THE TRUE ESSENCE OF CIVILIZATION

"The man who sat on the ground in his tipi meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures and acknowledging unity with the universe of things, was infusing into his being the true essence of civilization."

Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Sioux (1868-1937)

SPIRIT OF CREATION

"We believe that the Spirit pervades all creation and that every creature possesses a soul in some degree, though not necessarily a soul conscious of itself. The tree, the waterfall, the grizzly bear, each is an embodied Force, and as such an object of reverence."
Ohiyesa (Charles Eastman), Santee Sioux, 1858-1939



spirit horse by C.Natali copyright 2003



THE EUROPEANS ARRIVED

Before the Europeans arrived in the Americas, more than 500 tribes (a collective group of about 22 million people) inhabited what is now the United States. The Spaniards came first. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador Island. He was installed by the Spanish Crown as Viceroy and governor of the Caribbean Islands where he promptly instituted policy of slavery and systematic extermination against the Taino population. From about 8 million Tainos, the population was reduced to about 22.000 in a period of only 22 years. They were victims of disease, slavery, torture, war.
In the U.S. a pre-contact population of about 22 million people dropped to less than 250.000 between 1890 and 1910. Epidemics wiped out 25 to 50% of the population, warfare another 10%. The cultural devastation was even harder to measure, since many tribes were hunted down and virtually exterminated, such as the Pequot of New England and the Yana and Maidu of California. Other tribes were decimated by smallpox, measles, cholera, and other diseases brought by the "superior" Europeans. By the mid 1700s, no less than 6 European powers had claimed some part of North America (Spain, France, England, Holland, Sweden and Russia).



Art by C.Natali - copyright 1997



SOME FACTS TO REMEMBER

"In March 12, 1880: Judge Elmer Dundy resolved that Native Americans are indeed "Persons within the meaning of the law" and have the same rights as any other person. Until then, it was debated whether an Indian was a real person or an Animal !!!


"June 2, 1924: all American Indians were granted U.S. citizenship!"


"The Native American people were forbidden to legally practice the Ghost Dance until 1978!"

CHIEF JOSEPH'S STATEMENT

"The earth was created by the assitance of the sun, and it should be left as it was...The country was made without lines of demarcation, and it is no man's business to divide it...I see the whites all over the country gaining wealth, and see their desire to give us lands which are worthless...The earth and myself are of one mind. The measure of the land and the measure of our bodies are the same, say to us if you can say it, that you were sent by the Creative Power to talk to us. Perhaps you think the Creator sent you here to dispose of us as you see fit. If I thought you were sent by the Creator I might be induced to think you had a right to dispose of me. Do not misunderstand me, but understand me fully with reference to my affection for the land. I never said the land was mine to do with it as I chose. The one who has the right to dispose of it is the one who has created it. I claim a right to live on my land, and accord you the privilege to live on yours."
Chief Joseph - Heinmot Tooyalaket (Nez-Perce)

CRAZY HORSE - LAKOTA WARRIOR

"One does not sell the land people walk on"

Sept.23, 1875. Crazy Horse, Lakota warrior

          

Crazy Horse was one of the most powerful leader of the Lakota people during the wars between U.S.and Sioux people in the 1800's. Everyone knew he had special powers that were received during a powerful vision he had when still only 13 years old. He was never defeated in any battle, he was only concerned with the welfare of his people, that they could keep their lands and religious ways, as it had been for thousands of years on their sacred lands. But jealousy even among his own people was the main reason why he was killed a few months after he took the hard decision to surrender, besides the fact that the government just wanted to find a little reason to get him out of their context once and for all. It was September 05, 1877, an extremely sad day for the Lakotas...

Art by C.Natali - copyright 1999