I was watching Longmire. At the end, (at about 40:00), Henry Standing Bear is having a conversation with 80 year-old Ada Black Kettle about keeping a secret. She assures him that he need not worry; then asks him, “What did the first warrior say to the Great Spirit?”

Standing Bear replies:

The First Warrior looked out on the land that was his home. He saw the hills, and the stars, and he was happy. for giving him this hime, the First Warrior told the Great Spirit that he would fight and win many battles in His honor. but the Great spirit said, “No. Do not fight for me. fight for your tribe. fight for the family born to you. Fight for the brothers you find. Fight for them,” the Great Spirit said, “for they are your home.”

This story was beautifully interpreted by Lou Diamond Phillips in his role as Henry Standing Bear; and in the context of the episode, it is a very moving scene.

I was wondering, is this tale actually from a Native American tradition? If so, which one? Or perhaps it is a combination of several?

Topics: Native American, legend, wisdom, Tales, First Warrior, Great Spirit