Reading #46

December 12, 2016

We know that the God of educated and the God of the child and the God of the civilized and the God of the primitive, are all the same God. He does not discriminate, he treats everyone as equals. No one is better than the other. He embraces everyone who lives a just and respectful life.

There is one God. He doesn't judge us by the color of our skin or where we grew up. He looks at us as equals. He loves us all equally. He judges us by the good in our hearts. God does not discriminate.

Reading #44

December 8, 2016

The color of your skin makes no difference. What is just and good for one, is good and just for the other. We are all brothers. I have red skin, my granfather was a white man. What does it matter? We are all the same.

It's easy to stereotype people and judge them by their ethnicity or skin color. But people tend to forget that what's inside of us makes us who we are. We all have lungs, eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and hearts that cirrculate life throughout our bodies. Why are people so quick to forget that we are all made equal in dignity and spirit.

Reading #43

December 7, 2016

The whites will pass. They should contaminate their own bed. One night, you will suffocate in your own waste.

The Natives understood that the Whites would face their own downfall. One day their wrong doing will catch up with them. They will be overwhelmed and suffocated by their own sins, espcially those against the Natives. All men are mortal, one day men will no longer walk the earth. There will come a day when trace of every race and humans will be gone.

Reading #42

December 6, 2016

The sight of your cities hurts the Native Americans' eyes. Is it because we are savages and don't understand? In your cities, you can't hear or see the beauty of nature. The clatter hurts my ears. The Natives love the smell of the wind, with a hint of pine. Wind is precious because we are all connected in the sense that we share the same breath.

In the busy city, all you can smell is pollution. The skyscrapers don't allow the natural light to shine down upon your skin. The ground is made a concrete and has no life. Nature is a thing of beauty and a city doesn't breathe life. Though there could be a million people in a city, none of them are connected. Our roots come from nature. Man is made of elements that were once a part of stars. A city diminishes are birth in nature, rather it makes us more of metal, smog, and stone. They say cities are one of the greatest things in the world, but have people forgotten the gift of nature that has been presented to man from the second he took his first breath?

Reading #41

December 5, 2016

Civilization has been thrust upon me. It hasn't added anything to my love for truth, honesty, and generosity.

Civilization isn't the source of what makes us an individual. We earn our values of truth, honesty, and generosity through our interaction with both the people and the world around us. It is up to us to decide what kind of people we're gonna be. It's easy to go with what everyone else is doing, but it takes a strong individual to stand up and do what they want to do, even if society rejects them. We have the power to choose. While the world around us can scream and shout and command us to be something, just another face among the crowd, we need to remember that we are individuals and we decide our own fate, not civilization.

Reading #40

November 30, 2016

We can only judge what's right by our own standard or right and wrong. Our way is different than the whites. The whites can do wrong their entire life yet they ask for penance on their death bed and everything is forgiven. The slate of their sins is completly wiped clean. It's different for us. We have to do what is right our entire lives. We share our food with those who are hunger. We give the cold blankets in their time of need.

It's important to go through life showing others respect and kindness. I don't think it's right for a person who has wronged other their entire life to be given a "get out of jail free" card on their death bed just because they don't want to go to hell. I believe that a person shoud be judged by all their actions, right or wrong. When it's time for our death it's important to remember you control where you whether it's heaven or hell. You control your own fate.

Reading #39

November 28, 2016

They're a heartless nation. they made their people slaves. we never believe in making man slaves. we believe that the slaves are painted black so they can tell the difference from them.
 The United States allowed slavery to be a part of the country for many years. They enslaved their fellow men and treated them as property rather than with respect and dignity. The Cheyenne were wise beyond their years because they understood that all men are equal and are deserving of love and respect. Sadly, it took the white men an entire war and countless casualties to understand this concept of equality.  

Reading #38

Nov. 15, 2016

They are industrialists. They are honest and upright. But their attention to business created too much worldly focuses and they forget about their religion and God. Their main goal money, to get money, make money, and be rich! 

It's easy to focus on worldly possessions and think about money. It's true that you do need money to survive, it shouldn't be the driving force in your life! Love, family, and friends should be the focus. Life is about more than materialistic wants! Life is about the pursuit of happiness and finding what fills your heart with the love that was always meant to fill it.

Reading #37

Nov. 11, 2016

You approach us in an inappropiate manner. You say that our country is hell. You say France is a paradise if so why did you leave it? Why did you leave your own land behind? Learn now that there is no Indian who does not consider himself innifinetly happier than the French.

The white men told the Indians that their homeland was like hell. They said French was a paradise. They should have just stayed in France. The white man has this superiroty complex saying that in every way we're better than you. The natives aren't impressed with these men. The natives have loved this land centuries before the white man set foot upon it. If only they would have returned to France.

Reading #36

Nov. 10, 2016

I'm an old woman now. The buffalo and deer are gone. Soon the Cheyenne culture will be gone. It's as if I never even lived this life. My son was raised in white man's schools. I can't forget our old ways. Sometimes I still plow the corn ans sing like I did when I was young. No one cares about the songs anymore. I look out and see the sunset. In the shadows I can imagine seeing the village. I can hear the warriors and the laughter of the children. It's only an old woman's dream. Tears fill my eyes and the life I knew is gone forever.

The speaker of this poem tries to remember the days of her youth. She imagines all the sights and sounds that had once filled the camp so many years ago. It was the time when she was the most happy. But it is gone. The white man took over the land, forced the Natives to join their culture. By forcing this new culture upon the people, their traditions and culture was lost. Now it is only a memory. It makes you think of the times when everything was simple and happy, but then something shifts and everything falls a part and that moment is gone forever.

Reading #35

Nov. 9, 2016

In a few days, we'll no longer remain. The dust from our bones will mix with the earth and our prayers. I can no longer see the smoke from our camp, I no longer hear the women singing, and the buffalo are gone. All that's left is the howl of a lone coyotte. The white man's medicine is stronger than us: his guns and railroads are stronger than we are. We're like birds with a broken wing, are eye sight is failing, my heart beat is fading, and I am old.

The White men came in with their "superior" ways of living from things such as transportation and fire arms. Yet, they didn't notice the beauty of the Cheyenne lifestyle. While it may seem that their ways are inferior to the white man's, in actuallity, they are stronger. They live off the land and let the earth supply their energy. The enjoy the simplicity of songs floating through the camp or smoke from the tent. Why didn't the white man allow the bird to heal it's wing so it could once again soar? Instead, they left the animal for dead, destroying the bird's nest in the forest, and taking the bird's eggs.

Reading #34

November 4, 2016

When I was a child, the natives owned the world. Where are the warriors? Who killed them? Where are our lands? Who owns them? The white men and women say we stole from them, yet they took our land. I've never hurt a woman. I'm not a drunk. I've never beat my wife or hurt my children. Is it wrong for me to love my people? Why am I judged for the color of my skin? Why am I hated for loving my people? I would die for my people and my country.

There are people that say that the Natives should have tried to learn the white man's culture. That they should have thrown away their religion and traditions and become something they're not. But what if someone invaded your hom and started screaming at you saying, "Become my religion or die!" What would you do? Everyone has a right to their own culture and no one can tell you how to feel. We are all different and once people start to understand that their is beauty in that perhaps we can all live in a peaceful existence.

Reading #33

November 2, 2016

Don't be sad, bad things will happen to the best of men. Death always comes when you least expect it. You must obey death, for it can't be prevented. Since it can't be prevented don't grieve over it.

Death is a part of life. We all are mortals and there will come a day when our physical bodies no longer walk the earth. Don't be sad, death is hard and painful but in death there is life. Our bodies will return to the earth from which we came and our spirits will move on to something we can't even comprehend. There is life after death so it's best not to let it consume your thoughts.

Reading #31

November 1, 2016

The wilderness wasn't dangerous but hospitable. They were free of fear and saw the wilderness for it's beauty. Indian faith looks for harmony of his surrondings. The white man looks for dominance of their surrondings.

The wilderness needs to be see for its beauty. The Natives understood this. They saw the Earth as a friend not a foe. The white man couldn't understand this. Rather, they decided to tear it down because they feared the unknown. If they had only taken the time to embrace the nature, perhaps they wouldn't have feared it.

Reading #30

October 31, 2016

Nothing that nature gave to the Natives pleased the White men. Nothing escaped the touch of the white man. The white men show no love or respect for nature. They tore down the trees and ruined the homes of the animals.

People forget to appreciate and respect nature. Big corporations come in and tear down miles of land and trees. Man has left his dirty footprint on the Earth and hass ripped away its natural beauty. There will come a day when man is whipped off the earth, his mark is erased, and all that will remain in the Earth in its purest state.

Reading #28

October 28, 2016

Animals have rights. They should be protected, allowed to live, allowed to reproduce, and freedom. The Natives never enslaved the animals, they only killed them out of need for survival never out of fun.

Animals should be respected and cared for. They are God's gift to the world. They are the companion of man. They have just as much as right as anyone to live and prosper. People that hunt for the fun of it are not respecting the animals. The hunting of game should only be done out of necessity for food or clothing, never for the pure sport of it. Ever since man stepped on the earth, they let greed go to their heads. They hunted animals for their fur to be sold for their own profit. Respect the animals, they too breath the same air as we do and have the right to live just like we do.

Reading #27

October 27, 2016

There was great unifying life force that flowed through everything. It united everything in nature from the plants to the animals. It was the same force the filled the lungs of the first human. We are all family and united by the same, amazing mystery.

We are all connected. Though we may look different on the outside, we all breathe the same air. Blood pumps through all our veins. Do we not all have lungs and hearts that keep us alive? We are the same. We all face struggles and challenges but as humans we overcome adversity. We are united. From birth we are all given the possibility to be people who do good. We are all given the choice and free will. We are human.

Reading #26

October 21, 2016

We don't want churches because they'll teach us to fight about God. We might fight about stuff going on now, but we never fight about God.

There are a lot of arguments when it comes to religion. Wars are fought over religion and God. We should just accept that everyone is going to worship whoever they want to worship and that's okay. We need to learn to open not only our minds but our hearts to others around us, whether they are Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or any other religion.

Reading #25

October 18, 2016

There is a unexpressable comfort to feeling safe with friends and family. They see us just as we are and we see them the way they are. No words have to be spoken, because there is mutual understanding. They understand us, the good and the bad. You need to keep the parts of you that are worth keeping. With kindness you can brush away all the negatvity parts of yourself.

There is always something comforting about being with the people you love and care about. They see us for who we really are. They have a way of bringing out the best and us. Even in our lowest moments, they are there for us, lifting our spirits, filling out hearts with kindness. With these people in our lives, they help us get rid of the bad parts of ourselves so that we can be seen as we truly are.

Reading #24

October 17, 2016

My heart is filled with joy when I see you here. I'm as joyful as a stream filled with fresh water after the snow melts away. As the horses have fresh grass in the start of the new year.

People have a way of bringing joy into our lives. We are social beings that depend on others. They have the power to raise our spirits or tear us down. There is a huge importance in who we spend our time with. Be a person that only brings joy into others lives, not sorrow or pain.

Reading #22

October 14, 2016

How desperately do we need to be loved? We have to have it, because our spirits depend on it. Without it, we weaken and we're not brave. Without love we shrink away from everyone and focus only on ourselves, thus destroying ourselves. With love, we are strong, creative, and willing to sacrifice ourselves for others.

Love is not a weakness, though some may believe this. But in reality, love is strength. Love can mend wounds. It's one of the greatest gifts and it shouldn't be taken for granted. Love is something so pure and with it we find ourselves. With love we have the strength to do what is right. A life without love is a sad exsistence. We are made to love and receieve love because with it, we are fulfilled in every way possible.

Reading #21

October 13, 2016

Try to do something for the people, even if it's hard. Have pity on them, love them, and help them in any way possible. If there is a problem, step in and assist them.

I think in today's world, people get so wrapped up in  themselves that they forget about others in the world. Sometimes we forget how blessed we are compared to others out there. You have the power to make a difference. Don't just stand by and watch someone struggle, step in, and help them. Love everyone, no matter who they are, we are all equal. As a Catholic, I try to follow this way of living, trying to serve others in any way I can. I'm not the kind of person that can just stand by and not help. It's hard for me to imagine that there are people who ignore the cries of those in need.

Reading #20

October 6, 2016

Look and listen for the universal welfare of everyone. You should always keep in the mind the present and future. We need to think about the unborn and what future they will hold.

We should always remember that even though we're living in the present, there are future generations to come. We need to make sure they have a safe world to come into. We need to make sure that when our souls leave this life we will have no fear for what is to come for the new generation. The new generation needs to be able to thrive and the only way we can do that is to make sure in this moment we take care of the earth. We need to do everything in our power to protect this earth and leave something for the next generation. One needs to remember that while we may live in the present, we are preparing for the future.

Reading #19

October 5, 2016

No one desires a reward for doing something courageous but rather the consciousness for serving the nation.

We don't do acts of kindness because we want a reward for doing them. We do these things because helping others and seeing the imact we have on someone's life is a reward of it's own. Acts that show courage are some of the purest acts because we have to put our own personal needs aside and focus on others.

Reading #17

October 4, 2016

When you start something great, you can't expect to get it done all at once. So keeping going! Don't let this discourage you, because evetually you will get it done.

Great things take time and effort. You can't expect to wake up over night having accomplish such a tremendous task. Mastering something takes time and that okay. EVentually, you will get to the point when your great work is complete. Don't give up! The road to greatness isn't an easy one, but the destination is worth it in the end.

Reading #14

October 3, 2016

I was made to respect especially the very old. I wasn't allowed to join their discussions unless I requested.

We need to respect those older than us. They have years of wisdom and they have experienced the world in ways we haven't been able to. Being old isn't a bad thing, it's an honor. It shows that this person has walked through life, faced the challeneges that have been thrown to them, and made it out on the other side. We always have to respect those older than us, for their eyes have seen all and we must learn from them.

Reading #12

September 28, 2016

Observation has rewards. Interest, wonder, admiration grew and life was appreciated as more than just human existence. This increased of our lives and we lived each moment of our lives with a deep appreciation.

We need to realize that the earth was thriving even before humans walked the earth. We need to remember we didn't make the earth, the earth made us. We need to look at it with respect and appreciation. If we appreciate what was given to us by the earth, we'll live fuller lives. From the second we're born and in our last breathes, we need to be grateful of what the earth has provided for us and know that we lived in love and admiration of it.

Reading #11

September 21, 2016

We never complained about the storms. Standing up to them would be futile. Rather we adjusted to the storms, with no complaints.

In our lives, it's easy to just complain about everything that's going wrong. You can go on and on for hours crying about things you can't change. But what if we stopped complaining about our problems and adjusted to them? Why not try to work your way around them and let the problem make you stronger. Sitting around and complaining isn't going to get you anywhere. It's time to stand up and face the storm, adjust to the whipping wind and the glassy sleet, and be strong.

Reading #10

September 20, 2016

Knowledge is in everything. The world is a library and everything that makes up the earth is the books. The student of nature's goal: to learn how to feel beauty.

We have the vast knowledge of the world at our fingertips, and I'm not talking about Google. I'm talking about nature. Nature has so many different secrets and it seems that people are uninterested in learning the secrets. It's easy to look something up on the internet, but isn't it better to see it with your own eyes? Their is beauty in everything, and we need to remember what it's like to feel beauty. For me, something as simple as the leaves changing colors in the fall time is so beautiful and breath-taking. I could sit for hour in the forest looking up at the kaleidoscope of oranges, yellows, and red. No picture on Google can even hold a flame to the real deal.

Reading #8

September 15, 2016

The natives that went off to college came back a different people. They forgot the ancient ways. They no longer knew how to hunt, speak the language correctly, and couldn't handle the cold or hunger. They were good for nothing. We can instruct your sons and make them into real men.

The colonists came to America wanting to "fix" the natives. They believed that the Natives needed adapt to the new culture that was presented to them. The colonists dismissed the traditions and beliefs of the people, because the white man always knows best, right? The Natives didn't need to change their ways. The settlers believed the Natives were foolish and stupid and they needed to be properly educated. They should have never disregarded the people, they should have found a way to live in peace and respect each other's differences.

Reading #7

September 13, 2016

Look at me, I might not have much but I am the chief of the nation. We don't want money, we want to raise our children right. Riches won't do us any good when we live this life. We only want peace and love.

Money isn't everything. Sure, it brings us some amount of joy in this world, but does it ever last? We should fill our lives with things of meaning. Life is about surrounding ourselves with the people that love us and fill our lives with joy. You could be the richest man on the planet, and still not feel happiness. After we die we're not going to need money and fancy jewels, we're going to need spirits filled with love, knowing we have lived a meaningful life.

Reading #6

September 12, 2016

Silence was an act of true politeness and it was regard full of the rule that you should think before you speak.

You should always think before you speak. There can be moments when you just want to blurt something out but those words might be hurtful to another. It's best to think about what you're going to say and choose your words wisely. Words carry great power, they can build nations but they can also make cuts. Silence is a gift because it allows us to focus on our thoughts and words. Silence should be used to our advantage, not as our downfall.

Reading #5

September 9, 2016

Tell the truth.

Being seen as an honest person is extremely important. It not only shows that we are upfront, but that we are worthy of trust. Lies, big and small, only create problems. It's better to say the truth then hide behind a wall of lies. As the old saying goes, "the truth will set you free," and I firmly believe that in saying the truth there is strength. Anyone can spout lies, but only those who acknowledge the truth and its power can step up and tell speak with honesty no matter the consequence.

Reading #4

September 8, 2016

The Lokata was a lover of nature and the world. He loved everything that came from the earth. As he grew, he learned to love nature even more. They lie on the ground and they feel closer to the earth and connected to it.

We are made of the world around us. There was a once a time when the particles that made up our bodies were a part of the cosmos. We live our lives on this earth and we return to the earth when we're buried in the ground. I can understand the feeling of just sitting in the grass and feeling the earth under my back. The crisp air whispering across my skin, the grass is a bed under my body, and the sky is a canvas made of deep blues. We are connected to the earth and some people forget to enjoy the beauty that is right outside our door, all you have to do is get up and embrace it.

Reading #3

August 31, 2016

In a world where man is alone and there are no animals, we are lonely.

I agree with this statement because I'm a lover of all different types of animals both big and small. I have two dogs and a cat and I can say without them I would be extremely lonely. What good is a world if we can't enjoy the creatures that are meant to roam it? God created the animals in the very beginning and they served as a companion to man, so if we ever lost that companionship who would be?

Reading #2

August 30, 2016

It's thought to be great to be born with a kingdom and power, but it's much better to be born with just the earth around us. This is superior to castles made of gold and marble. The forest will shelter me and the sky will be my canopy. The kingdoms will fall but nature will always live on.

This passage tells us that castles and great wealth don't even come close to the nature that's around us. I agree with this because nature has been on this earth long before man claimed that it's his kingdom. Nature is superior to man, and we take it who granted. Nature is always giving to the people and that tends to be forgotten. The day will come when the trace of man is whipped from the earth and all that will be left is the trees, animals, and the oceans. The world will return to its natural beauty.

Reading #1

August 29, 2016 - Reading #1

1. Paraphrase the reading.
Everything is connected and whatever happens to the earth, happens to the people on earth.

2. Write at least 4 sentences that explain reaction to/thoughts about reading. Do you agree or disagree? Why is the message important? How will this message change you?
I agree with this passage because I believe we're all connected to one another. We all live and breathe the same air and whenever something happens in the world, good or bad, we feel it. Someone could be a continent away, yet if some sort of disaster strikes, we mourn with them and feel their pain. This message changed me because it reminds me of my roots and where we all come from.