My people wish for peace; the red men all wish for peace; but where the white people are, there is no peace for them, except it be on the bosom of our mother. – Tecumseh Shawnee chief’s speech to the Osages, winter 1811-1812.
Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth? Did not the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children? – Tecumseh Speech to Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison, on August 11, 1810.
Accursed be the race that has seized on our country and made women of our warriors. Our fathers, from their tombs, reproach us as slaves and cowards. I hear them now in the wailing winds…The spirits of the mighty dead complain. Their tears drop from the weeping skies. – Tecumseh War speech to Creek Indians at Tuckabathcee in October 1811, as told by Sam Dale to JFH Claiborne.
When the white men approach you the yawning earth shall swallow them up. Soon shall you see my arm of fire stretched athwart the sky. I will stamp my foot at Tippecanoe, and the very earth shall shake. – Tecumseh War speech to Creek Indians at Tuckabathcee in October 1811, as told by Sam Dale to JFH Claiborne.
A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong. – Tecumseh The Shawnee warrior and leader to his fellow chiefs. He led a large confederation of Native American tribes to resist white settlement during the early 19th century.
When Jesus Christ came upon the Earth, you killed Him. The son of your own God. And only after He was dead did you worship Him and start killing those who would not. – Tecumseh Speech to Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison, on August 11, 1810.
In Life When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
My father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother, and on her bosom I will recline. – Tecumseh To Governor William Harrison of Indiana, who said it was the Great Father’s wish Tecumseh take a seat with territory officials at Vincennes, 1810.
Let the white race perish. They seize your land; they corrupt your women; they trample on the ashes of your dead! Back, whence they came, upon a trail of blood, they must be driven. Back! back, ay, into the great water whose accursed waves brought them to our shores! Burn their dwellings! Destroy their stock! Slay their wives and children! The Red Man owns the country, and the Pale-faces must never enjoy it. War now! War forever! War upon the living! War upon the dead! Dig their very corpses from the grave. Our country must give no rest to a white man’s bones. This is the will of the Great Spirit. – Tecumseh War speech to Creek Indians at Tuckabathcee in October 1811, as told by Sam Dale to JFH Claiborne.
I have made myself what I am. And I would that I could make the red people as great as the conceptions of my own mind, when I think of the Great Spirit that rules over us all. – Tecumseh To Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison, 1810.
I am a Shawnee. My forefathers were warriors. Their son is a warrior. From them, I take my only existence. – Tecumseh Speech to Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison, on August 11, 1810.
Before the palefaces came among us, we enjoyed the happiness of unbounded freedom and were acquainted with neither riches, wants, nor oppression. – Tecumseh Sleep Not Longer, O Choctaws and Chickasaws – Speech, 1811.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
The Great Spirit made all things. He gave the white people a home beyond the great waters. He supplied these grounds with game, and gave them to his red children; and he gave them strength and courage to defend them. – Tecumseh Speech to the Osages, winter 1811-1812.
The white people have no right to take the land from the Indians, because the Indians had it first. – Tecumseh To Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison.
The Great Spirit is angry with all men that tell lies. – Tecumseh Speech to the Osages, winter 1811-1812.
Since my residence at Tippecanoe, we have endeavored to level all distinctions, to destroy village chiefs, by whom all mischiefs are done. It is they who sell the land to the Americans. – Tecumseh To Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison.
Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
Brothers, the white people are like poisonous serpents: when chilled they are feeble and harmless, but invigorate them with warmth and they sting their benefactors to death. – Tecumseh Speech to the Osages, winter 1811-1812.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
When the legends die, the dreams end; there is no more greatness. – Tecumseh Inspire! What Great Leaders Do, by Lance Secretan.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
The way, and the only way, to stop this evil is for all the red men to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was at first, and should be yet; for it was never divided, but belongs to all for the use of each. – Tecumseh Speech to Governor of Indiana Territory, William Harrison, on August 11, 1810.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
Brothers, we must be united; we must smoke the same pipe; we must fight each other’s battles; and more than all, we must love the Great Spirit. – Tecumseh Speech to the Osages, winter 1811-1812.
Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
You, too, will be driven away from your native land and ancient domains as leaves are driven before the wintry storms. Sleep not longer, O Choctaws and Chickasaws, in false security and delusive hopes. Our broad domains are fast escaping from our grasp. – Tecumseh Speech to Choctaws and Chickasaws to get them into alliance with other tribes against Americans, 1811.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. – Tecumseh Shawnee History, by Lee Sultzman.
