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Culture is born from beliefs and traditions that draw people together with a sense of "oneness" through the unity of family, clan, and tribe. Traditional American Indians in earlier years focused on the tribe first, the clan second, and the family third in terms of importance and duty. "It was just one of those things you understood in growing up: our tribe come first and the individual came last. That was the way we survived."
Centrlity of Family
In Native American culture "family" extends well beyond one's immediate relatives to extended family relatives, members of one's clan, members of the community, all living creatures in this world, nature as a whole, and the universe itself.
Traditional beliefs allow us to think that "being Indian" is not about the blood that flows in your veins, but how you live in a cultural and traditional way in respecting sacredness of the American Indian way of life.
Traditionally, it is the primary responsibility of the grandparents to raise the children, and that of the parents to provide economic support. Child rearing is thought to encompass too important a responsibility for young parents, who are, in the eyes of the elders, not yet wise enough to handle such an important task.
Leadership
Leadership is nurtured by focusing on self-mastery, inner strength, and the development of individual abilities. Kindness, generosity, autonomy, non-interference, and sharing are all ideals held in high reverence by Native American culture.
Through guidance offered by elders, appropriate ways of acting and interacting are handed down through stories and sacred rituals that reveal the secrets to a Native American way of life. This lifestyle is grounded in the practice of harmony within oneself, with others, and with one's surroundings.
Traditionally, decisions by the Native American group involve the holding of discussions until a consensus can be reached; only then will action be taken. In this way no one's thoughts are overlooked, and a leader is only as strong as the cooperation among his or her people.
Principle of Non-Interference
The highest form of respect for another person is respecting his or her natural right to self-determination. This means not interfering(unless asked to do so) with another person's ability to choose, even when it is to keep that person from doing something foolish or dangerous. Non-interference means caring in a respectful way.
It is Native American tradition to walk away from conflict. Patience and restraint are taught traditionally. This respect includes nature as well.
Purpose of Life
Native Americans believe that every life is a gift to be treated with gratitude and respect. Within the Native American tradition it is widely believed that every person has a purpose to fulfill during his or her lifetime.
Traditional wisdom tells us that it is our purpose to face the world with courage in our hearts. There is an old saying, "All that moves is sacred - only by understanding this can you realize the rhytum of Mother Earth, and thereby know how to place your feet.
