Every part of the earth is sacred to my people… every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every light mist in the dark forest, every clearing… and every winged creature is sacred to my people. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The fragrant flowers are our sisters; the deer and mighty eagle are our brothers; the rocky peak, the fertile meadows, all things are connected like the blood that unites a family.
—Chief Seattle, Duwamish, 1854