by Sandra E. Yeager: The Traditional Indian Code of Ethics is a set of rules that the Native American community choose to live by…

The earliest written source for this code is from 1982, taken from the Four Worlds Development Project, which was founded by Phil Lane Jr, a member of the Yankton Dakota and Chickasaw Nations, although it is though that there are many verbal variations of this code from times gone by.

1. Give thanks to the Creator each morning upon rising and each evening before sleeping.

2. Seek the courage and strength to be a better person.

3. Showing respect is a basic law of life.

4. Respect the wisdom of people in council.

5. Once you give an idea it no longer belongs to you; it belongs to everybody.

6. Be truthful at all times.

7. Always treat your guests with honour and consideration. Give your best food and comforts to your guests.

8. The hurt of one is the hurt of all. The honour of one is the honour of all.

9. Receive strangers and outsiders kindly.

10. All races are children of the Creator and must be respected.

11. To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, or nation is one of the main purposes for which people are created.

12. True happiness comes to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

13. Observe moderation and balance in all things. Know those things that lead to your well-being and those things that lead to your destruction.

14. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart.

15. Expect guidance to come in many forms: in prayer; in dreams; in solitude; and, in the words and actions of Elders and friends.