“The voice of my grandfather said to me, the air is precious. It shares its spirit with all the life it supports. The wind that gave me my first breath also received my last sigh. You must keep the land and air apart and sacred, as a place where one can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.”
These beautiful words were spoken by Chief Seattle, part of a speech he made during negotiations with the U.S. government on behalf of white settlers, “negotiations” where the Native people had basically no say. He was chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indians in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1800s. Even as he and his people were having their land taken from them, he asked that those who would live there after them cherish and take care of that land and water and air.
I am sometimes reminded of Chief Seattle’s words when I’m spending time outdoors. It’s early spring as I write this. Some of the migrating birds have returned and I have the pleasure of seeing them and hearing their songs. In spring there is also the gradually increasing daylight, with the sun rising earlier and setting later. And there is the aroma of budding greenery and flowers. Although I live in an urban area, there is a small lake nearby that has a walking path around it, and I enjoyed taking that walk today. It was a sunny day and it was invigorating to take a brisk walk in the fresh air.
The cloudless blue sky today reminded me of these words from Chief Seattle’s speech: “How can you buy the sky? How can you own the rain and the wind?” For the sky and the rain and the wind and so many other aspects of nature belong to all of us.
Recognizing and valuing our connection to nature add to our wellbeing. Even if we live in urban areas and aren’t able to leave the city very often, we can see the sky and the sun and the clouds—they are a connection to nature too. I’m thankful that many urban planners and decision-makers recognize the importance of having green spaces within cities so those of us living there can walk along tree-lined streets and spend time in parks. We should value our connection to nature of which Chief Seattle spoke so profoundly and do our part to care for these gifts, not only for ourselves but for those who come after us. For he also said, “Preserve the land and the air and the rivers for your children’s children and love it as we have loved it.”