Today's Good Words

Good words do not last long unless they amount to something. Words do not pay for my dead people. Words do not pay for my country, now overrun by white men. They do not protect my father's grave. They do not pay for my horses and cattle. Good words will not give me back my children. Good words will not make good the promise of your War Chief. Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves. I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. - Chief Joseph, Nez Perce, 1840-1904

These conditions remain much the same today. Are you listening Barack Obama, Members of Congress, State Governors, State legislators, and Local Leaders? Where are the good leaders of today's world? I suggest they are in your arms, homes and schools of our communities. We need to break the technological chains that bind them to televisions, computer games and cell phones. We need to re-introduce our children to Mother Earth and all her glorious wonder to play and imagine in. Above all, introduce them to the one Creator who loves them and will nourish them if we provide the clean, unbruised environment to explore like we had when the earth was young and its creatures were respected by human beings. Show us our Best in November- Gary Shillingburg, Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan, 2010