Chief Seattle: "What happens to the earth, happens to the children of the earth. Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves."
Many of the indigenous cultures described in part one of Original Instructions are intimately connected with the land. Therefore, whatever they do to the earth, they're also doing to themselves and their children. I think this is a good way to look at our planet and its resources because if we don't look at the damage we do to the land as damage we do to our children, we will continue treating the land like we do. But if we see ourselves as part of the land, we will treat the land better.
I thought it was surprising how helpful indigenous peoples have been for us, without them receiving much, if any credit. For example, many early drugs were derived from indigenous knowledge. Also, I never learned that the Oneidas cooked corn for the patriots, which was significant in these troops continuing to fight. We have already taken advantage of indigenous knowledge in times like these in the past. I think we need to continue looking at indigenous knowledge to get a better understanding of how we should interact with our world. If we live by some of the principles indigenous peoples have, such as giving back to the planet when we take something from it, I think it would be very beneficial to our planet, and therefore future generations.
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