Indigenous Proverbs to Guide and Inspire Young People
Indigenous proverbs carry deep wisdom that can guide young people in positive ways. These timeless words inspire unity, resilience, and responsibility. By sharing these teachings, youth workers can help young people develop strong values.
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November. And the theme for 2024 is "Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership, Service." As a youth worker, you have the unique opportunity to intentionally incorporate Native heritage and wisdom to positively influence young people.
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Indigenous proverbs foster unity and connection
The Shawnee proverb, "We are all one child spinning through Mother Sky," reminds us of our shared humanity and connection to one another. It teaches us that kindness and empathy are fundamental in building strong communities. When young people understand that their actions affect others, they learn to act with respect and compassion. Here are a few ways you can foster more unity in young people.
- Encourage Teamwork: Plan group activities that require collaboration. This helps young people value each other’s strengths and work toward common goals.
- Celebrate Diversity: Create an environment where everyone feels like they belong by celebrating different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
- Promote Open Communication: Foster a space where young people can openly share their ideas and feelings. And encourage them to actively listen to each other.
Develop responsibility and leadership qualities
The importance of responsibility and leaving a positive legacy is a central theme in many Indigenous proverbs. The Dakota saying, "We will be known forever by the tracks we leave," emphasizes that our choices leave lasting impressions on the world and others. So, it helps young people think about how they want to be remembered. And inspires them to make choices aligned with their values. Here are a few ideas to help develop responsibility in young people.
- Assign Meaningful Roles: Give young people age-appropriate responsibilities, such as organizing a group activity or caring for shared supplies. This empowers them to take ownership and pride in their tasks.
- Encourage Accountability: Foster a culture of accountability by guiding young people to reflect on their choices and outcomes.
- Model Responsible Behavior: Demonstrate responsibility through your own actions. Show up consistently, follow through on commitments, and share personal examples to reinforce the value of responsibility.
Inspire hope and resilience
Indigenous proverbs are also infused with essences of hope, survival, and resilience. The Lakota saying, "A warrior’s greatest strength is not the weapons he wields but the heart that beats within him,” emphasizes the importance of inner strength and resilience. It teaches young people that true courage is found in their ability to love, hope, and persevere, even in dark times. Especially in dark times.
Ways to build resilience and hope:
- Encourage a Growth Mindset: Teach young people that setbacks are a natural part of growth. Help them view challenges as learning opportunities.
- Provide Consistent Support: Create a safe, supportive environment where young people feel valued. Celebrating their progress, big or small, reinforces their belief in their potential.
- Share Stories of Resilience: Share examples of individuals or communities, including your own experiences, of overcoming adversity. These stories show young people that resilience is possible and that they, too, can overcome challenges.
Indigenous proverbs offer timeless lessons that encourage young people to live with purpose, kindness, humility, and integrity. By sharing these insights, youth workers can inspire the next generation to embrace their potential and make a positive difference in the future.
The Passionate Youth Worker podcast has a wonderful episode featuring Ta'Shena Sams. She shares how she honors her Native teachings and culture in her work with young people. Tune into “Aambe Kinoomaadidaa – Come Let’s Work Together, Come Let’s Teach Each Other” and be ready to be inspired!
About the author
Yedidya Erque is the operations associate of the Youth Intervention Programs Association (YIPA), a non-profit association of youth-serving organizations. We're your source for exceptional, affordable, personal and professional online learning via The Professional Youth Worker. Join us!
To ask Yedidya a question or share your feedback about this blog, email yedidya@yipa.org.
