A source of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration
Indigenous cultures have been around for thousands of years.
These ancient cultures have been able to survive due to their deep connection with the earth and respect for all living creatures.
They know the land and how to live in harmony with nature.
This makes them a great source of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration.
Here are 20 indigenous quotes that remind us to protect mother earth:
«The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. » — Chief Seattle
«I only hope that in some small way my voice can make our people stronger. We must keep fighting to protect our Mother Earth for it is where we live and from where we get our strength » — Shain Jackson, Poet
« The heart is your center, being from your center outward. » — Anishinaabe Proverb
« If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you, and you will know each other. If you do not…you will only know your own kind » — Black Elk (1863–1950)
« Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself”- Chief Seattle
« We need to look at it as a place where we belong. » — Wayne Kelly
« Whatsoever passeth over the Earth and whatsoever existeth therein for Its use, yet doth not belong unto the Earth »- Chief Seattle
« The mountains are high and the Earth is just as wide. My family lives all around the world. I must learn all that I can, so that I may share it with my family » — Little Big Mouse
« The Earth has received the embrace of the sun and we will see the results of that love affair in due course. Already we can see the difference it is making even in a few years. We are all doing our best to care for her » –Chief Seattle
« May the four winds blow you safely home » — Ancient Native American Blessing
« We are all part of Mother Earth. She sustains us and we must sustain her in return » – Chief Dan George
« My people’s prayer is that we may continue to walk upon this Earth, which is very dear to us, and sacred » — Shain Jackson, Poet
« The eagle has brought the message to the tribe. Today I bring you this message. The Earth can teach us much if we listen with our heart » — Shain Jackson, Poet
« I am a part of everything I see. » — Black Elk
« To us, the Earth was an extended family. We were born from it and into it we will return » — Lame Deer, Sioux holy man
« When I came to this world I did not come alone, but with my relations. Wherever they may be, under whichever sky they have lived and died, I must help them. The aged that totter on the verge of the grave, the little children and the youths — we must heal their pain and wipe away their tears » — Lame Deer, Sioux holy man
« The land is our mother; it is part of us just as we are part of it. What happens to the land, happens to us. We take only what we need from the Earth and endeavor, in return, to understand its mysteries; to appreciate it’s beauty; and to ensure that it will be here for our children » — Lame Deer, Sioux holy man
« I watched you take the air, the rain, and the sunshine; and send it away to some unknown place. And then I got mad » — Flower-in-the-Night, Princess of the Okefenokee Swamp
« We are made of the same flesh as the Earth and sky…we are dust of the land…dust of the stars. The people of other nations look upon us as a part of nature, and we should learn from their wisdom » — Little Big Mouse
« We don’t inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children — Ancient Native American Proverb »
The power of these Indigenous quotes reminds us that the need to protect mother Earth is timeless and universal.
From Chief Seattle’s quote about how man does not own the land because he only borrows it for his children; to Wiskadak, Thunderbird God’s warning, “I watched you take the air, the rain, and the sunshine; and send it away to some unknown place.”
These messages can be applied across all cultures with one simple understanding: we live on this planet together so let’s do what we can to keep her safe and protected for the generations that will come after us.
It is about our legacy. It is about family and love.