Letter from Leonard Peltier on Anniversary of Incident at Oglala

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Also I want to say, that you can do all the right things day after day, year in and year out and still bad things can happen. But if you have a clear mind, and have developed your own self-discipline in knowing who you are, you can take these bad things as challenges and use them to make yourself stronger and your people stronger and prevent them from happening to yourself or to others that you care about. And I want to say again, especially for the young people, that one of the most important things you can learn that most of our ceremonies are based on is developing your personal self-discipline. And learning to take responsibility for yourself and your future and taking care of your health, is the greatest gift you have on this earth at this time. And the most important thing that would enhance all your lives in making it stronger and better is to develop personal relationship with the Creator. Don't let it be based on some other person's approach to spirituality but find the things that work for you.

Our teachings have always shown us how to find our own vision through prayer and fasting and sacrifice. These things help bring forth the elements of our spirit and make us stronger and help us face the challenges of life. I hope that in hearing my words some of you if not all, will be inspired in a good way. My greatest hope is that you will think about these things and apply them to your life as you find the truth of them. And sometimes I know we have to return to what we said, maybe have someone speak it to us again or read it again, but whatever happens I sincerely pray and hope that all our lives will be better and for the better and not just for our people but for all people. Because our way is not just another way of life, it is THE way of life. It is life seeking life, it is life protecting life, it is living in such a way that all things are reborn every Spring.

I'll close for now, thank you for your time, thank you for listening, remember the sacrifices of those who lived and died for you. Remember Joe Stuntz, and all the others who gave their lives, as I know you do, I would love to be with you now, today, and know that in my heart I am, in my heart I stand next to you. May the Creator bless you always in all ways.

Your relative,

Leonard Peltier

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posted June 29, 2012 10:45 am edt