refrain from any form of emotional or physical
abuse.
If I have these feelings, I will talk to the Creator
for guidance.
I will treat all women as if they were my own female
relatives.
This I vow.
Second Philosophy - TO
THE CHILDREN
As
an eagle prepares its young to leave the nest with all
the skills and knowledge it needs to participate in
life, in the same manner so I will guide my children.
I will use the culture to prepare them for life.
The most important thing I can give to my children is
my time.
I will spend time with them in order to learn them and
to listen to them.
I will teach my children to pray, as well as the importance
of respect.
We are the caretakers of the children for the Creator.
They are his children, not ours.
I am proud of our Native language. I will learn it if
I can and help my children to learn it.
In today's world it is easy for the children to go astray,
so I will work to provide positive alternatives for
them.
I will teach them the culture.
I will encourage education. I will encourage sports.
I will encourage them to talk with the Elders for guidance;
but mostly, I will seek to be a role model myself.
I make this commitment to my children so they will have
courage and find guidance through traditional ways.
Third Philosophy -
TO
THE FAMILY
The
Creator gave to us the family, which is the place where
all teachings are handed down from the grandparent,
to the parent, and to the child. The children's
behavior is a mirror of the parent's behavior.
Knowing this, I realize the importance for each Indian
man to be responsible to the family in order to fulfill
the need to build a strong and balanced family. By doing
this, I will break the cycle of hurt and ensure the
positive mental health of our children, even the children
yet to be born.
So, from now on,
I will dedicate my priorities to rebuilding my family.
I must never give up and leave my family only to the
mother.
I am accountable to restore the strength of my family.
To do this, I will nurture our family's spiritual,
cultural and social health. I will demonstrate trust,
respect, honor and discipline; but mostly I will be
consistent in whatever I do with them.
I will see that the grandparents and community Elders
play a significant role in the education of my children.
I realize that the male and female together are fundamental
to our family life. I will listen to my mate's
council for our family's benefit, as well as for
the benefit of my Indian Nation.
Fourth Philosophy
- TO THE COMMUNITY
The
Indian community provides many things for the family.
The most important is the sense of belonging; that is,
to belong to "the people", and to have a place
to go. Our Indian communities need to be restored to
health so the future generation will be guaranteed a
place to go for culture, language and Indian socializing.
In he community, the honor of one is the honor of all
and the pain of one is the pain of all. I will work
to strengthen recovery in all parts of my community.
As an Indian man,
I will give back to my community by donating my time
and talents when I am able.
I will cultivate friendships with other Indian men for
mutual support and strength.
I will consider the effects of our decisions on behalf
of the next seven generations; in this way, our children
and grandchildren will inherit healthy communities.
I will care about those in my community so that the
mind changes, alcohol and drugs, will vanish, and our
communities will forever be free of violence.
If each of us can do all these things, then others,
will follow; ours will be a proud community.
Fifth Philosophy -
THE
EARTH
Our
Mother Earth is the source of all life, whether it be
plants, the two-legged, four-legged, winged ones or
human beings. The Mother Earth is the greatest teacher,
if we listen, observe and respect her. When we live
in harmony with the Mother Earth, she will recycle the
things we consume and make them available to our children.
As an Indian man, I must teach my children how to care
for the Earth so it is there for the future generations.
So from now on,
I realize the Earth is our Mother. I will treat her
with honor and respect.
I will honor the interconnectedness of all things and
all forms of life.
I will realize the Earth does not belong to us, but
that we belong to the Earth.
The natural law is the ultimate authority upon the lands
and water. I will learn the knowledge and wisdom of
the natural laws. I will pass this knowledge on to my
children.
The Mother Earth is a living entity that maintains life.
I will speak out in a good way whenever I see someone
abusing the Earth. Just as I would protect my own mother,
so I will protect the Earth. I will ensure that the
land, water, and air will be intact for my children
and for my children's children-the unborn.
Sixth Philosophy -
TO
THE CREATOR
As
an Indian man, I realize we make no gains without the
Great Spirit being in our lives. Neither I, nor anything
I attempt to do, will work without our Creator. Being
Indian and being spiritual has the same meaning. Spirituality
is our gift from the Great One. This say, I vow to walk
the Red Road.
As an Indian man,
I will return to the traditional and spiritual values
which have guided my ancestors for the past generations.
I will look with new eyes on the powers of our ceremonies
and religious ways, for they are important to the very
survival of our people.
We have survived and are going to grow and flourish
spiritually. We will fulfill our teachings and the purpose
that the Creator has given us with dignity.
Each day, I will pray and ask guidance. I will commit
to walk the Red Road, or whatever the spiritual way
is called in my own culture.
If I am a Christian, I will be a good one. If I tradition,
I will walk this road with dedication.
If each of us can do these things then others will follow.
From this day forward, I will reserve time and energy
for spirituality, seeking to know the Creator's
will.
Seventh Philosophy
- TO
MYSELF
I
will think about what kind of person I want to be when
I am an Elder. I will start developing myself now to
be this person.
I will walk with the Great Spirit and the grandfathers
at my side. I will develop myself to remain positive.
I will develop a good mind.
I will examine myself daily to see what I did good and
what I need to improve. I will examine my strengths
and weaknesses; then I will ask the Creator to guide
me. I will develop a good mind.
Each day, I will listen for the Creator's voice
in the wind. I will watch nature and ask to be shown
a lesson which will occur on my path.
I will seek our the guiding principles which guided
my ancestors. I will walk in dignity, honor and humility,
conducting myself as a warrior.
I will seek the guidance of the Elders so that I may
maintain the knowledge of culture, ceremonies and songs,
and so that I may pass these on to future generations.
I choose to do all these things myself, because no one
else can do them for me.
I know I CANNOT GIVE AWAY WHAT I DON'T HAVE, so
I will need to learn to walk the talk.
©
1996 by White
Bison Inc.
Re-printed with permission
