Excellent point. Sometime it really helps to know where the original source springs from...
Things written forty years ago sometimes take on a life of their own because no one goes far enough back to check the story. They just take the written word as fact when it never actually was. One drop of misinformation or even intentional disinformation goes a very long way and lasts for years.
Linda
I can't disagree that these are good words, especially in troubled times when good words warm the heart, but as mentioned the origins are rather obscure to me and probably other NDN people as well. Personally I don't think these commandments were listed and observed by all nations, tribes and bands in the pre-European contact days.
First off, among all the many different nations, tribes and bands of what is now America there was no common native belief of a single deity known as the great spirit. Some of the people or tribes perhaps, but not all being mostly primitive animists.
Second? I can't imagine a Cheyenne or Lakota warrior of say 1833 having all that much respect for a Skidi Pawnee.
Third? A captured and wounded Susquehannock of say 1645 could expect little assistance or kindness from the Haudenosaunee who were all gathered to watch him or her slowly tortured to death. Yet upon the first night of entering the Haudenosaunee village, some captured warriors feasted and engaged in friendly conversation with his captors.
Forth? Many natives prided themselves in being great liars and thieves, but mostly outside of their own nation, tribe or band.
Fifth? Yes, especially when it involves the welfare of nation, tribe, band, family and friends.
Sixth? One would expect any clear thinking person regardless of who they are to look after both mind and body.
Seventh? Why yes as she is the mother. In the pre-contact days we had no concept of being disrespectful to the mother.
Eighth? I suppose, but know we are moved and swayed by the spirits as well as forces that are greater than us. Speaking from my own band.
Ninth? Yes but not for those considered as adversaries.
Tenth? Refer to the ninth. The greater good of say 18th century Comanche people would mean driving both the Lipan Apache and Mexican settlers out of what is now Texas, killing or capturing as many as they could in the process.
I base this information on various tribal oral traditions as well as historic accounts regarding a people who had no concept of a common set of commandments that for some reason equal in number to the biblical ten commandments.
NDNs are people too and we being from many nations, tribes and bands would probably follow those Native American 10 commandments as well as all the people from the various branches of Judeo-Christian faiths follow theirs.
Perhaps they were written by either a non-NDN person or else a more recent NDN who was blending spiritual beliefs, but if that’s the case this person’s identity still remains a mystery.