Quotes from Charles Eastman

The clan is nothing more than a larger family, with its patriarchal chief as the natural head, and the union of several clans by intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe.

Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life.

That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity.

The family was not only the social unit, but also the unit of government.

Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful spirit, deed names, birth names, or such as have a religious and symbolic meaning.

No one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we are a polite people.

More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material.

Every act of his life is, in a very real sense, a religious act.

The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity.

At the age of about eight years, if he is a boy, she turns him over to his father for more Spartan training.

The clan is nothing more than a larger family, with its patriarchal chief as the natural head, and the union of several clans by intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe.

The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand.

In every religion there is an element of the supernatural, varying with the influence of pure reason over its devotees.

There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature.

More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material.

The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church.

That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity.

There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us, while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was regarded as in itself mysterious and holy.

Nearness to nature... keeps the spirit sensitive to impressions not commonly felt and in touch with the unseen powers.

Among us all men were created sons of God and stood erect, as conscious of their divinity.

It has been said that the position of woman is the test of civilization, and that of our women was secure. In them was vested our standard of morals and the purity of our blood.