WHAT NATURE IS ABOUT

I was born in Nature’s wide domain! The trees were all that sheltered my infant limbs, the blue heavens all that covered me; I am one of Nature’s children. I have always admired her; she shall be my glory; her features, her robes, and the wreath about her bow, the season, her stately Oaks, and the evergreens- her hair, ringlets of earth- all contribute to my enduring love of her.

And wherever I see her, emotions of pleasure roll in my breast, and swell and burst like waves on the shores of the ocean, in prayer and praise to Him who has placed me in her hand, It is thought great to be born in places, surrounded with wealth- but to be born in Nature’s wide domain is greater still!

George Copway (Kahgegagahbowh)- Ojibwe

Badlands

Black Hills

Kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky and water was a real and active principle. For the animal and birds world existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them and so close did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue.

The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man’s heart away from nature becomes hard:he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too.

Chief Luther Standing Bear

Yellowstone

When i was ten years old I looked at the land and the rivers,the sky above, the animals around me and could not fail to realize that they were made by some great power. I was so anxious to understand this power that I questioned the trees and the bushes. It seemed as through the flowers were staring at me, and I wanted to ask them “who made you?” I looked at the moss covered stones; some of them seemed to have the features of a man , but they could not answer me.Then I had a dream, and in my dream one of these small round stones appeared to me and told me that the the maker of all was Wakan tanka, and that in order to honor him I must must honor his works in nature.

Tatanka-ohitika or Brave Buffalo

Wetlands,  Waterfall and Creek

Everything on earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence….

Mourning Dove (Salish) 1888-1936

Niagara Falls

I would much more glory in the birthplace, with the board canopy of heaven above me, and the giant arms of the forest trees for my shelter, then to be born in placeless of marble, studded with pillars of gold! Nature will be Nature still, while palaces shall decay and fall in ruins.

Yes Niagara will be Niagara a thousand years hence! The rainbow, a wreath over her brow, shall continue as long as the sun and the flowering of the river- while the work of art, however carefully protected and preserved, shall fade and crumble into dust!

George Copway (Kahgegagahbowh)- Ojibwe