Charles Eastman

In every religion there is an element of the supernatural, varying with the influence of pure reason over its devotees.

The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church.

The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand.

More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material.

There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature.

There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us, while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was regarded as in itself mysterious and holy.

Friendship is held to be the severest test of character.

The clan is nothing more than a larger family, with its patriarchal chief as the natural head, and the union of several clans by intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe.

That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity.