Native American Heritage

Ralph Willet Dixey (Bannock tribe), Peter Jim (Shoshone tribe), 1897.

Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path.
Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy, and greed stem from a lost soul.
Our ancestors taught us that not everyone who walks beside us walks with understanding.
Some are wounded. Some are disconnected. Some have forgotten who they are and where they come from.
In Native teachings, we are reminded that anger is not strength, and greed is not power.
True strength is patience.
True power is compassion.
True wisdom is knowing when to stand firm and when to offer grace.
To our Native people:
Your spirit has survived storms meant to erase you.
Your roots run deeper than hatred, deeper than misunderstanding.
You carry the prayers, songs, and resilience of generations.
Do not let the lost pull you from your path.
Walk with dignity. Speak with truth. Live with balance.
Your ancestors are watching, and your descendants are listening.
🌿 Honor the past. Protect the present. Shape the future.
🪶 We rise by remembering who we are.
— Native Cultures Consortiums
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🔁 Let this reach those who need to hear it today.

A LAUGH FOR TODAY❤
When NASA was preparing for the Apollo moon landings of the late 60s and early 70s, they did some astronaut training along a Navajo Indian reservation in the SW. One day, a Navajo elder and his grandson were herding animals and came across the space crew. The old man, who only spoke Navajo, asked a question, which the grandson translated: "What are the guys in the big suits doing?" A member of the crew said they were practicing for their trip to the moon." Then, recognizing a promotional opportunity for the spin-doctors, added, "We will be leaving behind a special record with greetings in many languages and such. Would the old man be interested in giving us a greeting to include?"
Upon translation, the old man got really excited and was thrilled at the idea of sending a message to the moon with the astronauts. The NASA folks produced a tape recorder and the old man recorded his message at which the grandson fought back the urge to laugh... but he refused to translate.
After Apollo 11 had successfully landed on the moon and brought its astronauts homes, a new group were training in the desert when one of the NASA officials recognized the Navajo elder and his grandson and went to tell them that the old man's message was indeed on the moon which was met with laughter.
Finally, the NASA rep caught on that not everything was as simple as he had originally thought and asked for a translation. With a chuckle the youngster replied: "Beware of white man; they come to steal your land!"