Stewardship of the Land (and Humility)

As I wandered through the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center in Ashland, Wisconsin, yesterday, I read this on one of the information plaques: "Long before Europeans arrived, these forests were home to [the Ojibwe Indians].  They  believed that they were inseparable from other living beings with whom they shared the woods and waters and that the region's plants and animals were gifts shared with them to meet their needs.  From this kinship came wisdom, respect and deep knowledge of the natural world."

How nice it would have been if the arriving Europeans learned something about the principle of stewardship from the Indians.  Ironically, however, another plaque not very far from the first I quoted read: "The U.S. Government placed Native American children in boarding schools.  Children were severely punished if they spoke their natural language, practiced their religion or wore traditional clothing.  These schools aimed to eliminate traditional natural culture by separating children from their families and forcing them to adapt to European customs and Christian beliefs."  Not an attitidue that allows much learning from others.