Cheewa James, a professional speaker, television personality and master storyteller has gathered this top-notch collection of Native American stories from men and women across the United States and Canada. Here you will find inspiring tales about tribes, animals, rituals, celebrations, families, and communities. Take them to heart and they will become good medicine for you. There are also a series of inspiring quotations: here are a few examples:
• On Silence
"The Indian believes profoundly in silence —
the sign of a perfect equilibrium.
Silence is the absolute poise or balance
of body, mind and spirit.
The man who preserves his selfhood is ever calm
and unshaken by the storms of existence. . . .
What are the fruits of silence? They are self-control,
true courage or endurance, patience,
dignity and reverence.
Silence is the cornerstone of character."
— Ohiyesa
• On Serenity
"May serenity circle on
silent wings and catch the
whisper of the wind."
Cheewa James
• Make It Work for You
"In you, as in all men, are natural powers.
You have a will. Learn to use it.
Make it work for you.
Sharpen your senses as you sharpen your knife. . . .
We can give you nothing. You already possess
everything necessary to become great."
Legendary Dwarf Chief
• Respect for Our Old People
"We respected our old people above
all others in the tribe.
To live to be so old, they must have
been brave and strong,
and good fighters, and we aspired to be like them.
We never allowed our old people to
want for anything. . . .
We looked upon our old people as
demigods of a kind,
and we loved them deeply.
They were all our fathers."
— Buffalo Child Long Lance
