Valued Land

Essay by yola21High School, 11th grade October 2004

download word file, 2 pages 5.0

Valued Land

Some people call them Native Americans others Indians no matter which name is used they both represent one people. They can also be called the caretakers of the earth, which is a very precious resource. Native American societies are very respectful towards mother earth and do not abuse the land. When the white man arrived where there were Native Americans they completely when against everything the Indians believed in. The white settlers had no respect for the land and did what ever they felt fit. Indians are very close to the land and have a tremendous amount of respect for it unlike the white man who just destroys everything for sport. Native American societies did not wish to buy or sell land because the land belongs to Mother Spirit not any person, the land is family to them, and because they believed you only use what you need.

Indians were taught to never think of the land as a piece of property to be bought and sold between people. How can you sell something that does not belong to you? " No tribe has the right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers.... Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth? Didn't the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children?" From the time they were young children they were told to treat the earth with great respect. The Great Spirit gave them the land so they could live off of and there is enough for everyone to live peacefully. When someone gives a gift that gift should be treasured and taken care of. If it is not then it will start to wear away and soon it will be worth nothing. This was...