From which Native American tradition is this story about the First Warrior and the Great Spirit (see details)

Asked by Strauss (23835

) July 16th, 2013

I was watching Longmire. At the end, (at about 40:00), Henry Standing Bear is having a conversation with 80 year-old Ada Black Kettle about keeping a secret. She assures him that he need not worry; then asks him, “What did the first warrior say to the Great Spirit?”

Standing Bear replies:

The First Warrior looked out on the land that was his home. He saw the hills, and the stars, and he was happy. for giving him this hime, the First Warrior told the Great Spirit that he would fight and win many battles in His honor. but the Great spirit said, “No. Do not fight for me. fight for your tribe. fight for the family born to you. Fight for the brothers you find. Fight for them,” the Great Spirit said, “for they are your home.”

This story was beautifully interpreted by Lou Diamond Phillips in his role as Henry Standing Bear; and in the context of the episode, it is a very moving scene.

I was wondering, is this tale actually from a Native American tradition? If so, which one? Or perhaps it is a combination of several?

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2 Answers

A google search turned up your question and a site by an Oklalhoma Native American with this response to the same queation:

“Hi, Joe – I hope someone else helps my hypothesis out, but I’ll do my best. As you may know, we have one of the highest per capita populations of American Indians here in Oklahoma. I grew up next to a Cherokee family, have interviewed Poncas and Otoe-Missourias for my research projects, and have friends who are Chickasaws and Commanches. My best guess is that the quote reifies what every Native American knows – that “the tribe” is the great source of power and identity from which they can draw…that collectivism and human connection is always the greater frame for life than individualism, and that loyalty is one of the truest defining attributes of love. ~ RDK”

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janbb (63257

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