To You We Shall Return: Lessons About Our Planet from the Lakota

by Joseph M. Marshall III

“Grandmother, you who listen and hear all, you from whom all good things come…It is your embrace we feel when we return to you…”  This traditional Lakota prayer to Grandmother Earth opens Joseph Marshall III's newest work, a meditation on our connection to the land and an exhortation to respect it. Using a combination of personal anecdote, detailed history, and Lakota tales, Marshall takes us back to his childhood and shows us how we, too, can learn to love our planet.
Although he was educated in Euro-American schools, Marshall had the benefit of growing up with wise grandparents who taught him never to walk a path without knowing the trail from which he'd come: that the bow does not make the hunter, and above all, that the earth can be boundlessly generous-if we can learn to accept its gifts.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Indigenous, Audiobook, Philosophy, Native American, Native Americans

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Joseph M. Marshall III was born and raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and holds a PhD from the reservation university, which he helped to establish. The award-winning author of ten books, including Hundred in the Hand, The Lakota Way, and The Journey of Crazy Horse, he has also contributed to various publications and written several screenplays. His first language is Lakota, he handcrafts traditional Lakota bows and arrows, and he is a specialist in wilderness survival. Marshall's work as a cultural and historical consultant can be seen and heard in the Turner Network Television and Dreamworks epic television miniseries Into the West. "

Reviews

[Ira (SF Words of Wonder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook, short but packed with insight. Narrated by Joseph, making it even better. Easy 5 stars.

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful entry by Joseph Marshall III.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really wonderful book. I loved the audio version. If you are not already interested in the topics presented in this book, this may not be for you. Joseph M. Marshall III is, I feel a great writer without being at all condescending or preachy. it took me a looooooong time to finish. really slow. worth it, but not crazyfastpacedpageturning.

[Jeff Koeppen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was an OK read. I enjoyed the personal anecdotes, especially about his parents and grand parents. He talked a lot about the history of the Native Americans before and after the arrival of the Europeans. Much of this history was review to me, especially the parts about those who occupied what is now Minnesota. I am awestruck how they survived the absolutely brutal winters of North America without furnaces, modern clothing, or buildings. As the author points out, the Native Americans were masters at living within their environment to thrive wherever they went no matter the climate.

What really bogged this down for me was that it as annoyingly repetitive. It also felt like he was off base a bit when talking negatively about modern engineering marvels (ie. Dubai tower, Golden Gate Bridge). I get it that they are not "in tune" with nature but I also don't think that man should give up on creating the awesome just because it's not "natural". I could be wrong.

This would be a good primer so someone not familiar with the plight of the Native Americans after the arrival of the Europeans.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this and really enjoyed it. Joseph M. Marshall (the author) describes both his personal family history and the history, beliefs and way of life of his Lakota ancestors. Along the way he also introduces the diversity of native peoples of the North America and how they were shaped by and adapted to the many different environments of that vast continent.

An ever-present theme throughout the book is the contrast between the beliefs and lifestyles of his ancestors (love, respect and gratitude for/to "Grandmother earth"; an understanding of the basic common reality that all life is connected and that all living organisms are born and will die, and are in that sense equal; respect for and adaptability to their environment; a sense of gratitude to the animals they eat and trees they chop down; and an appreciation of being in and of the natural world - for example their old people's penchant for slipping off their moccasins to feel the earth under their feet) and the beliefs and lifestyle of the modern world (e.g. not respecting the environment for our benefit, let alone its own sake; pushing species to extinction; generating and discarding masses of waste; not wondering where materials and waste came from or go to and what impact that has (etc. etc.), to the subtle effects of seeing ourselves detached from our environment as something other than an animals and outside of the web of life). He doesn't overly romanticize the past,decry capitalism or eschew the material benefits of, let's say, 'western civilization', but in deep measured tones, with a pleasing Lakotan lilt, points out that something somewhere has gone wrong with our relationship to our world and fellow inhabitants. He ends by urging us all to not wait for corporations or governments to reduce waste and C02 but to get on and do it ourselves.

All in all pretty damn good. A bit sad on the way that not only did Euro-Americans take over the continent (although a technologically advanced society invading a huge continent like America seems somewhat like an inevitability) but intentionally broke up the early Indian reserves and introduced insidious notions of land ownership and private property to undermine their way of life and communitarian cultures. And it's all so recent!! The church next door is older than half that shit! Would definitely recommend the audiobook (doubt I would have read the actual book).

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marshall’s impactful and poetic book mixes memoir, history, social and environmental commentary, myth and Lakota elder’s wisdom. It is an environmental and spiritual call to arms, asking us to re-examine our relationship to nature and choose the conscious coexistence of our Indigenous ancestors over the dominion mentality most of society has now.

Marshall interweaves stories of his idyllic childhood with his grandparents (it was hard work but beautifully connected to nature); with Native American—primarily Lakota-history—myths and stories illustrating the natural adaptability, ingenuity and perceptiveness of his people, as well as the impact of Euro-American colonization and the terrible, gluttonous, genocidal policies enacted by the US government; and adds concerns about where humanity is headed.

Despite revealing horrors of the past and the uncertainty of the future, Marshall’s book still feels hopeful. His deep respect and love for nature and for the wonderful diversity of humankind offers a solution. If we all acted out of love and respect, the world would be a different place.

[Miglė · Rating 4 out of 5]

"it is more than a phrase, or a primitive belief, or a philosophy, or hope. it is profound reality, the basis for how pre-European cultures in North America look at the human relationship with Earth.

now so many of us do not understand that to ignore that reality is not to circumvent it."

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a valuable book about Indigenous experiences from an Indigenous author. A bit too much repetitive info and a bit too rambling for my taste in words. Overall, it is excellent for adding Indigenous perspectives to learning about the land and impacts of colonialism in what is now the USA.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stimulated my thinking about land.

[MWT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as Lakota Way, which I listened to right before (which might've spoiled me because it was really good). The basic message, about adapting to and living with the natural environment rather than trying to be in control of it, gets repeated over and over. I kept waiting for him to advance his argument past that point, to talk about not just what we need to do and why, but also how. However, by the middle of the book I knew it wasn't going any farther. The final few chapters are basically an argument about how a little bit of technology (at the level of things every individual can make with their own hands) is good and counts as adaptation to Nature, but scaling it forward to modern-day cities and etc. is bad and counts as dominion over Nature, even though it's really all a matter of degree.

At the very end in the Afterword he talks a bit about recycling and minimizing our carbon footprints, but that should've been a much larger part of the main book. There could've been a lot to say about how to live in a respectful and adaptive way with all our modern technology (because this is what our environment is now, for a lot of us) rather than a superiority-based way.

I enjoyed all the personal stories about his life as a boy, with his grandparents, etc. and when he was describing the varieties of dwellings in North America depending on natural areas (forest vs. desert vs. plains vs. snow, etc). That part makes me want to find books similar to Lakota Way from members of other tribes.

[Ron W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very conservative but also a very big outdoorsman, have a great love for the wilderness and the earth and have a great love for and interest in Native American beliefs and traditions. That being said, after I read the Introduction I was worried this book would promote a liberal environmentalist type view of the environment. Though there are some things that I did not particularly agree with I do have to say that this book delivered what I hoped it would.

Marshall is a great storyteller and discussed much about his people (the Lakota) and their close relationship to the earth and environment. While he does not provide detailed answers about how we return to the earth he does provide a philosophy and view point about how we should view the earth. I found the stories about his boyhood and the teachings he received from his grandparents particularly insightful and entertaining and learned much about the origins of the Sioux Nation and it's tale of how it came to be in modern times.

I think that all people, regardless of political views regarding modern-day environmentalism, would truly enjoy this book.

[Rena Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

More natural and Native wisdom from Marshall. He beautifully delves back into memories of his grandparents and their quiet, peaceful way of life and wisdom for ways to live in today's world.

[Tabbitha Rivera · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay. It was a little preachy and very repetative and frankly I found portions of it rather boring. I have loved some of his other books though but for me this one was just okay.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 2 1/2 stars. It’s not that it’s poorly written, but I was hoping to learn more about the philosophies specific to the Lakota. While very beautiful, nothing that the author shared was different from other things I have read from other indigenous authors. Further, every time he spoke of lessons from his grandfather, they were no different than things my own (ironically white) grandfather taught me. His arguments also do not hold up under logical or philosophical scrutiny, and when placed in an anthropological context are down right common.

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I needed this diversion from the craziness that seems to be infecting our country lately. It is often easy to forget what is important and how we as individuals function in today's world. Too often, we forget our place in the natural world, the importance of connection to the land, and our relationships with others. I have read several of Mr. Marshall's books and I have found them interesting and enlightening. Many lessons to be learned and put into practice.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

There were definitely some great lessons and reminders found in this one. I could also listen to the author read all day long. His voice is so soothing and feels as if it is the embodiment of the wolrd itself imparting wisdom. The story does meander around at times, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author and I’ve found that I really like his writing style and storytelling. He gives us both a personal and tribal history in this book. The theme is the tremendous respect for the Earth and nature passed on through generations within indigenous cultures. It was very interesting and I really appreciated what I learned.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

If nothing else, I'm now reinforced in my belief that my connection to the land I know is not uncommon, and that it is of perhaps a biological necessity that I tend for the land for the sake of my own self-actualization—and from there, less selfishly, begin the changing of the world.

Recommended for slow meditations.

[Luke Koran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author weaves tales of his Lakota upbringing and past histories of other Native American tribes living off the land through the centuries, while also admonishing civilized societies who have continually disrespected nature and forgot how to simply co-exist with, rather than dominate and decimate, Grandmother Earth.

[Chris Sheridan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to Joseph Marshall read this book. To You We Shall Return is a primer for learning the history of the Lakota. The brief introduction to Lakota ways of life, creation stories, and beliefs left me intrigued and wanting to know more.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be good for people just starting to learn about American Indian history and culture or the environmental movement. As someone who has been reading about those topics for decades, I didn’t learn anything and found it extremely repetitive.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read and study the ways of Godly living the more I see God in the ways of the Lakota.
Mr. Marshall’s writings remind us of the ways we are supposed live with God,God’s creation and each other. Excellent writing that encourages me to live better, with gratitude.

[Lisa Lewton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed the perspective of the Lakota writer, speaking of the land as something that cannot be owned but shaped by. I learned a new way of seeing the land. This is not an answer book for what to do now, but a book that begets more conversation of how to steward creation.

[Daniel Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great perspective of how Native American people related to the earth. Masters at adapting to their climate they have retained spiritual ways despite America's attempt to destroy them.

[J.Istsfor Manity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable ruminations of a Lakota childhood; sobering reminders of hateful hegemony; and a paradigm for living in unison with the earth and each other. I’m not hopeful, but I am grateful for those who are.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the author’s narration was akin to meditation. Gentle, yet thought-provoking.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gentle soul. Such a gentle read. Therapy on every page.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights, but overall a bit repetitive in the writing style

[Kilian Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chill book about Native American perspectives on environmental issues in the modern world. Not amazing but was enjoyable.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful.