Joseph Bruchac Native Quotations

One of the things I've been taught by Native American elders is the importance of patience, of waiting to do things when the time is right.

From my teenage years on, I sought out Native elders from many tribal nations and listened to their words. I also started a small press, The Greenfield Review Press, and became very involved with publishing the work of other American Indian authors, especially books of poetry.

Every year, I travel extensively in the autumn and the spring. I set most of the winter and summer aside for my family and my own tribal relatives. But during that traveling time, I often find myself visiting other native communities around the continent - perhaps a dozen or more each year.

At a time when Europeans already had a long history of violent contact with Native people, Lewis and Clark made most of their journey in peace.