Walking Buffalo
(Page 2 of 3)
"I'll tell you what I think. We were on better terms
with the Great Spirit before the white man came than we
were after he confused us by attempting to frighten its
into joining his churches. As devil worshippers, they said
we were heading right down the road to hell. Frighten us?
Who wouldn't be frightened if they were told they'd burn in
a lake of fire forever if they didn't accept certain
teachings. The white man meant well. Many of the
missionaries were my friends, but they underestimated the
Indian faith when they used fear to make us change. There
is no such thing as hell to our native religion, and we can
never imagine the Great Spirit choosing to inflict
everlasting torture on man as a punishment.
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"As I understand nature's ruler, he would not restrict
the truth to a few favoured humans, allowing the others to
remain in eternal darkness. If the Great Spirit is prepared
to reveal secrets of importance to people, he will give all
humans in all lands an equal chance of getting that
enlightenment.
"My people have been searching for the truth for
generations, and they continue to find it. All races of
people have conducted such searches. Perhaps that explains
why nearly all the world's religions have points in common,
like charity forgiveness, and belief in life after
death.
"Crowfoot of the Blackfeet tribe was a thinker, as
everyone agrees, but he never gave up his native religion.
They coaxed him, but he held on to his own beliefs. The old
chief didn't ridicule your religion and its teachers, but
his own faith brought him enough satisfaction and comfort.
The same could be said about Piapot. For years he was under
pressure to change. He didn't try to convert white men to
his religion, but he hated bigotry and he had no time for
people who contended that the white man's religion was
inspired by the Creator but the Indian's was not. Who do
they suppose inspired the Indian's religion?"
At 87 years of age in London, England, he said: "It's
not right raising kids so far from nature. I suppose your
boys and girls have never seen pussy willows, robins
building nests, or grass covered hills. This pavement is
fine for cars, but it is hard medicine for children.
"Hills are always more beautiful than stone buildings,
you know. Living in a city is an artificial existence. Lots
of people hardly ever feel real soil under their feet, see
plants grow except in flower pots, or get far enough beyond
the street lights to catch the enchantment of a night sky
studded with stars. When people live far from scenes of the
Great Spirit's making, it's easy for them to forget his
laws. "
