Wolves And Native American

"We were not poor people.
We were happy with what we had
and content to take only what we needed."
Our wealth was not measured in gold,
but in rivers that sang through the valleys,
in the buffalo that thundered across the plains,
in the laughter of children beneath open skies.
We were happy with what we had,
for the Earth provided,
and we listened.
The roots gave medicine,
the hunt gave strength,
the fire gave warmth,
and the stars gave wisdom.
We did not hunger for more than enough.
We did not wound the Earth for greed.
We took only what was needed,
leaving the rest as a prayer of gratitude.
To live in balance—
that was our fortune.
To walk with respect—
that was our abundance.
We were not poor,
for we carried richness in our hearts,
in our stories,
in the sacred circle that bound us
to every living thing.
And though the world tried to call us broken,
still we rise,
reminding the winds and the stones:
true wealth is harmony,
and contentment is the greatest treasure of all.

In 1899, a Lakota Sioux woman stood as a keeper of tradition, her spirit woven into the fabric of her people’s ancestral ways. She wore garments hand-stitched from tanned hides, adorned with beads that told stories no paper ever could. Her knowledge—of plants, of the stars, of the sacred songs and ceremonies—was passed from generations before her. She lived through a time of upheaval, when the buffalo were gone, the children were being taken to boarding schools, and the language of her ancestors was under siege. Yet, her strength was quiet and immense, a heartbeat in rhythm with the plains.
Today, a Lakota Sioux woman walks boldly into two worlds. She might wear jeans and speak English, but she also wears beadwork passed down from her grandmother and prays in Lakȟótiyapi, the language once nearly silenced. She could be a lawyer, a teacher, an activist, or an artist—fighting for land rights, cultural revitalization, and the protection of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. She uses smartphones and social media, yes—but also burns sage and sings in the old ways. Her ancestors stand with her every time she speaks her truth.
Though time has shifted the landscape and technology has reshaped daily life, the soul of the Lakota woman remains fierce, resilient, and sacred. Then and now, she is a bridge between worlds—one rooted in survival, the other reaching for revival. In her heart still beats the thunder of horses and the whisper of prairie winds, just as surely as it beats for the future her children will inherit.

Drink water where your horse drinks, a horse will never drink bad water. Make your bed where the cat sleeps peacefully. Eat fruit touched by a worm. It fearlessly collects mushrooms on which insects perch. Plant a tree dug by the mole. Dig a hole where the birds hide from the heat. Sleep and wake up at the same time as the birds, you will reap the golden grains of life. Eat more greens, you will have stronger legs and a resilient heart like the spirit of the forests. Look at the sky more often and talk less so that silence can enter your heart. and your soul is calm and your life is peaceful.

In Cherokee culture, women held significant positions and enjoyed certain privileges and responsibilities.
Women in Cherokee society were considered equals to men and could earn the title of War Women. They had the right to participate in councils and make decisions alongside men. This equality sometimes led outsiders to make derogatory remarks, such as the accusation of a "petticoat government" by the Irish trader Adair.
Clan kinship was matrilineal among the Cherokee, meaning that family lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother's side. Children grew up in their mother's house, and maternal uncles held the role of teaching boys essential skills related to hunting, fishing, and tribal duties.
Women owned houses and their furnishings, and marriages were often negotiated. In the event of a divorce, a woman would simply place her spouse's belongings outside the house. Cherokee women had diverse responsibilities, including caring for children, cooking, tanning skins, weaving baskets, and cultivating fields. Men contributed to some household chores but primarily focused on hunting.
Cherokee girls learned various skills by observing and participating in their community. They learned story, dancing, and acquired knowledge about their heritage. Women were integral to the Cherokee society, and their roles played a central part in the community's functioning and adaptation to changing circumstances.