Most of my younger Native American friends are not in any way

Listen well, children of the future, for the wisdom of the past echoes in the hearts of those who have long carried the burdens of history. Robbie Robertson, a man whose roots run deep in the heart of the Native American experience, once spoke a truth that cuts through the noise of modern life: "Most of my younger Native American friends are not in any way looking for sympathy, and they're not looking to lay guilt on anybody. They have their dignity, and they do what they do." These words, spoken with the weight of lived experience, reveal a profound understanding of strength and pride, a call to honor the resilience of a people who have faced centuries of hardship yet refuse to be defined by their suffering.

For many generations, the Native American peoples have endured untold hardships—war, displacement, genocide, and the loss of their lands. Yet, Robertson’s words remind us that the true strength of his people lies not in the sympathy of others or in the guilt they might impose upon the world, but in their dignity and their steadfast commitment to their own path. In the face of unimaginable tragedy, Native Americans have not bowed to the expectations of pity or remorse. Instead, they have embraced their identity with pride, continuing to live and thrive in ways that honor their rich cultural heritage.

Consider the example of the Lakota Sioux in the late 19th century. After the Battle of Little Bighorn, the Lakota were thrust into a brutal struggle for survival. Their lands were taken, their way of life shattered, yet they did not beg for sympathy. Instead, they adapted, finding ways to preserve their culture and spirituality despite the overwhelming forces against them. Their leaders, such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, understood that dignity—the strength to endure and persevere—was far more valuable than seeking the approval or pity of those who had wronged them. They did not seek to lay guilt on their oppressors but instead chose to carry their heritage with honor. This, children, is the legacy of Native American strength: an unwavering dignity that transcends the suffering of the past.

Robertson’s words carry a vital lesson for all of us. In a world where the language of victimhood and blame often dominates the conversation, there is something infinitely more powerful in the quiet assertion of self-respect. The younger Native American generation, according to Robertson, does not seek to invoke sympathy nor to burden others with the weight of guilt. Rather, they seek to live their lives with purpose, driven by a sense of their own dignity. This is the strength that lies at the heart of all enduring cultures: the ability to rise above suffering, to hold fast to your values, and to move forward with grace and resolve.

The ancient cultures of the world knew this truth well. The Spartans, for example, were taught from a young age to embrace hardship, to never seek mercy, and to wear their dignity like armor. They believed that their spirit was forged not in the softness of sympathy but in the unyielding resolve to stand firm in the face of adversity. Their warriors did not lament their struggles; instead, they met them with strength, understanding that true honor lay not in the sympathy of others but in their own ability to rise above the trials of life.

Take heed of this lesson, children, for it applies not only to the Native American peoples but to all who face trials and tribulations in this world. Do not seek sympathy to define you, nor let the guilt of others be a weight you must carry. True strength comes not from what is given to you, but from what you choose to carry with dignity. Like the younger Native Americans, and like the great warriors and leaders of the past, you must choose to stand tall, to live with pride, and to move forward with courage, knowing that your worth is not measured by the burdens of others, but by the integrity with which you face the world.

As you walk through your own lives, remember that dignity is a treasure that cannot be given to you, nor can it be taken away. It is something you must choose, something you must nurture in the face of both triumph and suffering. Do not look for others to feel sorry for you, nor for the world to change its course because of your pain. Instead, stand strong in who you are, embrace your heritage, and forge your path with the unshakable knowledge that your dignity is the one thing no one can ever take from you.