Land Ownership- A History Lesson

[Lilly]

The Native American cultures placed immense value on the land and are the original believers in the concept of Mother Earth. Land was so valuable that it was considered sacred to them and could not be owned because it was Mother Earth's gift to all her people. In other words, owning land would be like owning Mother Earth....like owning God. How can anyone own God? (OK...not counting the Jerry Falwell's of the world.)

Land ownership was a concept so foreign to Native American culture that they could not comprehend what they were receiving the baubles for.

For a more eloquent explanation of this concept, here's an expert of a letter that Chief Seattle of the Duwamish tribe wrote in his acceptance of the tribe moving onto a reservation:

"How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?

Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man. So, when the Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land, he asks much of us."

But the Indians "placed immense value" on ALL the land (and sea and sky). It was a totality kind of value. In the case of this deal, from what I understand, the Indians were trading the **use** of certain areas of land for the "baubles and beads." Just like different Indian tribes (through warfare and peaceful agreement) essentially carved out territories which they occupied and USED.

[LovelyLenore]

...but an evironmentalist's nightmare!! Big business restoring the natural beauty. You can bet they wont be using those picures in their propaganda ads!

Think Justo and I make take the car and drive up there this summer.

L Leonore

[Lilly]

The old Cree chief sat in his teepee smoking a ceremonial pipe, eyeing the two Canadian government officials sent to interview him. "Chief Two Eagles," one official began, "you have observed the white man for many generations, you have seen his wars and his products, you have seen all his progress, and all his problems." The chief
nodded. The official continued, "Considering recent events, in your opinion, where has the white man gone wrong?"
The chief stared at the government officials for over a minute, and then calmly replied:
"When white man found this land, Indians were running it. No taxes.
No debt. Plenty buffalo. Plenty beaver. Women did most of the work.
Medicine man free. Indian men hunted and fished all the time." The chief smiled, and added quietly, "White man dumb enough to think he could improve system like that."