365 Days Of Walking The Red Road

1. Honor the Great Spirit in All Creation

Every element of creation expresses the Creator. Within each mountain, each stone, and each heart lies the Great Spirit.

Interconnectedness of all things. Native American spirituality recognizes the presence of the Great Spirit in every aspect of creation. This belief fosters a deep respect for nature, animals, and fellow humans. It encourages individuals to see the divine in the everyday and to treat all living things with reverence.

Manifestations of the Creator:

• Mountains and stones
• Plants and animals
• Natural phenomena (wind, rain, sunsets)
• Human beings

By acknowledging the Great Spirit in all things, Native Americans cultivate a sense of unity with the world around them and strive to live in harmony with creation.

2. Walk the Red Road: A Path of Balance and Virtue

When one walks the Red Road, one is living within the rules of the Creator, living a life of truth, friendship, respect, spirituality, and humanitarianism.

The Red Road philosophy. This concept represents a virtuous way of life that aligns with the Creator's intentions. It emphasizes balance, ethical behavior, and spiritual growth. Walking the Red Road involves:

• Practicing honesty and integrity
• Showing respect for all beings
• Cultivating spirituality and connection to the divine
• Helping others and contributing to the community

By following this path, individuals strive to live in harmony with themselves, others, and the natural world. The Red Road is not just a set of rules but a holistic approach to life that promotes personal growth and communal well-being.

3. Respect Mother Earth and All Living Beings

We believed in one God, the Great Spirit. We believed in our own kind of Ten Commandments. And we behaved as though we believed in them.

Environmental stewardship. Native American traditions emphasize a deep respect for Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. This reverence is rooted in the belief that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. Key aspects include:

• Treating the land, water, and air as sacred
• Using resources sustainably and without waste
• Honoring the spirits of plants and animals
• Recognizing the interconnectedness of all living things

This worldview promotes a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment, encouraging people to be mindful of their impact on the Earth and to live in balance with nature.

4. Embrace Tribal Wisdom and Ancestral Teachings

Training began with children who were taught to sit still and enjoy it. They were taught to use their organs of smell, to look when there was apparently nothing to see, and to listen intently when all seemingly was quiet.

Passing down knowledge. Native American cultures place great importance on preserving and transmitting ancestral wisdom. This process involves:

• Oral traditions: Stories, songs, and legends
• Practical skills: Hunting, gathering, crafting
• Spiritual practices: Ceremonies and rituals
• Ethical teachings: Community values and moral guidelines

By embracing these teachings, each generation maintains a connection to their heritage and ensures the survival of their cultural identity. This wisdom often contains valuable insights about living in harmony with nature and maintaining strong communities.

5. Cultivate Inner Peace and Spiritual Connection

Peace . . . comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the Universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

Spiritual awareness. Native American spirituality emphasizes the importance of inner peace and connection to the divine. This involves:

• Recognizing one's place in the universe
• Developing a personal relationship with the Great Spirit
• Practicing meditation and prayer
• Participating in sacred ceremonies

By cultivating this inner peace and spiritual connection, individuals can find strength, guidance, and purpose in their lives. This spiritual awareness also fosters a sense of unity with all creation and promotes harmonious relationships with others.

6. Practice Forgiveness and Reject Materialism

When one is materialistic, one is not right with the Red Road. To value and appreciate what you have and to know that you are loved and safe under the limbs of the Tree of Life is to reject materialism and to live a life of virtue and appreciation.

Spiritual wealth over material possessions. Native American teachings emphasize the importance of forgiveness and rejecting materialism. This perspective encourages:

• Focusing on spiritual and emotional fulfillment
• Valuing relationships and experiences over possessions
• Practicing gratitude for what one has
• Letting go of grudges and resentments

By embracing forgiveness and rejecting materialism, individuals can free themselves from negative emotions and the burden of excess possessions. This approach promotes a simpler, more fulfilled life centered on spiritual growth and meaningful connections.

7. Nurture Community and Family Bonds

If you have one hundred people who live together, and if each one cares for the rest, there is one mind.

Collective harmony. Native American cultures place great emphasis on strong community and family ties. This focus on collective well-being involves:

• Shared responsibility for raising children
• Respect for elders and their wisdom
• Cooperation in daily tasks and decision-making
• Support for one another in times of need

By nurturing these bonds, communities become more resilient and individuals find a sense of belonging and purpose. This communal approach to life ensures that everyone is cared for and that traditional knowledge and values are passed down through generations.

8. Preserve Native American Heritage and Identity

We must truly honor what is past, when we seek in our changed conditions to attain the same proficiency that our fathers showed in their day and in their lives.

Cultural preservation. Maintaining Native American heritage and identity is crucial in the face of modernization and cultural assimilation. This involves:

• Practicing traditional ceremonies and rituals
• Learning and speaking Native languages
• Creating and appreciating Native art forms
• Studying tribal history and ancestral ways

By preserving their cultural heritage, Native Americans maintain a strong sense of identity and connection to their ancestors. This preservation also ensures that valuable traditional knowledge and perspectives are not lost to future generations.

9. Seek Wisdom Through Nature and Experience

Listen to all the teachers in the woods. Watch the trees, the animals and all living things—you'll learn more from them than from books.

Nature as a teacher. Native American traditions emphasize the importance of learning from nature and personal experience. This approach to wisdom includes:

• Observing natural cycles and patterns
• Learning from animal behaviors and instincts
• Gaining insights through vision quests and solitude in nature
• Valuing experiential knowledge over abstract learning

By seeking wisdom through nature and experience, individuals develop a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. This approach fosters a more intuitive and holistic way of knowing that complements academic learning.

10. Live with Courage, Honesty, and Integrity

One has to face fear or forever run from it.

Ethical living. Native American teachings emphasize the importance of living with courage, honesty, and integrity. This involves:

• Facing challenges and fears head-on
• Speaking truthfully and keeping one's word
• Taking responsibility for one's actions
• Standing up for what is right, even in difficult situations

By embodying these values, individuals build trust within their communities and develop strong personal character. This ethical approach to life promotes harmony and respect in social interactions and helps individuals navigate life's challenges with dignity.

11. Honor Children as Gifts from the Creator

It is strictly believed and understood by the Sioux that a child is the greatest gift from Wakan Tanka in response to many devout prayers, sacrifices, and promises.

Reverence for the next generation. Native American cultures place great importance on children as gifts from the Creator. This perspective influences child-rearing practices and community attitudes:

• Treating children with respect and patience
• Involving children in community life and traditions
• Teaching values and skills through example and storytelling
• Recognizing each child's unique gifts and potential

By honoring children as sacred gifts, communities ensure the continuation of their culture and values. This approach fosters a nurturing environment where children can grow into balanced, respectful adults who will carry on the traditions of their people.

Last updated: November 24, 2024