this is what I was taught and how I was raised, a proud cherokee descendant...

NATIVE AMERICAN CODE OF ETHICS

Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often.

The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

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Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path.

Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem

from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

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Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others

to make your path for you. It is your road, and

yours alone. Others may walk it with you,

but no one can walk it for you.

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Treat the guests in your home with much consideration.

Serve them the best food, give them the best

bed and treat them with respect and honor.

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Do not take what is not yours whether from

a person, a community,the wilderness or from a

culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

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Respect all things that are placed upon

this earth – whether it be people or plant.

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Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words.

Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them.

Allow each person the right to personal expression.

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Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative

energy that you put out into the universe

will multiply when it returns to you.

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All persons make mistakes.

And all mistakes can be forgiven.

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Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind,

body and spirit. Practice optimism.

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Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us.

They are part of your worldly family.

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Children are the seeds of our future. Plant

love in their hearts and water them with

wisdom and life’s lessons. When they

are grown, give them space to grow.

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Avoid hurting the hearts of others.

The poison of your pain will return to you.

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Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the

test of one’s will within this universe.

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Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual

self, Emotional self, and Physical self – all need

to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out

the body to strengthen the mind. Grow

rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

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Make conscious decisions as to who

you will be and how you will react. Be

responsible for your own actions.

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Respect the privacy and personal space of

others. Do not touch the personal property of

others – especially sacred and religious

objects. This is forbidden.

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Be true to yourself first. You cannot

nurture and help others if you cannot

nurture and help yourself first.

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Respect others religious beliefs.

Do not force your belief on others.

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Share your good fortune with others.

Participate in charity.