Chamblee54

Do what you know to be right
Remain close to the Great Spirit
Be truthful and honest at all times
Take full responsibility for your actions
Show great respect for your fellow beings
Look after the well-being of Mind and Body
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good
Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect
The ten lines above bear the label “The Indian Ten Commandments”. Set in florid calligraphy, resting before a beautiful background, these ten lines adorn facebook pages, dorm rooms, and new age parlors from one great water to the other.
No one seems to know what tribe spawned them, or what hand put them into english words. There are, and have been, hundreds of tribes in North America. Each tribe has its own culture. It is possible that some tribes don’t value some of the thoughts expressed in TITC. It is also possible that some claim to believe, and then do the direct opposite. People do that sometimes.
Now, TITC are all good ideas. Compared to the Abrahamic TC, it looks even better. There is no jealous G-d wreaking havoc on the great great grandchildren of those who fell out of favor. We all know how well Jesus worshipers keep those commandments.
There is an unfortunate tendency among the Eurasian/African people to think of the tribal people as the noble savage. They were living in splendid harmony with nature, until the Europeans came and spoiled everything. This ignores the reality that these tribes were full of humans. They were not always nice people. Living in harmony with nature can be a struggle, and sometimes you need to get mean. To credit this population with a pretty list of “Ten Commandments” is just a wee bit insulting. It violates at least two of TITC… “Show great respect for your fellow beings” and “Take full responsibility for your actions”.
If you want to live in harmony with G-d, man, and the earth, you just do it. You don’t need a pretty poster to tell you how. It would help to respect the original Americans.
Pictures are from “The Special Collections and Archives,Georgia State University Library”. Part one was written like George Orwell. Part two is a repost. Part two was written like H.P. Lovecraft. Today is the 122nd anniversary of his birth.

There is a bit of creativity floating around called “The native american code of ethics”. If you google that phrase, there are 329k ways to read this list, many suitable for framing. PG is not opposed to people sharing nuggets of wisdom, but is just a touch skeptical of this latest development.
The version of NACE cited above says the list was originally published in the October 1994 edition of Intertribal Times. A google search of the site shows no trace of the NACE. However, it does show a recent article, about an effort in the Montana legislature to adopt the cowboy “Code of the west” as an official state creed.
The legal effort is a bit of Republican showboating, and is likely to be vetoed if it gets passed. Contrary to initial reports, the code does not contain the phrase “The only good Indian is a dead Indian”. The code does say ““Ride for the brand,” “Talk less and say more” ,“Always finish what you start ”,“Live each day with courage,” “Take pride in your work,” “Do what has to be done,” “Be tough but fair,” “When you make a promise, keep it,” and “Remember that some things aren’t for sale.”
Getting back to NACE, there are some good ideas there, but why are they specific to Native Americans? When the Europeans conquered the Americas, there were hundreds of individual tribes. Many of these had little in common with each other. While some may have agreed with some of these rules, it is doubtful that all agreed with all. That does not even consider the issue of whether they practiced these ideals, especially in times of war and hardship.
Item 5 of this list says “Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. If it was not earned or given, it is not yours.” Even if the NACE is the real deal, what right do non native Americans have to print pretty posters of it?
The different peoples of North America have long been “the other”. During the 19th century, the Northeast quadrant of the United States gained hegemony over the country, first in the War Between The States, and later during the “Indian Wars” of the west. The mostly European population did not respect people different from them. Today, this is seen with embarrassment, and the “Native American” is seen as a mythical Mr. Natural. This view is probably just as unreal as the Indians killing cowboys in the movies. (Native American is a phrase coined by import Americans.)
The “otherness” of the original americans continues today. Many of the poor people from Mexico that come to the United States are original americans. Maybe the name of this list should be “Illegal Alien Code Of Ethics”.
1. Rise with the Sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.
2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path.
Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you.
It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration.
Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.
5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. If it was not earned or given, it is not yours.
6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth – whether it be people or plant.
7. Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words.
Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them.
Allow each person the right to personal expression.
8. Never speak of others in a bad way.
The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.
12. Children are the seeds of our future.
Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons.
When they are grown, give them space to grow.
13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of one’s will.
15. Keep yourself balanced.
Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self –
All need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind.
Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react.
Be responsible for your own actions.
17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others.
Do not touch the personal property of others – especially sacred and religious objects.
This is forbidden.
18. Be true to yourself first.
You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.