Tribal Ethics: A Brief History in Quotations

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Tribal Ethics A Brief History in Quotations by
Dr. Erich Longie, President Spirit Lake
Consulting, Inc. www.spiritlakeconsulting.com
Historically, Native Americans were known for
ethical behavior They did not lie they did not
steal they took care of each others needs
(food, clothing, and shelter). Present day Native
Americans proudly point this out to other Indians
and non-Indians alike. George Catlin was an
artist who spent many months living among
different Native American tribes. He wrote this
about Native American Indians
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George Catlins Creed on the Indians Included
These Statements
I love the people who have always made me welcome
with the best they had. I love a people who keep
the commandments without ever having read them or
heard them preached from the pulpit. I love a
people who never swear, who never take the name
of God in vain. I love a people who love their
neighbors as they love themselves. I love the
people who have never raised a hand against me,
or stolen my property, where there was no law to
punish for either. I love all people who do the
best they can. And oh, how I love a people who
dont live for the love of money!
(Catlin, 1973)
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What are Ethics?

• Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary (1995)
  defines ethics as a guiding philosophy, a
  discipline that deals with what is good and bad
  and with moral duty and obligation.
• Andre and Velasquez (1987) state that ethics
  refer to two areas
• Ethics refers to well based standards of right
  and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do,
  usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits
  to society, fairness, or specific virtues
• Ethics also refers to the study and development
  of ones ethical standards. Feelings, laws, and
  social norms can deviate from what is ethical, so
  it is necessary to constantly examine ones
  standards to ensure that they are reasonable and
  well founded.

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In Other Words Ethics are standards of
behavior that a society lives by to ensure the
well being of all members of society. For
example Ethical standards impose reasonable
obligations on individuals to refrain from rape,
stealing, murder, assault, slander, and
fraud. Ethical standards also include virtues
such as honesty, compassion, and loyalty. Ethical
standards also include rights of individuals,
such as the right to life, the right to freedom
from injury, and the right to privacy. (Andre
Velasquez, 1987)
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What Does Leader Mean?
Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary (1995)
defines a leader as a person who has commanding
authority or influence.
How Does a Leader Lead Effectively?
Some of our most effective leaders of the past
shared these common characteristics Caring,
Compassionate, Courageous, Honest, Humble,
Respectful, Served the People Before
Themselves All of these characteristics can be
considered important ethics in our society.
Traditional leaders of the past were not afraid
to stand by these ethics. They also dared to
face reality. They defined underlying problems
of the tribe so those very real problems could be
solved. They served all individuals of the
tribe, not just a select few.
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In preparation for this course, Spirit Lake
Consulting, Inc. (SLC) conducted a broad spectrum
survey of tribal members across four reservations
in two states. This was supplemented by a
nationwide email survey. Respondents were asked
to answer the question List the five most
common major/minor ethical infractions and the
frequency (all the time, once in a while, very
seldom) you believe they occur on Indian
Reservations. All respondents (100 of
respondents) echoed the following
sentiment. Dont get me started. I could not
limit myself to five, . The five most common
infractions respondents listed are shown on the
next slide. An overwhelming majority of
respondents claimed these infractions occurred,
all the time.
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Five Most Common Ethical Infractions

• Selecting relatives for various resources such as
  housing, contracts, scholarships, governing
  boards, land, charity, and education all the
  time.
• Tribal employees need to abide by certain
  policies such as
• Beating up the boss is not allowed.
• Reprimand DUIs (drunk driving is not allowed on
  the job).
• If an employee is fired for any ethical
  infraction, he/she should not be rehired in
  another tribal position for a limited amount of
  time. (The employee would be suspended from
  tribal work for a time.)
• Doing personal tasks while getting paid to work.
• (5) Going to work late, or leaving work early
  (all the time).

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Problem
Many times, when a tribal member tries to bring
law and order (accountability) to tribal
councils, that member is ostracized or called,
white man. Often you hear people say something
like Law and order thats white man ways.
This statement or similar statements are excuses
to avoid accountability in our leadership
today. Law and order are not only white ways.
Any who claim this are ignorant of the ways of
our ancestors. Our ancestors lived by certain
rules and followed certain codes of conduct. If
anyone broke a rule or violated a code of
conduct, that person paid a price. In other
words, accountability is not a white mans idea.
Accountability was part of our lives long before
the white men appeared on the scene.
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Examples of Law and Order among Indian tribes
Before the Influence of European Settlers
Ancient America included over 600 tribes in what
is now known as the United States. Naturally,
all these tribes had their own customs and legal
systems and these systems varied widely.
However, there were some regional similarities.
For example In regards to property Peoples in
the East tended to be matriarchal and communal,
while peoples along the Northwest coast were
oriented more towards individual ownership and
hierarchy. (Johansen, 2007)
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While popularly imagined in the noble savage
tradition, living in societies free of law and
regulation, American Indian cultures actually
created highly refined, complex codes of laws and
social norms that governed peoples conduct
before contact with Europeans. (Johansen,
2007, p. 25)
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Examples of Law and Order among Indian tribes
Before the Influence of European Settlers
Murder A person responsible for the death of
another was usually banished from a tribe for
seven years. Adultery A man caught in adultery
might have his property confiscated. A woman was
usually flogged. Stealing In cases of thievery,
the guilty party was required to make
restitution. That was the only punishment. For
minor infractions the person who violated the
social norms was often ridiculed, publicly. That
was the only punishment. Fighting Adversaries
were compelled to bury their hatchets (and other
weapons). This is where the term, bury the
hatchet, originated. (Johansen, 2007)
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Examples of Law and Order among Indian tribes
Before the Influence of European Settlers
The Hunt - Among the Umoha (Omaha), if anyone
began the hunt early without permission, he might
be flogged for a first offense. A second
offense, and the mans property would be taken,
his tent destroyed, his family reduced to
begging. (Johansen, 2007) Many Native
American legal systems emphasized healing and
maintenance of the social order as opposed to
vengeance that seems prevalent in European type
legal proceedings. (Johansen,
2007) The Cherokees practiced a Harmony Ethic
that de-emphasized interpersonal, or
face-to-face, conflict. (Johansen,
2007)
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Great Leaders of the Past
Indian Leaders of Today often Compare Themselves
to Great Leaders of the Past. Lets Take a Look
at Some of our Great Leaders from the Past. Chief
Joseph Chief Crazy Horse Chief Cochise Chief
Black Hawk Captain Jack Chief Sitting Bull It is
safe to say that all these men were courageous,
honest, fighting men who were responsible for
their people, who served their people before
themselves. They were caring, kind, and
compassionate.
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Ethical Leaders Care About Their People
Chief Joseph became the voice and protector for
his people when they surrendered to the U.S.
military. He could have escaped to Canada, but
he chose to stay and care for his people.
(Nerburn, 2006) Throughout his life, Chief
Crazy Horse was expected to care for the
helpless, a responsibility he took seriously.
He consistently put the welfare of his people
ahead of his own. (Marshall, 2007,
p. 78) At the time of Captain Jack, Chief of the
Modocs Leaders were chosen by merit, and a
leader who failed to heed his people soon found
himself out of a job. (Krol, 2007, p. 54)
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Ethical Leaders are Compassionate
Sitting Bull took in Cheyenne refugees shortly
before the Battle of the Little Bighorn,
providing them with food, clothing, anything they
needed. (Murphy, 1993) Chief Joseph was
a paragon of compassion. His unwillingness to
speak poorly of or do harm to others, no matter
what their race or what they did to him and his
people, made him an icon in the eyes of America.
(Nerburn, 2006, p. 56) Chief Black Hawk
was devoted to his people. He felt grief so
deeply when two of his children died close in
succession, he mourned for two years. An enemy
once spoke of his compassion. Even though this
man had tried to kill Chief Black Hawk, the Chief
spared his life, not once, but twice.
(Ilminen, 2006)
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Ethical Leaders are Courageous
In the past, courage was measure on the
battlefield. For example, Crazy Horse would
often dismount, walk several steps from his
horse, and kneel to take deliberate aim at the
onrushing enemy. That ability to be calm and
collected in the unfettered violence of combat
was complemented by his daring
(Marshall, 2007, p.
77) Courage was also measured by daring Chief
Joseph often spoke to U.S. citizens. He would
travel to address governments, even going to
Washington D. C. to address an assembly of
dignitaries. When he traveled he would dress in
full regalia to draw attention to the plight of
his people. Given the prejudices of the time,
this had to take courage. (Nerburn,
2006)
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Ethical Leaders are Courageous
The courage to act, to put ones energy,
resources, and, if need be, ones life on the
line provides the ultimate test of
leadership. (Murphy, 1993, p. xxxvii)
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Ethical Leaders are Honest
In order for a leader to gain the trust of his
people, he must not lie. Traditional leaders
cared about honor and it was not honorable to
deceive. Leaders were chosen by merit. (Krol,
2007, p. 54) Sitting Bulls contemporaries, both
friends and enemies respected his honesty. In
1876, the Indian people could not afford to
follow a liar, thief, or a faker. (Murphy,
1993) Sitting Bull overcame the temptation to
deny the reality of his situation. He spoke
clearly and truthfully to his people, even if
they did not like what they heard. This built a
trust between Sitting Bull and his people. Chief
Sitting Bull adhered steadfastly to a personal
ethic of honesty. (Murphy, 1993,
p. 25)
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Ethical Leaders are Humble
The first step to power involves denying it for
yourself, subordinating the self-centered urge
for personal gain to the collective benefit.
The greater the need for power, the more a leader
must understand the need for strategic humility.
(Murphy, 1993, p. 51) Strategic humility refers
to immense self-control over selfishness and
arrogance. (Murphy, 1993) Some of our greatest
leaders of the past understood the need for
humility. For example, Crazy Horse, was a quiet
man, shy. His humble and quiet nature drew
people to him as much as his reputation as a
formidable warrior. He always dressed plainly,
never wearing elaborate feathers in his hair and
never bragging. (Marshall, 2007)
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Ethical Leaders are Humble
Sitting Bull knew that arrogance and denial could
hurt a people. He cultivated humility to defeat
self-centered ambition. He pointed out, to his
people, that there were good things about the
white man as well as bad. He counseled his
people that it was okay to emulate the good, but
the bad should be left alone. (Murphy,
1993) Chief Sitting Bull was a great leader, yet,
he lived a simple life, the life of his people,
never looking for special favors or wealth. The
welfare of his people always came first.
(Murphy, 1993)
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Ethical Leaders are Respectful
Chief Joseph had a calm manner even under
pressure, and he was unwilling to speak poorly of
others or do harm to others.
(Nerburn, 2006) Chief Black Hawk honored his
deadliest enemy by dedicating his autobiography
to Brigadier General Henry Atkinson
(Ilminen, 2006, p. 75) Chief Sitting Bull
respected the strengths of his counterparts. He
did not compete with them. Instead, he appealed
to them for help, always showing respect, so much
so, that he banded together several tribes and
defeated Custer at the Battle of the Little
Bighorn. (Murphy, 1993)
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Ethical Leaders are Servants

• Fact . . . the first step on the path to
  leadership is a private one, in which a leader
  solves the great paradox that lies at the heart
  of leadership success that self-fulfillment
  comes from service to others. (Murphy, 1993, p.
  5)
• Self-fulfillment will only occur through service
  to others. A leader who commits to work for the
  common good of his tribe fuses his destiny to
  that of his people. This frees a leader from
  petty ambitions for control or glory.
  (Murphy, 1993)
• Chief Joseph exhibited service to his people when
  he tried again and again to talk to the U. S.
  government about returning his people to their
  homeland. He could have escaped to Canada, but
  he chose to remain with his people. (Nerburn,
  2006)

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Ethical Leaders are Servants
Throughout his life, Crazy Horse provided for the
helpless he hunted for the elderly and the
widows, providing them with food. (Marshall,
2007) Cochise befriended the white settlers at
Butterfield station in southeastern Arizona even
providing them with firewood through the long
cold winters. (McNamee, 2006) Chief Black Hawk
was devoted to his family and to his people. For
years he led his people on a journey to search
for provisions to prevent starvation, even when
under enemy attack. (Ilminen, 2006)
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Ethical Leaders are Servants
Although more than a few leaders achieved
personal prominence, for most it was secondary to
their service to the people. (Marshall, 2007,
p. 77) the renewal of a society requires
commitment to the welfare of the whole nation,
not just to the well being of a select few
individuals. (Murphy, 1993, p. xxxi)
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How Do Our Leaders Today Compare to Leaders of
the Past?
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What We are Doing Right
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What We are Doing Wrong
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Summary Characteristics of an Ethical Leader

• To be an Ethical Leader
• Be Caring and Compassionate
• Have Courage
• Face Reality
• Be Honest
• Be Humble
• Respect all Peoples
• Serve Others

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Our Challenge
What We Must Do Today to Survive
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References
Andre, Claire and Velasquez, Manuel. (1987,
Fall). Can Ethics be Taught? Issues in Ethics
IIE V1 N1. Catlin, George. (1973). Letters and
Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of
North American Indians. Volume I. Dover
Publications Inc. (First published in
1844). Ilminen, Gary. (2006, September/October).
The Great Chiefs Black Hawk, Tactical Genius of
the Sauk Fox. Native Peoples Magazine. pp.
74-78. Johansen, Bruce E. (2007, March/April).
Crimes Punishments Justice in Ancient America.
Native Peoples Magazine. pp. 25-27. Krol, Debra
Utacia. (2007, March/April). The Great Chiefs,
Captain Jack Hero of Lost River. Native Peoples
Magazine. pp. 54-56.
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References
Mails, T. E. (1998). Dog Soldier Societies of
the Plains. New York, NY Marlowe Company,
Chapter 1. Marshall, Joseph M., III. (2007,
January/February). The Great Chiefs, Tasunke
Witko (His Crazy Horse). Native Peoples
Magazine. pp. 76-79. McNamee, Gregory. (2006,
January/February). The Great Chiefs, Cochise
Warrior and Statesman. Native Peoples Magazine.
pp. 26-28. Merriam-Websters Collegiate
Dictionary, Tenth Edition (Electronic Version).
(1995). Dallas, TX Zane Publishing, Inc. in
cooperation with Merriam-Webster, Inc. Murphy,
Emmett C. (1993). The Genius of Sitting Bull,
13 Heroic Strategies for Todays Business
Leaders. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey Prentice
Hall.
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References
Nerburn, Kent. (2006, May/June). Chief Joseph,
A Man of his People. Native Peoples Magazine.
pp. 54, 56.