The Indians Book - An Offering by the American Indians of Indian Lore, Musical and Narrative, to Form a Record of the Songs and Legends of Their Race #229529

Once, only Indians lived in this land. Then came strangers from across the Great Water. No land had they; we gave them of our land. No food had they; we gave them of our corn. The strangers are become many and they fill all the country. They dig gold — from my mountains; they build houses — of the trees of my forests; they rear cities — of my stones and rocks; they make fine garments — from the hides and wool of animals that eat my grass. None of the things that make their riches did they bring with them from beyond the Great Water; all comes from my land, the land the Great Mystery gave unto the Indian. And when I think upon this I know that it is right, even thus. In the heart of the great Mystery it was meant that stranger — visitors — my friends across the Great Water — should come to my land; that I should bid them welcome; that all men should sit down with me and eat together of my corn. It was meant by the Great Mystery that the Indian should give to all peoples.