The following are responses to the statment concerning the exploitation of Lakota ceremonies. Anyone is free to submit a response to this statement provided you include explicit permission to post the statement to the internet. Each response must be individually processed by the web masters so please be patient if this process takes a little time. We ask that people be respectful in their responses and address the issues and not individual persons. Responses to the Statement:
War Against Exploiters of Lakota SpiritualityDue to the size of the responses I have divided them into smaller sections. You may read the most recent responses below in reverse chronlogy (newest to oldest). There are also archives of comments:
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Courtesy of ChangeDetection
From: Seadishes4@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Our Creator is the true origin of Identity. Sky and land and air and water are here to house and facilitate purpetuation of identity. Our Father is the origin of the "I". Our Mother is the origin of the "Me". It is the task or opprotunity of us all to understand how our personal and cultural identities (and yes, at times those of our our neighbors) exist in this world, so we can better ponder the great mystery we know as God's will and way. Truth, wisdom, knowledge and lesson, are the great gifts from our Mother and Father given to us so we can better know the concepts of love and joy and happiness. We can accomplish this by respecting the beauties, differences, strenghs and weaknesses of the ways and beliefs of ourselves and our brothers and sisters who share this wonderous mystery that we know as spiritual and physical existence.
So it is my hope that the time will come that the neighbors that I believe myself so fortunate to get stuck with, will lick their wounds and concider a new possibility. A new today. A tomrrow inwhich the old ways live alone, and alongside those of today where welcome.
Anon- But, by all means please share it with the Heathens!
From: Barry Bellehumeur barryredeagle@yahoo.com
I give permission to post the message below...
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003
We are in serious trouble...as Native Americans! I suggest to anyone reading such crap as the statements about abuse, that they read the book THE BIGGEST SECRET, by David Icke. This will explain the real fraudsters and who we have all been duped. The Hope have a legend about having lived under the earth during the great flood. The President of Mexico said Iguanas cross bred with his people. We have evidence that other cultures visited us long before Columbus. The Jesuit priest recorded Sun Kings in Illinois in the late 15 hundreds and early 16 hundreds. These things are not made up. Now we have so called christian natives going around preaching the bible! fine...if it had really happened!!! read the book!!! native people don't know who they really are and most are in denial. Who is abusing who? no one forces us to go to so called bogus rituals etc. but we sure do a lot of time criticizing and defending tradition that we don't know about? but we believe we do because we have the moral disease, read Dr. Brad Blanton's book, Radical Honesty!!...the fact is, we have been hiding our true history for centuries. We have been lying to our own people about our roots, despite the evidence. There is a big snake mound in Ohio! how did it get there? how did the mounds in Cahokia, Illinois get there?? why would sun kings be sacrificing and be buried in pyramid like mounds?? with plumes and whole bit??? yeah, I have heard all the crap about we were always here etc. sure, we didn't all drown during the flood? then where did we hide? idiots!!! we have been duped just like the christians, hindus, catholics and jews!!! it never happened...there was no Jesus, Moses, Nativity, Crucifixtion etc. Christmas, Easter...all bullshit...it's about the Matrix and mind control...and who's behind it? our true ancestors...reptiles. I am angry. I am mad at my elders and the so called do gooders revealing the creeps when they appear to be creeps themselves, hiding behind history and ceremonies and so called tradition thats all an apparent lie, for money, power and control. When I read the messages from these so called true elders or medicine men, I want to puke. Divide and conquer is the way of the reptile. Their own words are about abuse and control, of our minds and spirits...no better than the way of the so called con men. Judgements etc. that's not our way, never was, until we became infected with a greater virus than smallpox or alcohol, morality!! with a false face...manipulation from aliens!!! because the truth is we have alien blood...but we try and hide it, deny it, forget it...but our history goes back to the days of Canaan before and after the great flood...we have an obligation to finally tell our young the truth to same them from becoming diseased. All the details are revealed in the book...right from the beginning...step by step...and who is behind it, even today, and sad to say our elders have been sucked in too and now preach the disease!!! A-ho!
From: cloudedeagle@nativemail.com
good day
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003
i just read the web page, A Decleration of war on all exploiters of Lakota Spirituality.
i give full permission to foward this e-mail to whom ever it must be sent to in order to get a response.
i am a South African and i've been drawn to the Native American way of life since i was very young. for the last few years i have been following the spirituality i felt came naturally. i've been trying to find out about Native American religion since then but without any success. i am both taken aback and in agreement after reading the article. i think it is of utmost importance to keep the ways of the Native American sacred and to stop all abuse and desecration. i didn't even know that half the havoc occurred before reading the article.
but on the other had i am wondering whether it is possible for a non-Native American to follow the same Spiritual path as the true Native Americans. i realise that i have probablly offended the culture in my ignorance but i want to correct that. if it is possible i really want to find out more about what i must do to rectify my wrongs. if it is not, please let me know so i can know what i must do.
much appretiated
geran raath
From: charoma@voila.fr
two days ago I sent you an email concerning the statement "War against exploiters of Lakota spirituality"..I have forgotten to give this precision : you can post my email on internet, if ever my words can interest someone. no problem. thank you. chantal (of france)
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003
response to the statement "war against exploiters of Lakota spirituality". Hello. I was visiting some websites at random and found yours, and read the words about the lakota spirituality. May I share with you some words ? first I will ask your indulgence if my expressions are not correct. I am a french woman. More than three years ago, I was watching a french tv program about the Lakota people, and after some minutes I was moved to tears. I decided to make personal researches on this People, in order to understand, to know them better. And while I was opening so many books, the Lakota spirituality opened my heart. I even tried to learn some of the lakota language. I considered that it was the less I could do to show my respect to this Nation, it was my way of walking half the road to them. I treasured those words in my heart, like beads. All this inspired me poems too, and in a "clumsy english" I let my heart express itself. I agree with what is said in this statement. I agree with this decision to fight the persons who exploit spirituality, in the name of Profit and Money. I know some places in France and Germany where powwows are organized every year. Sorts of maskerades with beads and feathers "made in Taiwan", where I refuse to go. For me such a gathering has no sense on my continent. Such a great moment of Harmony between souls, between members of a Nation, can only take place on the ground it was made for. This communion can only be powerful combined with the winds , the earth and the waters where it was created. This interest for the Lakota Culture has been leading me on wonderful paths those last years, I have learned wisdom and patience and I am still growing. I feel rich deep inside me now. I will always be grateful to the Native friends I have, to have shared with me their thoughts, joys and sorrows. so, I hope many Lakota men and women will join this movement and fight for the respect of their Culture. I sincerely hope the genuine Spirituality based on of my total respect and admiration. May the fragrance of the Lakota Nation always perfume our planet. Pilamayaye ! Chantal (of France)
From: Rob Farrow 4thehawk@optonline.net
You have my permission to post this if you so desire.
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003
Hell, I certainly know where you're coming from, but if you truly want to have Lakota Spirituality live (and it will, with or without you) you should consider what you're saying. After all, it's ALL predicated on Mitakuye Oyas'in. You're either "getting it" and living it, or you're not. Speak with the Elders.
Cetan Kinye Wankatuya
From: Michaele Maurer redjasper@comcast.net
Forgot to tell you: you have my permission to publish, if you're still maintaining the website.
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003
The Declaration hit me like a sledgehammer the first time I saw it about five years ago. Since then I have resolutely excluded from my spiritual practice all Native American elements, because they are off limits to me. This resolve makes me a little paranoid sometimes.
It raises a larger, much more painful question for me. I'm as white as typing paper, but the religions of my ancestors -- Christianity and Judaism -- have nothing good to offer me. In my experience, they lack inclusiveness, define compassion too narrowly, and have too little room for the glamor, pleasure and weirdness my spirit requires.
So I have spent the last five years building my own religion.
I am a white mongrel: ancestry assorted Western Europe; born of a Jewish father and Catholic mother, raised atheist, once a fundamentalist, now a neo-pagan. Raised in hippie-town by hippie sympathizers.
Because I have no tradition of my own, I cannot swallow any existing tradition whole. So my altar is a mongrel too, home to Irish, Tibetan, Hindu and French divinities -- and others I have never heard of anywhere else.
Now, reading the Declaration again, I must answer this question: by what right am I a religious syncretist? By what right do I build my own religion out of other people's scraps?
Must I give up my drum (made in Pakistan, and purchased because it was cheaper than the Irish bodhran I wanted) because I know nothing about the Native American drum traitions?
Must I rename the little earth-spirit who meets me in the hematite necklace on my altar, because "Shining Dark" is the name of a Costanoan spirit I have never met?
Must I give up the little New Age drum circle at the local metaphysical shop, because it includes a chant of "Shima, Shima, Shima," a "Native American word for Love"?
Further, must I never worship Ganesha again unless I can carry out a complete Hindu puja? (I took him off my altar two years ago for precisely this reason.) Must I take down my patron, Brigid, because I do nothing in Her service but write the best poetry I can (in English)?
In short: is syncretism a crime? This is something I need to know. In a way, my life depends on it.
Michaele (say "My-Kell") Maurer
From: Lean Lekens lean.lekens@pandora.be
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003
I read the statement and was shocked to find out things are really this bad. I live in Belgium, which is far away from your country. I am not a catholic, and do not consider myself a New Ager, as I do not believe in many things they stand for or practice, although I do believe in reincarnation. I am however genuinely interested in the history and culture of the Native Americans.
How did this come to be ? I was having dreams of myself as someone else, and even now I have pictures in my head that I cannot place. Others I have been able to place, quite coincidentally. I know many will judge me, especially those who do not have an open mind where reincarnation is concerned. I will not tell the whole story here, simply because of predudice by many. Let's just say that I found images corresponding to the ones in my dreams on a site on South dakota, and the mere mention of Wounden Knee would bring tears to my eyes evn though I had no idea what really happened.
That is when I started to look things up, and now I am about to learn the Lakota language, simply because I think it is fascinating. I had the same with Greek (and was able to place those pictures too), which I studied for four years, and I now hold a degree in interpreting. I even lived in Greece for a year, as I firmly believe you cannot learn a language without learning about the culture, they're a package deal, as it were.
I'm telling you this, simply because I think you need to know we are not all out to steal your culture. I too condemn people who do this, and not only steal from your culture, but from others too. I really want to learn about your culture, but have no intention whatsoever of using any part of it for use here. It doesn't make sense, I am not Indian, so I shouldn't act like I am. I do want to learn about them though, so I can understand more about yet another great culture that was overrun by white settlers. I wish I could make things right, but I cannot. I do believe that your ways should be yours alone though, but I also believe that we should all try to understand eachother, naive as that may sound. I still believe it's the way forward : understanding, and above all, respect.
I hope people will start realizing soon that theft is wrong, even where rituals are concenred, and that the 'coolness' will wear off soon. And forgive me for the images in my mind if you do not believe in past lives, I mean no harm, I am merely seeking knowledge... I hope things will change for the better soon....
Kindest regards
Izzems
You can post if you think this reaction has any value, it's up to you.
From: Shining Wolf (Lina) lina1@telusplanet.net
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2003
Yes YOU SURE DO and please disseminate knowledge of the site as much as you can conceivably do. In fact, if you send me a url to connect people with, I will pass it on to the president of the local of a national labour union here who just happens to be Mapuche from Chile and very traditional, he in turn will pass it among other traditionals. He feels the same about rainsticks as I do smudge bowls and other sacred things. Anyway, please know this I do not have a problem with people knowing and understanding our ways, I do not agree with the dissemination of sacred knowledge outside our circle. Of course there is traditional adoption but then those not of our blood who join our blood must live as we do, honoring our beliefs and sacred ways. I think that clarifies my thinking. Lina Shining Wolf
May Wakan Tanka Bless you for your stand on our sacred ways. I live in Edmonton Alberta. My family emigrated from South Dakota two generations ago to Canada. All my children, my parents and my brothers and sisters look native. I am the lone reminder of blood mixing and rape during the 1800s in South Dakota. To many I look white but my heart and my soul belong to the Great Spirit and our traditional ways. I am incensed when whites tell me they follow our tradtions and that they somehow interpet them without instruction or adhesion to a lifetime to spiritual development. Worse, our own people joining with others of other faiths considered "alternative" and packaging "healing" and "spiritual awakening" much like the faith healers and snake merchants of the past. The sacred ways are just that, SACRED. To gain renumeration other than the honor we do a spiritual elder is wrong. It cheapens beliefs and puts them on a comodtic level. My heart breaks whenever this occurs. Somehow people believe that if you get Indian medicine you have some inside track to wellness and spirituality. I can understand those who are jaded with the hypocrisy of Judeo-Christian teachings over actions. This is sad for them. What makes them think that our ways are somehow better for them? When your soul is wounded, you must search your heart first to find faith THEN the healing begins. You don't go looking for the healing and grab the faith while you do it. So many people here buy into the commodification of our sacred ways. I have broken pipes, smudge bowls and stood down "healers" in conferences. I will NOT tolerate the bastardization of my beliefs and my people's ways any more than I would think that a Jew or Muslim or even devout Christian would want their beliefs cheapened and exploited. Somehow because we are Indian I guess it's open season. Well not up here and I am glad to hear not down there. When next I go to the Max Prison here to be with the Native Brotherhood I will mention this site so that the traditional men can get the word out to their communities throughout Canada. I know many know about the declaration... few know about the site. I will also publicize it at Round Dances and have my spiritual elder do the same if that is his will. May the Great Spirit Bless you for protecting our traditional ways and beliefs. Lina Shining Wolf
From: Dave Woolworth kudzudav@relativity.phy.olemiss.edu
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2003You are welcome to post this.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I tried to read the statement (War against exploiters...), but was not able to access it for whatever reason. But I have a good idea from reading the messages posted what it is about.
I guess this is where I am supposed to tell you whether I am white or native american, and even if I knew the answer to that question, I'm not really sure if it matters. I was adopted before birth, and I have no idea what my heritage is. I was adopted by my mother who is white as the page this is written on, and my father who also looks very "white," but he is 1/8 Cherokee. I have been told throughout life that I appear Native American, Spanish, Indian, and even Italian. I guess because my skin is dark, my eyes are dark, and my hair is black. So, what does that make me? Well, I don't really know. And ever since the day I was born I have felt somewhat lost-- needing to know who I am and from where I came. (Those of you who have had the pleasure of seeing the movie "Muppets from Space" may be able to sympathize) I consider myself a very spiritual person, so naturally I started my quest by immersing myself in different religions. My adoptive parents are Christian (Southern Baptist to be exact), so that is where I began, but it never felt right to me. It was too cold and elitist, and I also ran into many hypocrites and racists amongst them which turned me off. I read a lot of books on spirituality and traveled to other countries in search of something that felt like "home," and the closest I ever felt was when I attended a sweat lodge with a Lakota elder. It was several years ago when I was going to school out west. There were just a handful of people there (5 or 6) and there was certainly no talk of money. It was definitely one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had and I think about it often, because it was the closest to "home" that I've ever felt.
Now I must be honest with you, I know very little about Lakota spirituality. The only knowledge I have was the one experience I mentioned to you above. So you might wonder how I even came to this site, and why I feel the need to write to you now.
It has been several years since I participated in the sweat. Now I am married with three kids, and I have many distractions. But occasionally I find the time to think back on my quest and my brief experience with the spiritual. Today was one of those days. I recalled a prayer that was spoken many times during the sweat lodge. It had so much meaning to me at the time, but for whatever reason, today, I could only remember the words: "Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin". So, immediately I went to the computer and typed in the words. Thankfully, the first site I visited reminded me that the prayer meant "We are all related." And I thought it was such a beautiful, powerful message, especially at a time when all the world is at war. But much to my dismay, the second site led me here.
I can understand your frustration with people who try to sell something that is so sacred to you. How can you sell someone's beliefs? But unfortunately there are many people in this world with the inherent need to "follow" something, and there are a lot of coyotes out there who will try to make a profit by preying on their emotions. It doesn't only happen with Native American religions, but all other religions as well. All you can hope is that the people rise up and realize that they don't need money to get closer to god. All they need is to walk out their back door, open their eyes, and open their hearts.
So, my question to you is: Does the prayer "Mitakuye Oyasin" apply to all humans, plants, and animals, or does it apply only to a certain tribe or nation? And if it does apply to all humans, then what holds you back from showing others the way?
Stevi
From: Yvonne Huygens yhuygens@cableone.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003
I give permission to post this meassage.
Theives.......... They are! Many times people feel the need to take what is not theirs. How many more times are they going to take from us. THIS LAND IS NOT OURS TO SELL AND NEITHER IS OUR SPIRTUALITY. It is one thing to give wisdom to a person who truly wants it and will "RESPECT IT" but , it is another to share the wisdom and find out it has been abused.
First they take our husband's, then our wives, then our children. Then they take the things in which we all hold so near and dear to our hearts. When will these people stop taking. How dare they!!!!!!!! First they do not want us around, so what do they do? They kill us ALL, all of us at least they think. Now they want to take the last parts of our beings our "SOULS", just who do they think they are?
Our Elders would be so ashamed of us, enfact I know they are. If its war they want then bring it on, we have the "GREATEST WARRIORS" of all times on our side, so go ahead and bring it on.
I do not speak with fancy words, I speak souly from my heart. This angers me and saddens me at the same time. Nothing is sacred any more. There is a time and a place in which to share. There is also a knowledge of knowing who you can share the sacred things with.
When did we start beliveing in the white man or any others, have we not learned from our past mistakes? It is time to break the ties, to go back to the time when sacred things were just that sacred. This is why the Elders never shared somethings with others. Do we let everyone know what is going on in or private lives? I think not! So! Why do we feel we need to share or spirituality with them? Don't you see if we don't share it then they have no idea where to begin. Were we not killed for doing the GHOST DANCE? Now they want to join us?
I do not clam to know much about anything but, I tell you this we will surly distroy ourselves if this continues. I want you to know this, for many years it has been said to me, that my fourth (4th) Great Grandfather is The Great Chief Red Cloud. Upon a trip that I made to Pine Ridge about two years ago, it was said to me that it does not matter if you can find the blood line or not, it is what you beleive in your heart. My (4th) Great Grandmothers name was Minnie or Minna Waitt. This is all I need to tell you. I went to my Grandfathers grave sight where I knelt and prayed. He spoke to me that day and everyday since. I do not know anyone personlly in Pine Ridge but, I would enjoy very much speaking to my family members.
I join you in your war, and my war drum will continue to beat.........
The Great Mystery has spoken to me to send this to you, no matter what may happen.........
Let's not forget, they took away our native tounge as well but, yet their are many coming to our country, speaking their native tounge. This I do not understand. We have been here for many years and ours was taken from us but, they come to our country and can keep there native tounge. Maybe its because they don't have much to take away from them.
I feel Russell Means was right when the went up on top of PaHa Sapa in protest, but you seen what happened to him. Maybe it is time to get more Russell Means in our nation , these theives need to be stopped. But, lets do it all peacefully, oh! wait that don't matter they will make us look like killers and anything elese they want us to look like. Let's not forget Wounded Knee.
I respectfully thank you for your time. And I pray to the Great Mystery that these people will be stopped.
May our paths in life always walk side by side and even intertwine with each other.
I do not have an Indian Name, I feel that would be a Great Honor in life.
Someday a may people my Pine Ridge family and "IF" I do please understand one thing, I was born into a white family but, as so many people have said their hearts beat to a silent drum. I am many times misunderstood, so please do not misunderstand me. I am not looking for anything for myself , I am just very angry that people just can't leave others alone. May peace be with you and your loved ones. It has been truly an honor to send this to you.
May the Great Mystery be with you always.
May He guide and protect you.
May He Bless you abundantly til we meet again my friend.yhuygens@cableone.net
Yvonne Huygens
From: Russell Porter russellinfla@msn.com
Yes, Please do so (post the message) . I feel this is very important
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003
Hello,
I am native, I do not think it is right for non native peoples to use our religious beliefs. That do not understand the harm they may bring. There are ways about doing things a right way and the bad way. Doing the things in a bad way can harm you and the person you may be trying to help. So please do not try. If you need help go to a person who is Native American, they will help, they will also do the ceremony in their Native language. Wado Thank you.
Russell
From: D Kennedy danielfkennedy@peoplepc.com
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002Sir,
I am one of those non-indains tha has become interested in Native Amerixcan culture. My Grandmother was raised near the Black Hills and was exposed to your rich culture at a verry young age. She somehow has managed to pass on to her Granddaughter ( me) what she had learned from living near you sacred lands even thoough she passed away when I was only three years old. My God was the Great Spirite even before I knew what it was. I may be White but my spirite is just as Souix as yours. I believe the Great Spirite has the power to bring us, all together if thats what we want. As for the exploiters, who cares, as long as we know whats real and what works for us.
Thank You,
Susan Kennedy
p.s.You may post this.
From: crazyfly coloradokola@yahoo.com
Concerned
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003
coloradokola@yahoo.com
To whom it may concern,
While browsing the internet for sites containing Native American art I have just run across a document titled Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality and I am greatly concerned. I am a white man. I searched long and hard for a spiritual path that would work for me. I have been to about every type of Christian church you could name and for all my searching I never found the feeling I was looking for. About 10 years ago I was invited to a prayer ceremony, for the first time I felt in that sweat lodge, what I had been searching for, a close meaningful relationship and an open line of communication with my Creator. Over the passed 10 years I have attended sweat lodge whenever possible, (usually weekly) and it is an integral part of my spiritual belief.
I spent the first four years (it is a full blood Native American who pours) asking questions and learning about the traditions and meanings behind sweat lodge. I know that not being raised in and not living in the Native American culture I will never have a full understanding, and this saddens me. I do make every effort to be respectful and I am honored and humbled each time I am granted the privilege to attend one of your ceremonies.
I t makes me very sad to know what was taken away from the Native Americans when the white man came. I agree with most of what was stated in Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality. It is clear to me that I will never carry a pipe, I will never pour water, I will never have a sweat lodge in my back yard. It irritates me to see the sacred pipes for sale in the new age shops. Nothing else, not one thing should ever be taken away from the Indigenous People of America! What does concern me is the temperament, the spirit in which the statement seems to have been made, and point 4 in the resolve. I would hope that those who drafted and approved this would not be apposed to my being allowed to pray in a good way with Native Americans. (My sister is a Christian and from that side I hear that I should be going to church, this is difficult enough) . I have never been asked for any money, and I have never offered any more than some sage or cedar or tobacco. Weekly for a very long time, the person who pours has shone up and prayed with us and never asked for a thing. I have gone out of state and come back months and years later and gone to the place where sweat lodge is and there he is. This is a huge commitment that he takes very seriously and I have the utmost respect for him. Being allowed to attend the ceremony, and having people willing to answer my questions and explain the words in the songs, the meaning in the directions, pointing me to books that will give me a Native and not a white view has helped me to feel closer to the Native American people and to respect there traditions. Is this not a good thing? Shouldnt we hope that other Americans would understand and do away with the stereotype of the drunken savage portrayed in the movies for so long? Wouldnt it be good if White people would simply not buy pipes from new age stores because they understood it was wrong? My life has been changed forever by my experiences with the Native American ceremonies.
I pray that we will all come to a point where animosity no longer exists between our peoples. I pray that some day our government will find a way to make right the wrongs done against the Native Americans, I pray that those who charge a fee for ceremonies will see there error and stop, I pray that I will not be judged by what my Great Great Grand Father may have done out of ignorance, I pray that the People who drafted and approved the Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality will be freed of their anger, I pray that I will be allowed to continue to pray, quietly, in a good way, in sweat lodge.
Sincerely,
Coloradokola
If you choose to you may reprint this letter.
From: Naharvali@aol.com
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002
Feel free to post this in any way you choose.
Men, both Lakota and African and asian and Theod, it is now for us to rise and smash those who would rape any earth given culture. The high ones, understanding that truth was perspective, gave every folk on earth their own way. However, through the clambering for power of empire after empire, absorbing the main of others to sustain itself, most have been weakened or completely eaten. Now! Now is the time to rise and as the theod would proclaim, "Blood, folk, and troth!" for ever and ever
From: Allan Thornton allan.thornton@virgin.net
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2002OK for on the web
Hi I'm Scottish, living in the very North of Scotland. I read a lot of this stuff and although the link to the original statement is down, if I may chuck my two cents in: My deepest spiritual experiences have all been in the 3 sweatlodges I have had the privilege of taking part in. 2 in California were just amazing and will stay with me for a long long time. A third was in Ireland and although not as powerful and not run by an Indian, was run by someone with a good heart and earnestly seeking her way and was a serious experience for me.
The trouble for you guys is that this is not a war - it is an opportunity. We (the Western World) need more opportunity for authentic sweatlodges. Right now if you go on the net sweatlodges are being advertised by Wiccan groups (NO part of Scottish heritage I might add), shamanic groups who have no connection with anything other than shady occult practices, groups offering Scandinavian sweatlodges and many others. The world is taking over words previously reserved for Indian culture. It's up to your people - a missionary movement would be a good thing - or are you too scared of what the white man is still capable of? It may be cool at the moment, but as with any spiritual movement some seed falls on the good ground, some on the poor ground and some on the barren ground - even within your own culture - so maybe it is time to open up to the world to heal your wounds. Mutual benefit - your healing , our deepening spiritual experience
I realise that some may be offended by my words; but we have a similar cultural problem here in Scotland. We are in severe danger of losing our Gaelic language and heritage - after the repression and subjugation of this culture (check your history books - it didn't only happen to black and red people) over the last 250 years we are down to the last 60 - 70,000 speakers. But there are still some who wish to keep it to themselves and act strangely towards "outsiders". The simple truth of the matter is that many of the outsiders bring a much needed energy and freshness of outlook to the situation. The people who want to keep it pure are scared of those outside influences and what might happen - usually needlessly. The world evolves and so must we and fear has no place in your survival.
I enjoyed reading about all those points of view. Proves it's still alive and kicking.
PS Carolyn, tell your little boy to make the dream give him a nice present for being so bad to him. Tell him not to let it go away until it does. Dreams sometimes like to figure they got the power.
From: Stan Prescott ironjohn@elknet.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002You have my permission to post this note in its entirety.
My name is Stan Prescott. I was introduced to the new age pseudo-native spirituality through the mens movement in 1994. At the time, not knowing any better, I followed what I believed to be a Blackfoot medicine man(his words). I trusted this mans teachings until I was awakened to his duplicity in 1997 through a betrayal of the very principles he had taught me. This man was later exposed as a pedophile and a pervayor of pornography to adolescent boys in which he victimized boys in his "medicine lodge."
Through a separate group in the "mens movement" I have myself witnessed men perform sweat lodges complete with all the shaming and negativity of a Catholic mass; people charging for ceremony; women conducting sweat lodges while they were menstruating and allowing other women on their moon time to participate; co-ed nude sweats; and do I need to go on?
I had had enough of white christianity as a child and desperately needed a spiritual foundation in my life just so I could survive. Enter the mens movement. After seeing these abuses of sacred ceremony I decided that I could not trust whites and even some "indians" as my spiritual guides. My ability to survive is directly proportional to my willingness to accept responsibility for my own spiritual growth. When I go inside in a good way and stay focused I get all the answers I need. I dont need to have a teacher telling me if I am doing it right. I dont need to conduct ceremonies so I can show off and convince people that I am a spiritual man.
These ceremonies are sacred. The details of these ceremonies are important, and indeed ARE the ceremony. I am ashamed of the things I have seen done in the name of ceremony and of the things I was led to believe were a good thing for me to participate in. I believe that white culture teaches us all to be in control of things. I believe that comes from our fear based religeons. I believe that whites wishing to conduct ceremonies is a manifestation of that need to be in control. I believe that whites pressing the case with natives that they somehow have a "right" to conduct ceremonies passed down for hundreds of years with great care and respect by the Elders is an indication of the whites total lack of respect and understanding for what is sacred. I do not believe that whites have the capacity to fully appreciate the power of these ceremonies nor the level of responsibility encumbant upon those who conduct them, not only during the ceremony but in their daily lives. I believe that that kind of commitment comes only from the support of ancestors whose lives were inseperable from the spiritual.
If whites want to play Indian start off by being humble enough to accept that you cant run the show, nor should you. If you want to do something meaningful, give an Indian a job; fight the real racists; help the Elders; help the poor to survive with food, clothes, or heat for their homes. If you arent near a reservation look up the nearest Indian Center and give them your support. Get your own fractured families together. Learn to live as a Tiospaye.
Stan Prescott - a white man
From: James shewchuk bearbitca@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2002I read many comments but not all. I'm not sure there is that much time in a day.
YES go ahead and post this if it will help. In it's entirety would be kewl thanks.
I neither support your war nor do I condemn it. It is your war. Fight it at will.
As for MY credentials since they seem to be important. I am a good ol' Canadian mutt. My interest in the lifestyles of the native american began with a simple quest for answers for a story. A story based in a world where the native peoples of the earth were not conquered and the seven teachings preserved.
Therefore I too may be a thief but hear me out.
If my quest is honest am I a thief.
If my quest is humble am I still a thief.
If my quest seeks truth am I still a thief.
If my quest brings wisdom am I still a thief.
If my heart holds love for all people with out
condition am I a thief.
If my quest repects others as well as myself am I still a thief.
If I am brave by coming here to challenge you to look in your own heart am I a thief.
I wish to learn not to steal, I see so many similarities in all the great teachings of the world. I also see the perils of false prophecy as well as idol worship (including self idolization).
Help me to understand how the Lakota way differs so greatly from that of the other great native american peoples that it is yours not to share.
I am neither a prophet or sundancer or worshiper but a simple old man trying to be a student. I challenge those would be brave to teach when others will hurt you for it. Maybe then you and I will find what others are missing.
Jim (bearbit@excite.com)
BTW --does anyone know where this saying came from "some days you get the bear some days the bear gets you"
From: CJsmom44@aol.com
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002I totally agree with your article. No one has the right to exploit anothers spiritually and practices for profit. I am not a wannabe, twinkie or other. I am just a white who has some native blood. I practice Native Spiritually on my own. Not with loud noise or for show. To be native is in the heart. I remember my Grandfather and teaching. To be native is not a card or blood quantum, it is a way of living. To be native is to honor your ancestors. Of being mixed blood I try to honor what native ancestors I have by keeping abreast of native issues and offering support.
This is an outrage to me. This to me is the ultimate insult.
Susan
MaineOK to Post
From: Babbo6@aol.com
I
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002can understand your feelings and hatred for whites. I am a white mail 65 years of age. I consider myself to be an elder of my race just as a native American of my age would. I attended the 125th anniversary of the battle of the little Big Horn not as a decedent of the 7th Calvary or as a decedent of the native Americans who fought there. I went to learn!!! and feel!!.
I have since then read many books including Bury my heart at wounded knee, Crazy Horse HOKA HEY!, Geronimo, The BlackFeet, and Blackfoot lodge tales.
I wear a Lakota made ring with bear claws on it. I wear a Hopi made silver bracelet named 6 bears. I consider myself to be an environmentalist and believer in (Someday it will come back to the land). The buffalo population has increased from a mere 1500 to over 400,000 due mostly to Native Americans using the land left for them to raise the buffalo. I will continue to learn more of your people and your spirituality and will wear proudly, and spiritually the native American jewelry I have purchased.
You may print this and respond if you want to.
Jim Hoover
Babbo6@aol.com
From: David & Susan Walker nufolk@bigplanet.com
Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2002Osiyo,
The Shawnee treaty of 1835(?) was the first place the Federal government invented "blood quantum," an ingenious device for limiting who was "truly Indian" from who was "not." When my Scottish ancestors fled the English after the war of Bonnie Prince Charlie, they had suffered having their family tartans banned and their family names removed. Many were massacred. That sounds familiar. As they migrated to the shores of North Carolina, they met more English so many fled to the Smokies where they nearly starved. They begged Tsalagi people, the Ani-Yun-Wiya (Cherokee), for help. They were 'adopted' and many intermarried with the tribe. To this day, there are many who claim to be 'Scots-Cherokee.' Few if any are enrolled. On the Trail of Tears, white blond-haired blue-eyed people died who did not speak English but only Cherokee after having lived their culture for generations. In your opinion, were they Indian people?
These days, it is fashionable for many to denigrate those with fairer skin who claim Native heritage as 'wannabes.' This word is all through your Declaration and is an insult to people like me. It also represents your own issues with internalizing the Federal government's system of oppression. There is nothing Indian about skin color.
My Tsalagi ancestors were forced to deny their heritage. They intermarried with white people and migrated along the Trail of Tears to resettle in Missouri after being robbed of their land in Georgia and Tennessee. In Missouri, if you signed the Dawes Rolls and identified yourself as Indian at that time, all land claims you had were considered null and void. Many were run off their land and took refuge along the rivers where they were massacred by vigilantes.
Perhaps you forget that their are families who lived in such fear that their connections to their culture were lost. So much hatred was fostered between Native people over this disconnection at that time that it has been passed down through the generations to distinguish who is 'in' and who is 'out' in 'being Indian.' Whose cause is furthered by such hatred and division?
In my family, numerous ancestors made efforts to apply for enrollment at the turn of the century and were denied. Not by Cherokee people of the time but by Federal commissioners! Cherokee, Creek, Montauk, Scot, English, and African were hopelessly intermixed. On this basis, they could say who we 'are' and who we 'are not.'
Perhaps you have forgotten that, at one time, millions of Native people inhabited this land and that policies of forced assimilation were, unfortunately, often successful in destroying this connection for many people. On the other hand, many of those of white and mixed blood who intermarried, even among your own people, were considered members of the community in full standing while living among them. John Ross, my ancestor, was only 1/8 Cherokee and 7/8 Scot but he fought to the bitter end on behalf of his people.
Shall I believe I am only 'part Scot' by your 'wannabe' rhetoric? It truly hurts to see the websites and writings that mock 'white people with Cherokee princesses' in their family histories. A tribal elder told me that I should instead be ashamed to say I'm 'part Cherokee' rather than 'all Cherokee.' Better to be part Scottish and all Cherokee.
I would like to know who among you who wrote this declaration of war is a 'full blood'? And, in your pride, do you recognize that this is itself a white man's invention?
Maybe you are suggesting that those trying reclaim the spiritual and cultural heritage lost in their own families should be forcibly kept out-- just as the Federal government outlawed your own participation in these ways for so many years? Whose agenda are you pushing?
I think you should jealously guard your spiritual practices from thievery and exploitation. After all, those people making money off of them must be stopped-- they are feeding off a spiritual hunger that is inappropriate for white people. White people are dead spiritually anyway, right? Let them stick with their own empty beliefs, like Christianity. Let them have their 'church' and you have yours. Sure, they have their television evangelists and hypocrites exploiting their beliefs too. But don't let them 'take away' your beliefs. Those beliefs were given by Creator ONLY for the Lakota people. And everyone is totally clear on exactly who that is because the Federal government has told them so. So don't let Lakota beliefs be sold out from underneath you.
If I sound facetious, I am. I have Lakota friends and have gone to sweat with many sundancers-- pure breds and mutts!
What is the purpose of the White Hoop and Black Elk's vision anyway (yes, I know he is Oglala)?
Do you see the oppressors as subhuman in their efforts to engage with your beliefs? Perhaps instead they are hungry ghosts. Do you have compassion for hungry ghosts or is it better to feed them hatred with declarations of war?
In my opinion, your own spiritual power as Lakota people could easily respond to all this hunger by recognizing your place in helping it rather than starving it.
Idon't dispute that the 'new age' profiteering is very ugly and should be exposed and challenged. I don't think anyone should profit financially from teaching or practicing sacred ways.
Yet I notice some of the signers are associated with a college-- do you discuss Native spiritual beliefs in your courses? Are Christian or students of other religions requested not to write anything down if you mention medicine wheel or 4 directions? Are they asked not to think about such ways in their own spiritual lives because 'that's stealing'? What about Indian people who happen to be Christian? Should they cover their ears or should you send missionaries to 'convert them back'?
It seems ludicrous to try to contain the Creator's will.
Maybe Trickster is teaching us something through your efforts. But it is not what you think. Hypocrites are everywhere. I am continually made humble by my own. But I believe fearless loyalty to truth and a good heart will eventually win out.
I appreciate your position and respect you for taking it. But I don't agree with you. Oppression is not only 'out there' with the people you oppose and 'declare war' against.. It is also inside you in what you have written in this borrowed language. Thank you for your words anyway.
And thank you for considering my own.
Niksokuwa
Hanagwo Agwana hlana'hi! Wahdoh!
ALL my relations
Dave Walker
5th Generation Grandson of Elizabeth Gibson, a Tsalagi-African slave who walked the Trail of Tears
5th Generation Grandson of Matthew Barlow, Scot-English-Cherokee murdered for refusing to accept a gift of slaves from his Tsalagi relatives
6th Generation Grandson of Elizabeth Alexander, a Tsalagi woman who hid her heritage to save her home
10th Generation Grandson of Wyandanch, Chief of the Long Island Montauk, nearly annhilated by the Pequot for befriending the English and conspiring against them
Ok to post this
From: Graham coalition99@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, October 25, 2002i am a normal (or so i like to believe) scotsman, i am proud of my country and of some of my history and my heritage. I have visited several wacipis in the summer and met many native americans mainly lakota. my life has been changed by these interactions i have found a spirituality never before experianced in my life and i do not wish to rob anything from their culture but to respect it to honour it and to follow it in day to day life whenever i can, they showed me kindness not even my own people have shown me and i am eternally grateful to the lakota nation for waking my senses. i long to become more than an observer but it would not be right i could never be part of something so intricate and delicate, my whiteness and clumsiness would surely detract from the beauty of it all.
graham martin
ok to print
From: Sirona Horn darkmoom@yahoo.com
You may feel free to post this.
Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2002
I whole-heartedly agree with the Declaration of War against exploiters of Lakota spirituality. I think that should be extended to exploiters of idigenous peoples of the world. The weekend-shaman's and new age "Indian" wannabe's are highly irritating, not to mention they spread misinformation about native cultures and spirituality. People can't seem to comprehend that for a Native person, you just don't go to a sweat lodge once a week and then you are automatically spiritual. It's ingrained in the culture. You cannot separate it.
I, like most people in America today who's families have been here for more than a generation or two, have some Native American in me. I've been told Lakota, Cherokee, and Powhatan, but I haven't taken the time to research it. I know I have enough native blood in me to get grants or whatever, but I would rather save that for people on the rez who actually need it (and deserve it) more than I. I look mostly white. I have light hair and eyes, and I feel like I would look like an idiot to go tell the world that I am Native American. I also feel that it would be disrespectful for those who grew up on a reservation, or in the culture. My hope is that there can be education for those who don't understand REAL Native ways. I hope that there will be more correct books out there in the future, and that they will outnumber things like "Urban Shaman" and books by Brooke Medicine Eagle. Ug. I also feel that it's hard for those of us with mixed race to come to terms with what the white part did to the red part. It's hard to make peace sometimes with both halves of ourselves. Also, many white people they feel they have no culture or spirituality. Europeans were also tribal people at one time, different in many ways than the Native Americans, but also similar. Perhaps they should remember this, and honor it, instead of ripping off other cultures.
Sirona Horn
From: Mflstrom azhrei_anakha@yahoo.com
yes, gladly if you will post it sir
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002
White man did come to the Americas as he did to many other places, and did destroy it as soes he everything else.
I am a white man, but I respect the Lakota, souix, and other Native American tribes. I may be white, but I have lived around indians (or native american's whichever you favor) many of my years, but one thing I have noticed: there are destructive forces in all races, but there is also good. There may be twisting of ancient traditions, but there are those whom will keep it as pure as it was two hundred or more years ago, may they be white, black, yellow, or indian. As was proved by Lakotian elders many years ago: it is not the color or anything else you can see for that matter that will make the person, but their spirit. There may be few who try and keep the knowledge, much less keep it pure, there are those who will, and do try.
Fn Carter, USN
From: Wenona W n8tive_star@hotmail.com
As I read through these responses from people around the world all I can do is laugh. The justifications so many non-Indians have as to why they want to "share" our ways of life are nonsense. Our sacred ways and practices aren't merely some relgion you can pay your way into or study in a book, its our ways of life. For years and years we struggled to be who we are. Now you think you can come and pick in choose what part of our life you want. You dont' live in poverty, deal with alcoholism, face constant racism, have a silly stereo-type embedded with you for your entire life. These are the thing millions of Native Americans face day after day. The one thing we hold on to, the thing that has given us the will to survive, is suddenly the latest fad to sweeep acrosse the globe. Please just get some respect, so many of us are finally proud and not ashamed to be Indian, let us live our lives and find your own...
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002
you have permission to post this
From: Karen Kilburn blujean69@earthlink.net
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 Free to Post
To Whomever I should apologize
I don't know whether to feel as if I have violated something sacred or been violated by someone teaching something sacred. I have come back to this site time and time again trying to reconcile myself for the things I have seen and done. I am a white woman, to my knowledge I have no native blood running though my veins, though as an adopted child one never knows, and with such a fervent respect for your beautiful Lakota Traditions, one can but hope.
as a young woman 12 years ago or so, I met a man who claimed to be Lakota. At the time I had no idea that I was spiritually seeking anything, but gradually was taught to pray and sweat. I learned a great deal about self sacrifice, and I am sure the spirits brought me visions that I in no way was entitled to. This man asked for no money, and simply gave his time to show these things to me. That was 12 years ago, and since we parted ways, there has been a deep aching and emptiness in my soul. I have lived many, many years in silence because deep down I am just not sure why I was allowed this glimpse into your spiritual traditions. I was not aware at the time that what I was doing was wrong or bad. All I know is that I was swept away by the most powerful experiences that I have ever had in my life. It is still hard to write about them because I do not have the right words and tears cloud my vision when I even try to bring them up. All I know is that by the medicine he b! rought to my life, I was allowed just a small glimpse of the divine. It is still often hard to reside in the material world knowing that the spiritual world is all around me and I am not able to find my way back, or to even know that I am meant to. I am drawn back here time and again trying to piece my spirit back together. It is a guarantee that delving into spiritual matters that one is unfamiliar with is bound to be painful. I have kept a lifetime of experiences bottled up inside me because nobody in my family or culture would understand, and seemingly with this declaration of war I would be a fool to express anyway. I feel so much like just a stupid wasichu woman with a secret nobody wants to hear. I will cry forever for the spiritual harm I may have done. This is deeply personal for me, and is very painful to admit. I have suffered a long time. I am sorry.
--- Karen Kilburn
From: Jarnawulf@cs.com Jarnawulf@cs.com
you may print this
Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2002
Listen folks, it is all very simple. If you are of European descent, then search out your your roots. The problem is that you have been torn from your roots because of Christianity and you are only vaguely aware of what our ancestors beleived before the advent of xiandom. Well, let me explain. Our ancestors practiced pre-christian Indo-European religions. The Teutons, Celts, Greco-Romans, and Slavs all had a beleif in many Gods and Goddesses as well as spirits that dwelled in the land, sea, and air. They lived by specific ethical codes (mostly surrounding that of honor and duty to ones gods and kinfolk), and participated in seasonal religious festivals as well as private rites honoring ones personal deity as well as the spirits of land, sea, and air. Ancestral worship was (and is) an important aspect of anceint Indo-European religions. The two "tendencies" in the magical practices of the anceint Indo Europeans was that of "sorcery" (which is more or less "sha! manic", th.i. drawing specific energies from nature and reshaping it towards acheiving material ends, going into a trance as a means to communicate with spirits and travel into other worlds, and shapeshifting as well as a few other "shamanic" techniques) and "high magic" (which is more or less "psychecentric" as apposed to "nature based" and tends to make use of a set of symbols that underlie psychological and natural patterns and are tools for the exploration and modification of consciousness and nature). For an example, the magus (greek magician), wizard (teutonic magician), and druid (celtic magician) would be an examples of "high magic" practicitioners, where as the gwiddon (celtic sorceror), sorceror (greco-roman), witch (teutonic sorcery) and vampire (slavic sorceror) would be examples of sorcerers, or "european shamans".
It is virtually pointless for a person of european descent to participate in native american ceremonies.....our ancestors had their own. Also, according to the theories behind "genetic memory" ones spiritual developement would actually be hindered if they attempted to practice a religion that is not of their ancestors. The purpose of spirituality is knowing thyself. By participating in a religious ritual that ones ancestors participated in they are making use of archetypal symbolism that will unlock hidden ancestral memories, which will lead to self knowledge. In fact, one can find that many of their neurotic problems could be linked to these hidden factors. The purpose of religion and spirituality is not to surround themselves in dazzling and exotic imagery as a means to escape reality and "feel good" (which is the real reason why many folks of european descent participate in Amerindian religious ceremonies), as I pointed out before the purpose of spirituality/religion is to better understand ones Self and grow into an integrative and wholistic person. If one rejects the ways of their ancestors then how can this be possible? It is not possible to cut a tree from its roots and graft it on to other roots. A tree torn from its roots will wither and die. An interesting is that in many forms of Indo-European religions a tree is a symbol of the body-soul complex (as well as the universe as a whole, but then again in Indo European thought every person is a microcosm and is a reflection of the macrocosm). What is interesting is that Hinduism (an Indo-Aryan religion) is a modern survival of an Indo-European religion. In any event anyo! ne who wants some info on what I have written above should feel free to email me at Jarnawulf@cs.com or raging_viking@yahoo.com.-Isenwulf
From: Aloosenut@aol.com
You may post this on the website.
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2002
I never considered myself a very religous person for most of my life because I had difficulties with many of the practices in our local church. I never lost my faith and love for our "Creator" though. I''ve read many books on the Lakota (always trying to obtain the ones that most accurately describe "history") and I have developed a sincere respect and admiration for a truly amazing group of people.
My husband had been going through an extremely difficult time the last 2 years and has desperately tried to resolve many issues that were disrupting his life. We spent a month in Wyoming and South Dakota this summer, hoping the solitude would help him think. While there, we took long hikes and sometimes just sat and meditated as we watched the sun set. I have always felt close to nature, but during this trip it was as if every sense in my body was awakened. A black raven followed us everywhere, squawking at us and sometimes just dancing in the sky for us. We named him "Frank" (after a very dear friend who just died.) For weeks, "Frank" was with us where ever we went.(I know ravens are common in the area, but this one was different) It wasn't until later in the trip that I learned the Raven is a messenger for those who have passed. I cannot tell you what a comfort that bird was for us. As I stated earlier, I was hoping this trip would help my husband, but I found myself ! gaining a deeper spirituality that I wasn't even aware was in me. I told my husband that I felt as if I were given a gift. He said nobody gave me anything....it was always there, I just had to find it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is; I'm not a wannabe. Our Creator is there for us all. I do want to learn more about Lakota traditions and spirituality, but I do not wish to exploit it in anyway. Everything I have learned and experienced has made me a better person. The things I ask for are not selfish things. I ask for strength to be a better person, to understand people different then myself and to be able to pass this knowledge on to future generations. I am a 9th grade Earth Science teacher and I want to do the best job I can. I would never pass on false information or try to pretend to be something I am not. I do not wish to offend anyone or "steal" a religion. I do not agree with the people who are out there charging money or pretending to be a Holy Person, but I also believe that these same people will not truly find peace in their lives and will only have to answer for their actions in the next life.
Thank you for listening.
ciao,
linda Selvaggio
Bayport,New York
From: Bumpsalot45@aol.com
You have my permission to post my response.
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2002
I will start by telling you that I am not of American Indian descent. I was born in Germany, adopted by citizens of this country, and brought here as an infant.
I am in total support of this, and many other statements I have read recently regarding the blatant theft of the Lakota Spirituality. I know I will probably never be able to participate, unless adopted by a tribe. I have learned many things about the Lakota people. The general beliefs are truly beautiful and inspirational. But I know nothing of the specific prayers or ceremonies. I feel that this is as it should be!
Those who rape and pilage these sacred ceremonies must be stopped! They must be publicly exposed as the fakes they are, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!
The Lakota people have been persecuted from many sides throughout history: the land and their traditional way of life were stolen; their basic rights as fellow humans have been denied. Even now, in the 21st century, the U.S. government is in violation of the Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1851 on a daily basis, in the interest of "the almighty dollar!" To top it all off, now their sacred ceremonies are being "bastardized" and stolen and sold for profit!
The prejudices and stereotypes many whites have assigned to the American Indian are the results of ignorance and fear. I must confess that when I think of these things, I am ashamed to be lumped into the category of "white," and I hope no one holds that against me.
Respectfully,
Rosie Brown
From: Empather33@aol.com
**You have my full permission to place my comments on your website.**
Sent: Friday, August 09, 2002
I am Sarah, of 3/4 Italian and 1/4 French descent. My ancestors came to this country slightly before and after 1900, as did many Italians of that time. While both sides of my family were Roman Catholic externally, I have a maternal great-grandmother who practiced Stregheria (Italian folk magick) and a paternal great-uncle who practiced Masonry (European ceremonial magick). I have left the Roman Catholic Church and am now a Taoist (NOT taught by the Chinese and NOT using Chinese rituals or sacred objects).
I think that the Wannabes and New Agers who are appropriating First Nations culture, sacred traditions and practices should be dealt with. I have no problem with demonstrations, boycotts and press conferences (or other uses of the press) by the Lakota. The bringing of white people onto your sacred lands to conduct your sacred ceremonies for money and their selling of sacred objects is utterly insulting. However, I do think that acts of direct intervention could lead to violence which would be really sad and completely unnecessary. I believe that Mother Earth will dole out justice to these people in Her own time and in Her own way. They will not go unnoticed by the Creator for their disrespect and abuses.
As for the Wannabes and New Agers who come from a Christian background, there is a perfectly good form of nature-oriented spirituality that they could be exploring - Franciscan spirituality - and a few traditional Christians (Catholic and Protestant) are requesting that it be taught in their churches. I can't speak about non-Christian faiths and religions, but I'm sure that equivalents to Franciscan spirituality exist in every one of them. It is not necessary to rape and pillage Indigenous spirituality and then to profit from it, especially since the First Nations peoples have been so horribly abused already. It's just wrong.
I'd like to put in a word for white people raised Christian. Many of us white "moderns" are hungry for some connection to the Earth and Sky - and to our own bodies - which church authorities have not taught us for many years. White people have souls too; to the spirit world, our souls look just like those of Indigenous people. And while most of us will never achieve the deep connection to the Universe that Indigenous peoples have achieved, we can do what we can do. Spirituality doesn't have to be a damn Olympic event! The Creator looks at our hearts first.
Anyways, what about the Sacred Visions of Black Elk? From my understanding of prophecy, there will come a time in our near future when Red and White people will stand side by side to honor Mother Earth and Father Sky. And my guess is that it will be mostly the young people. What are you going to do then? Break up the ceremonies because the people participating aren't racially "correct"? That would be reverse racism, wouldn't it? Just wondering.
Peace and love,
Sarah (Empather33@aol.com)
Syracuse, NY
From: The Scheidlers lightnorth@vermontel.net
In this time of the sacred Sundance, prayers for all good people. May we cling to Mother Earth as she is being shaken and turned upside down. Listen. The Creator is an artist who painted all things in beautiful detail beginning with the the beat of the heart and ending with the breath. Beware brothers and sisters of any who paint with broad brushes. Broad brushes eliminate beauty, eliminate detail, paint over truth. Broad brushes are for painting walls. That is all is all they are good for. Walls made of paint and no substance.
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002
But the Creator made houses for our spirits out of skins: red; black, yellow, white. Because the Creator likes color: (Red bird, white bird, blue, bird yellow bird. Color makes the Creator smile.) The Creator put a fire at the center of the house and an opening in the top so that the light can enter and the smoke exit. The Creator put a door for the sacred breath, and also to bring in what we need and give away what is unnecessary.
Peace to all who understand this, and peace to all who share this sacred walk. May you be strong. May your prayers be answered. Prayers for all human beings and all nations of any color who dance and who suffer that the people may live.
Greetings and thanks to the Lakota people.
Mitakuye Oyasin,
A.Ragnhild.Scheidler
You may print this
From: Iris.Eizenhoefer
hello! first of all, your right. but,.... if i am white, all my relatives in past are killed by church, nobody left with knowledge, and i find a connection to the spiritual way of your oyate, can't we be like brothers and sisters? without racism and hate? i understand your anger very well, i honour your tradition, your sacred path. is it wrong to follow, when there is nothing left, nothing true in white man's world? excuse me while i try to live the very little knowledge i may have about your way. its just like you know, there is nothing left in white man' s world. so i ask you to teach me, or anybody else, who dosn't want to exploit your sacred way. whith respect and sorry for my bad english, a whtite brother
Sent: Monday, August 27, 1956 (editor's note-- computer calendar set wrong -- arrived July 25, 2002)
i hoped for an answer to my questions. you can publish please with no e- mail adress cause its not mine. me and others were praying in sweatlodges, on vision- quest, but iktomi took over the leader. so i know what can happen when people use your spirituality without establishing the 7 th direction. there are honestly fine people, good from heart who want to learn for the benefit of all beings your way of praying. again: is it wrong? some don't want to steal, exploit. they want to give back what their race took away from the planet. i feel ashamed for my nation, for my race, they left the way. so i pray. mitakuye oyassin
From: Theresa ttlc@networksplus.net
I give consent to repost this oppinion.
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002
I am a mixed blood. Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Scotch-Irish, and English. My Teacher is a Lakota Elder. He teaches me to "overlook" and "if the Sun going to rise and nobody is going to get killed, leave it to Creator". He teaches me that we are all relatives and should be tolerant of others, for they may just be ignorant and not know what they are doing. He says to be kind to everyone, everything and always ask permission before you take anything, and always give something special back. He tells me that Inipi is for purification, healing, dedication and to make us strong. All of my life, I've been Spiritual. Feeling like a freak because no one understood about Spirits, so I never had people to talk to and learn from as a child. When I was finally ready, They led me to my Teacher and I felt complete. My heart is breaking knowing that the Lakota Elders declared war; especially if they are Medicine; maybe some are warriors; it feels very political to me. I understand that there are frauds out there, and I don't like that either. But I got the feeling that the Elders are also targeting people like me, those who are Walking in a Sacred Manner but not of Lakota blood. My Teacher tells me that "many people are drawn to the Lakota Way because it is a good way". I read about an Elder who wanted an answer about this "wannabe problem" so he went into the Inipi and asked the Spirits. He said that the answer he received was, "if we let them, then everyone will want to join a tribe". I do believe him, and believe that is exactly what They said. But, was that answer meant to be negative or positive. He took it as negative. But think about it, you can't grow if you don't allow yourself to grow, that goes for numbers as well. Would it be a bad thing to have our beliefs spread out? More people walking with our Mother and taking care of Her. More people believing that honnor is important; and survival and success isn't based on how well you lie. More people respecting the fact that "you cannot tell a person what their Medicine is" Our beliefs will surely die out if they aren't passed on. As time goes on, all blood becomes mixed. We cannot change this, for it is Creators Will. However, it is the Responsibility of all Elders to pass on their Wisdom and Knowledge to the younger generations. This is the way of things. I wonder if the Elders who declared war, have become jaded and lost sight of where their paths are. Sometimes, if you stand still long enough, the grass will grow over your path and make it hard to see or even find again. I speak from my heart; I do not intend to offend, but appologize if I have done so.
Sincerely
TC
From: Henry Sporleder jbsorhcs@cal-net.net
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 sure. post it if you want
It is not easy being half-breed. Half white and half native american. I was adopted by whites at birth and flat out lied to about my heritage. (They told me I was dark-skinned because I was Italian!!!) I reckon they were ashamed of my true genetic identity.
Well, when I say it is not easy being a half-breed... I mean that neither side fully accepts you. Does this make any sense? I have always felt like an outsider. And naturally, I hold more grudges against the whites than the reds. For it is the white man that holds all the power and money and makes the laws which govern all colors in the USA. How I wish I was full-blooded native American instead of stuck in the middle of white and red.
I am sick and tired of the white-man's abuse of power. I am not racist at all. This is just in my heart. I feel soon there will be an up-rising. And it won't be pretty. One question. About the sacred wheel of the 4 directions. The 4 colors represent the four races on Earth. I know white is white-europeans... gaurdians of fire, and black man from Africa... gaurdians of water, and Yellow man are orientals.. gaurdians of the air. And Red man the native americans... gaurdians of the earth. But I have a question. Under what catagory does the arab fall into?
From: allan soifer mailto:alsoifer@rogers.com Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002
This message may be openly posted
I am an ignorant white man, of middle age. I do not profess to understand all of the rage, the disappointment, and the seclusion of my Brothers of the First Nations (sometimes called Indians by other men.)
Being of Hebrew ancestry, I am acutely aware of what it is like to have my faith, my heritage and religion stolen from me. However, If I crave a deeper spiritual understanding of this planet, and how I fit in to the eco-structure, should I not turn to the ways of my Native Brothers - those who have kept the sacred songs and customs? Is it wrong for me to earnestly desire to emulate those First Nation peoples and their music, their prayer customs, and other cultural modes?
It is claimed that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, therefore may I be permitted (and others like me who desire only truth) to learn of, to sing, to drum, to chant, to meditate like the Lakota. My desire is only to learn from those who already have learned.
allan soifer
Ottawa, Canada
From: "J. Mikael Togneri" togneri@apex.ne
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2002Greetings,
Having read the debate on the issue of the declaration of war against the corruption and abuse of holy rites and customs of the Sioux peoples, I find it necessary to chip in, for what it's worth. The following may be used, in full and unaltered form, in any capacity that furthers support for that declaration.
Nothing could be more eloquent support for the declaration of war than Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm's own response to it. Not only does it miss the point entirely, by trying to write it off as a message of hate against people, when it is in fact very clearly a message of hate against those people's actions - it also shows a fundamental ignorance of the other faiths mentioned therein. Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm discusses faiths as a form of name-dropping, as if mentioning them could lend validity to the statements. But when one is to resort to name-dropping, one should at least be careful to drop the right names in the right context.
In the statement on Yahoo, Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm contends, among other things, that:
>>Other Celts, or Kelts lived, fished and farmed along the rugged seacoasts of Europe and were very much Earth loving People. Their way of living was much like that of our Indian Families here in America. Our Earth Mother was worshipped and women had an equal voice in the Tribe and government. As an example: Thor and his wife Thora were the thunder and the rain. Odin and his wife Uddern led the Hunt.<<
This is Norse mythology, a religion practiced by the Scandinavians, not by our Celtic "cousins-by-marriage", as it were. Thor's wife is not called Thora, but Sif or Siv, and it is Thor's goats, not Thor himself, that are responsible for thunder and lightning. Odin's wife is Frigg, not Uddern - and neither of them ever did much hunting.
>>Freiya (pronounced Fr - eye - ya) and her Brother Freya (pronounced as Fra yah) were respected and worshipped as Light and all growing things.<<
That's Freyja (pron. frei-ya) and her brother Freyr (pron. fri-yer"), and they are the goddess of sensuality and the god of fertility, respectively.
>>We get the word Free and Freedom from the word Freiya.<<No we don't. We get it from the word "frið", which means "peace". A very telling origin, certainly, but it has nothing to do with Freyja and Freyr whatsoever.
>>The People of Freiya were called Freiya's People -- or Free People.<<
The People of Freyja are called Danes, and Denmark "Freyja's Hall."
The list goes on, apparently without end. Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm's reply to the declaration of war shows why it is a just declaration. The home-made fabrications that have absolutely nothing to do with the real Norse religion, speak for themselves. If the distortions of the Sioux faith is anything like this, then they certainly have just cause to declare this war.
A war *is* necessary. But unlike Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm's assertions, it is not a war of violence. It is a war of *spirit*, for the sake of preservation of true, ancient and demonstrably desecrated and corrupted values. It is not an "us" and "them" issue, but an issue of spiritual survival for all.
It is not that the Scandinavians or the Sioux or anybody else is particularly special, it's that *everybody* is. Each of us carries a sliver of the Truth. By joining forces, all of humankind may one day together complete the Puzzle of Truth. But not by lumping us all together in an indistinct soup in the name of tolerance - but with *true* tolerance, that acknowledges our differences, and revels in our diversity.
As to my own credentials? Well, I am a Dane and my religion is the Forn Siðr, the ancient pagan religion of my people (not to be confused with the modern, home-made Asatru, which bears little or no resemblance to the real thing). When I look at an essay like Hyemeyohsts (Wolf) Storm's and then the declaration of war against the abuse and corruption of holy rites and symbols, I can relate so very well.
You see, only half a century ago, the Nazis did exactly that to my religion. Love, light, brotherhood and peace? Not quite the result of the Nazi corruption of the Norse religion. Instead, it robbed us of one of our most cherished symbols, the swastika, by turning it into a symbold of hate and bigotry and unspeakable crimes against humanity. It robbed us of a major part of our identity when even today our religion is accused of being supremacist and isolationist, because we contend that bloodline and ancestry matter.
This is highly dangerous stuff, and should not be fooled around with by the ill-informed. Europe's recent history speaks its devastating language with exceptional clarity: this is what happens when Truth is corrupted. So yes: bring on the war because it is a just war, in defence of the very thing that makes us human. Love and light are the results of truth, not its prerequisites.
J. Mikael Togneri
Hawesville, Kentucky
From: "Hawk Petty" tawodi44@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 24 May 2002I do hereby give Raymond Bucko permission to post this message to his site. Carl "Soaringhawk" Petty
To Whom It May Concerne: My name is Carl "Soaring Hawk" Petty. I am Cherokee/Choctaw decent. My Mother was a full/pure blood Cherokee,my Father was a half Choctaw. So my blood should not be questioned. I have known Manny Twofeathers for a couple of years now. As a American Indian who has had the trianing of my elders and knows our beliefs I would like to take this opportunity to speek on this matter.
I went on my vision quest at nine years old; just as the old ways said do this. My vision was clear. Not the first year but later on. I was to dedicate my life to the medicine of helping others. During my teachings and my teaching I have seen many things about our people. One of them is the fact that none seem to agree on just about anything. As far as sacred ceremonies go they belong to the Creator and those who honor him. Not any one tribe. Our Lakota brothers are strong and I honor all of them but they seriously need to look inside and ask themselves why they are trying to control how and who worships the sacredness of the Great Spirit. For is he really so limited that anyone can limit him? To say anything of spiritual nature can be owned or controled is simply ludicrus. For every Native people I have met believe in the reincarnation theories. with this in mind who is to say that somewone white did not live before as a Lakota Sundancer. Maybe even one of t! he most reveered Dancers and medicine people sent back to finish their journey of sacredness in the Sundance. To unknowingly to themselves help with the energies and the power or sacredness to help with this sacred ceremony to breath honor and wisdom with it. To help keep this ceremony as sacred as possible so it may (as we believe ) continue as it is so necessary.
I am a piercing Sundancer as well. So tell me of this ceremony. For I have been there and felt its power. I have suffered right along with some of these people who are so strong with their beliefs. It as most know is not a easy ceremony to complete. But we were there suffering as hard while we prayed from our hearts as any other Sundancers. I have seen its healing powers and the connections it gives the individuals who participate in this sacred of ceremonies. And guess what my Sundance Chief is none other than Manny Twofeathers. I have to fight the anger when I hear anyone speek poorly of him and his vision of the Sundance for if you were with this mans spirit in any of our sacred ceremonies then you would understand his heart is with our anscestors and the spirits in doing what they ask of him. So you Lakota thinking people out there who believe that this ceremony is yours and yuours alone you need to go into the Inipi and ask the! spirits and yes the Wakan Tanka himself what you should really be saying about this honorment of this ceremony being done by other than Lakota blooded people. For I garentee you will be given the answer that it is ok for other than Lakota blooded people to do this ceremony as long as it is done with the old ways adheard to and they are truely Sundancers praying from their hearts. It is you who say so often All my Relations. Well my brothers guess what ? We are your relations as well as everyone else. We will continue to pray for you as well as the rest of our relations as we continue to do our Sundances all over this great country. If you are being true to the Creator you will give us honor and realise we are no different than you. Except for the fact that you have the luxury of not being contested all of the time of your sincerety. We won't go into the fact of how many of your Sundancers are missing their dances because of being jail for drunkedness and the like. So tell me ! who is the most sincere Sundancer the one who has Lakota blood and goes through the motions or the ones who may not have Lakota blood and lives the way of the Sundancer? I don't mean to badmouth anyone but just ask you to look iside for these answers. Mitaque oyasin! We are all truely related. Soaringhawk , Sundancer , Spiritual Leader
From: Jon Brewer :man_in_black529@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002I give permission for it to be posted on your site.
It's not really surprising how so many New Agers have flamed this.
I recently heard someone ask me if wannabes could be allies. In actuality, many New Agers have actually gone against Indian causes. NAMA thinks that sovereignty is racist. And at least one case - Wolakota Waldorf School - was actually teaching Indians THEIR version of Lakota beliefs - and their version was one of white supremacy.
Some New Agers commit obvious sacrelige, calling themselves things like Pipe Carrier, or coming up with whole new titles like "Turtleheart" did with her Sweetgrass Lodge "Lodge Mothers."
Even worse, I really feel bad for those who are conned into believing these liars. In many cases, people have died from a fake sweat.
From: Gj28210@aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002This is a copy of my letter to Mr. Mesteth. You may publish it if you wish.
Hello to you, Mr. Mesteth,
In regard to war and your statement of war: The Lakotas are an honorable people and an admirable people, and among them you are an honorable and wise man. I offer you and the Lakota respect. I understand the resentment against the commercialization and misrepresentation of what is sacred to you. I am very glad that you have spoken out for what you believe and against what you find offensive.
However, in reading your word "wannabes", I think that the path of ridicule is an easy one, it causes much offense and accomplishes little. I am assuming that you believe that only those with 100% Native American ancestry and with tribal membership 'own' all the traditions and ideas, as if putting up a fence and having the proper documents gives any person ownership of some land. First, the traders who gave the indigenous peoples blankets infected with smallpox did not ask for DNA samples beforehand. And, the soldiers who shot and murdered people at Wounded Knee did not ask for a pedigree to prove that these victims were Indians. Second, can anyone own anything?
My ancestors who were called "The Wolf People" were not called that because they sat around wringing their hands and worrying that they might be offending someone or be hurting their feelings. In a spirit of respect and with thanks I borrow from the traditions of all people. This does not make me one of them, nor does it make me any better (nor any less) than anyone else. I am whoever I am; it has taken me a long time to learn this.
I would offer you and your people my hand in friendship,
George Johnson
1726 Tamworth Drive
Charlotte NC 28210
From: scott flues flues@intelos.net
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002no problem (to give permission to post)
I wouldent have ever viewed all the newagers and bookstores as being expliotive . we have some self described shamen or shamm men around here your traditons and paths are yours ,and you and your familys have paid in blood in an effort to keep your identity from being annilated by a systematic policy of phyiscal cultureal and spiritual (governmental endorsed genocide)(I hope i wasnt to soft spoken in that last statement) Thanks for opening my eyes
now that you have declaired war how do you win can you copyright can you withdraw creditability fron these fakes who certifies shamen (what a thought) ( If I read some materal and am 1/10 native american and am running around the suburbs in feathers charging 70$ (cash only in advance please )wouldent want to piss the guides off) for a consultation with the natine american guides I am in touch with can I declair my self a shamen (this is a disgusting but true example) on the other hand is this exploitation a fad that will die down If I see any one claiming to be shamen or a reincarnation of black elk (we have one of them to) I just slap them see I do have some spirtual gifts and dicernment and seeing truth is just one of them slaping folks who deserve it is another sometims the trip to jail is worth it please accept my appoligy on behalf of all gentel white folks of conscience and ethics thank you
scott flues (groundhog slapping spirteaglewannabe lodge walker)just kidding
From: Deb & Claude Pezet axismundi@hotkey.net.au
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002Yes I give permission for this to be posted.
I don't know if you are still posting as the last dates were 2000.
Our world so needs reconnection with the sacred, it is so very important for all races to reconnect with our natural world and find a balance with her that is life renewing. All cultures, who hold within the spirit and heart of their cultures ceremonial gifts, that could assist the earth and all life to return to a path that is balanced, healing and life giving need to consider that we are all brothers and sisters and our mother is crying out to us to change, our father is crying out for us to remember. If any culture holds keys, ways and maps for the human family to reconnect, then share those keys, ways and maps and do it fast so that life may go on and our earth may breath again.
It does not matter if only a part of the ceremony is remembered, if we can welcome spirit into our lives again, and touch the hearts of our brothers and sisters with love and healing, and cry our tears of forgetting into the earth mothers soil to heal her, then however we practice it is enough. It is what is held in the heart in the sacred space that opens the way to reconnection, not how eloquent, how right, how well placed in an ancestral line, what colour the skin; we are all related, we are all brothers and sisters to all of life.
We need to remove the walls and boundaries that seperate one culture from another and embrace each other with the gifts of spirit we carry for the good of the community of all life. All the earth can be restored to her sacred rite as the sacred ground for life and every inch of her sing the ceremonial songs that are repeated there by all hearts that will sing.
Share the knowlegde, renew the tree of all life, make large circles of community and sing the sacred songs loud with all our hearts. Share the knowledge, spread the wisdom, make it more infectious than a cold, heal the seperation, the hatred, the emphasis on differences. Embrace the hope of our future together. Get over our squabbling natures and fast. Get strong microphones and gigantic speakers and sing the sacred into life again, let everyone hear and learn. There is no time left to hold the truth wrapped in small bundles for only the few to see and know, we need the truth to be shared in large generous bundles for all to awaken to the call of these times.
Deborah Pezet ( Australia)
From: csbgrfreak@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002I have read some of the replies to this subject and am quite interested. Since childhood, i have been interested in Native American cultures. For the first couple years of my life i was taught the christian religion. I had stopped going early on because it conflicted with what i believe in and couldn't see myself associated with an religion that forced it's beliefs on others or went against their own beliefs. Since then, i've been looking at other religions to see if any of the beliefs fit with mine and to expand my understanding of those beliefs. Am I wrong to study part of a religion if i already believe in alot of its beliefs? I am not merely trying to take it to make it my own. What if there are people searching for a teacher, for they lack one? Who shall teach them? Who should teach them? Because the best way to learn is from someone who can question them and make them think. A book cannot do! this. Should a native turn them away because they do not belong through blood to the religion. Everything i know to be true and believe comes comes to me instinctively. But there is and always will be more to learn. However, I agree with the declaration on the fact that they should not falsly represent their beliefs for personal profit. But do u honestly know if those that study from them know that they are being mislead? And if they are learning it just to merely believe in something because it is popular, than they are wrong as well. If i am wrong in such things that i have stated, please write me for your feelings.
From: Sillypony112@cs.com
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002yes... (permission to post) sorry for not making that clear. thanks, matt
In response to declaring war on people who disrespect the traditional lakota ways, i think this may be the wrong fight for these people to be fighting. I my self am half indian, my mother is white (german), but my father is half Turtle Mountain Ojibway and half RockyBoy Ojibway. Although my grandparents are from the reservation my father was raised in the city. About 15 years ago my dad met a chief from the Rosebud reserve, he learned from him and helped him with many ceremonies including sundance, vision quest,healing ceremonies and many others. My dad is not a Lakota but that is the way he was taught. We recently (5 years ago) started to learn more about our own people, but living in the city (about 1500 miles away from Turtle Mountain) makes it difficult. We were fortunate enough to be in the same city as someone who has sweats every week at his house and was a direct link to indian ways. The Lakota are responsible for many people being able to pray in the indian way and we should only be so lucky as to be around them.
However, that does not mean I agree with the statement made from the grassroots people. Those people should be more concerned with making sure things are conducted properly and point people down the right path. We are all here now! No matter where we came from. I sing for my father and many traditional spiritual leaders, and i am half white and half Ojibway. I know my own language as well as Lakota. Most of the songs I sing are in Lakota, but i know some in Dine', Ojibway, and even Kiowa. To declare war on people who only want to learn and pray is worse than any kind of terrorism or what any government could do. The enemy is not the ones who pray the same as you. The enemy is not the whites. The enemy is the ones who tell you that you cannot pray a certain way. Saying what you said is worse than anthing the U.S. government ever did to indian people, because it is a step backwards from what the ones who came before us. I hope this is read by the ones who make these statements and please understand we need to work together in keeping the spirit alive for the future generations, the only ones who truly matter!
Mitakuye Oyasin
Matt, 22
Ojibway
From: renaldo dodge
rdodge@redred.com
Cc: rdodge@redred.com
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002
Subject: The Lakota Tribe has a Sacred Pipe.doc
The Lakota people have a Sacred Pipe. It is the branches of this Sacred Pipe that we carry. As Spiritual leaders we follow the procedures of our gifts that were given to us by the Pipe. Other tribes have their own ways to follow with their Sacred gifts. I believe that all Medicine people who are genuine and are following a good path should be allowed to stand up and speak out against any and all bogus Medicine people. Each tribe has traditional guidelines and it is important that our sacred ceremonies are conducted in the proper way. I respect all other Medicine people who are on the rightful path; I respect their way of prayer and ceremony.
I believe we should concentrate on stopping all fake Medicine people, of any race, including our own. No person has the right to pretend to be a Spiritual leader or Medicine person when it is not true. Nor should this be tolerated any longer. I believe the issue of bogus Medicine Men is the real issue, not prohibiting sincere, respectful non-Indians from praying to the Creator in our lodges or ceremonies.
Some people are abusing our ceremonies for self, and financial gain. There are people of other races conducting ceremonies; they claim that they were given the right to do so from a Spiritual leader who is legitimate. These people frequently charge a fee for attending a sweat lodge or a ceremony. They are conducting ceremonies without any training, permission, or proper procedures. It is also true that many of our own Indian people claim to be medicine people. Many times they are urban Indians, or people from other tribes who have lost touch with their own roots and traditions. These are lost people who attempt to be what they call ‘traditional’. They will apply for and get grants, [because they sometimes are very educated academically] with this grant money they offer our sweat lodge to the public by putting up notices and posters. This is not and never has been part of these sacred ways! Even if they do not charge a fee for what they do, they are out there making false statements concerning how they received their gifts. These people that do not have a gift, or have not had the proper training conduct the sweat lodge and doctor the people, but will never get any good results, because they have no connection to the true healing ways. These people are doing much harm to our own people who fall victim to the egos of these plastic medicine people. The bogus medicine people who are enrolled members of a tribe are the ones that truly hurt our own people. They conduct the Sweat lodge and other ceremonies and the people believe in them because they are Indian. There are people that look Indian but they are not, they make up a story that they are Indian, they sometimes even change their name so that they have more credibility. There is a non-Indian man that claims Indian heritage, who conducts sweats, and will doctor people and does not allow non-Indians to attend! I know that people with no guidance and no training pass out our plant medicines. True knowledge of our plant medicines cannot be learned from a book. It takes much knowledge and years of experience to be able to use our plant medicine. There is a procedure connected to the harvesting of the plant, you must know the correct time of year, you must have the correct knowledge of which part of the plant to use, how to prepare the medicine, how much to give to each individual. Without the correct Spiritual guidance using these plants could be harmful to the people coming for help. Medicine plants cannot be purchased at an herbalist store, the Spirits give a person a gift of the knowledge of the plants, and they will guide that person to the proper plants to use. People sell out our knowledge of the plants and even market them. Our own Indian people give public talks and speak about the use of our plants for healing, and which ones we use. This is a direct selling out of our ways. These are things that should not be talked about in public!
I see our Sacred Pipe being handed out to political persons as a token. I see our Pipe hanging on people’s walls being used as décor in their homes. The Pipe is Sacred and should be given much respect. I know that people who have not fasted with the Pipe are taking the Pipe in public and blessing schools and other things. They stand up in front of a crowd and pretend to do a ceremony. The Pipe should be kept with respect within the family home, and used only for prayer, or taken to the sweat lodge, or ceremony. The Sacred Pipe should be earned or handed down from a family member. A person who carries a Pipe should have knowledge of the Pipe, and fast with The Pipe, this person should also be responsible, honest, sincere, and worthy.
There are some non-Indian people who believe in this way of healing and prayer, there are some who conduct themselves in a sincere and respectful way. They attend the Sweat lodge and ceremonies and pray in a good way. There are many of our own red tribal people who do not believe in our traditional ways. They have chosen to attend church and pray to the Creator in that way, they say our old ways are heathen and evil some even go as far as to say that ceremonies are devil worship. Many people prohibit the young ones from learning our traditions and attending ceremonies. Some non-Indians are more sincere and have more faith and belief than some Indian people do. Many people of different tribes and races come to my Altar for many things. They come for healing, names, interpretation of dreams, they have offered flesh and have fasted, they have done so with good hearts and have been very sincere and respectful. Name giving to children or to others who are sincere and respectful should not be a race issue. Let us remember that all children are gifts from the Creator to the people. I do not believe enrollment on a reservation should be an obstacle to a name giving ceremony. The spirit of the person receiving the name will carry that name into the Spirit world, and the Spirit world sees no color. If there is different Creators and different Spirit worlds, where does the mixed blood persons spirit go when it passes? It has to be what is in a person’s heart that we look at, not the color of their skin. I have had Catholic Priests and Nuns attend ceremonies, they prayed in their own way to the Creator. We need to remember that there is only one Creator; he gave life to all of us, everywhere. What is different is the way we choose to pray. We all have the right as humans to pray in whichever way we choose, wherever we choose, as long as it is done with respect and sincerity.
These ways do not belong to any human being; we cannot own this. These ways belong to the Creator. We use this way of prayer for help and guidance but we do not own this, not in a sense that these ways can be like a possession. Who among us can say whom our Creator accepts and approves of? When it is said this person or that person cannot attend the sweat lodge or ceremonies it’s like saying we know as much or more than our Creator.
I have three young Granddaughters. The Grandfather Spirits watch over them and protect them. Twice one of these young ones has been doctored in ceremony . They have been with me to the sweat lodge, and they are learning about this way of life. They will be given a name through my Altar, from the Grandfather Spirits. These three little innocent girls are not enrolled on any reservation. They have Indian blood, but they are not enrolled. Life would be meaningless if my loved ones were not allowed to attend the sweat lodge or attend ceremonies because of a piece of paper saying they are enrolled members of a tribe.
I do not believe that all sweats and ceremonies can be conducted just on a reservation. Not all Medicine people live on a reservation, this is of their own wishes. There are instances when a person who does not live on a reservation is very sick and cannot travel. It is then necessary for the medicine person to travel to that person and perform a ceremony in that person’s home.
Our Grandfather and our Grandmothers Spiritual domain is within each of us. These lands known as reservations were forced upon us as people. Spiritual domain is connected to everyone, every place on this earth. Any place that ceremonies are conducted in a sincere, respectful, proper way, that place will be a spiritual place. The Spirits do not only look at a few places, the Spirits and the Creator are everywhere.
A true interpreter must communicate messages to the people. People of different tribes and races; most of these people do not speak or understand the old language. The Grandfather Spirits give these messages in Lakota and I as an interpreter relay the message in English. It is true that the Spirits communicate with the interpreter in their own language, and because I am Lakota that is the language spoken to me. But the Spirits understand English and any other language. The Spirits understand and know everything. I understand that there are bogus Medicine people who do not speak the native language and they say they are interpreters and that the Spirits speak to them in ceremony in English, this is not true, the Spirits speak in Lakota to a Lakota Spiritual leader. One must know their language if one is to be an interpreter!
People say they should and do have the right to watch the Medicine person and correct him if they feel he is doing something they consider wrong. In my own personal life people have attempted to do just that. They have gone as far to try and dictate to me who my wife should or should not be. My companion is not an enrolled member of a tribe. Because of this she has had to endure many remarks made to her about her race. These remarks are not made in a good way and I feel they are disrespectful to her and this is a disrespect done to me. People have said that I am not a real Medicine person or I must not be very traditional because of my own choice of a companion, a companion I am very happy with and love very much. My companion is very respectful and believes in this way of life. When I hear these things I am insulted because I have been a Spiritual leader since a very young age, I have been taught these ways from many of my old Grandfathers. I have fasted for many years and sacrificed much to help the people and now the people have grown very disrespectful and say these things. It could also be considered very disrespectful to a true chosen Medicine person who has many years of training and experience to be put under the scrutiny of any ‘entity’. There should not be any entity other than the Creator himself who can or should render guidance or offer corrective measures to a true Medicine person.
Predators have always been a threat to our Sacred traditions and beliefs, this has become a serious problem going back to the 1960’s.It is up to us to speak out and say how we feel about this. We must look at this from all areas of the circle of life. We must inform people that these predators are from all walks of life. They have chosen our sweat lodge, vision quests, Sundance, and Spiritual ceremonies for their own gain. Theses people are selfish, greedy and it exposes them as desperate men or women. This type of careless display on our turtle island is not wise or meaningful. These footsteps are not the proper examples for our young people or our future generations. These predators are not only our non-Indian brothers and sisters; they are of our own Indian people. It is my prayer that all people who are selling our Indian ways stop or be stopped. Our Sacred ways are being and have been sold by anyone who writes a book, or contributes to a book that describes how our ceremonies are conducted. Too much of our Sacred knowledge has been told to the public by the selling of books for financial gain.
I also pray that we as Indian people can look at ourselves and look at others with an open mind and accept other people only by the goodness of their hearts and not by the color of their skin. We are all created by one God, and the Creator made each of us, as he wanted us to be.
Renaldo Dodge Lakota Spiritual Healer
Topa Iyakige Wopinspin
Wounded Four Times
I give permission for this statement to be posted on the internet
From: jian littlebear broken420monk@yahoo.com
hello,
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002
i am part lakota you may post this note if you desire to. i was adopted refused knowledge of my bithright till my early twneties, was lost in many problems until i found the good red road, then my life came into order. i agree that it is tragic to bastardize the traditions of my grandmothers people it has been hard learning the old ways, and there is much to learn remains, i have encountered plastic shamen myself and it is tragic that the abuse of the sacred pipe and the sweat lodge exists it is also however tragic that it has been so difficult to learn my grandmothers tongue, the tongue i use to pray.it is sad that because i have white skin that the validty of my presence among my grandmothers people duuring times of prayer and ceremony is questioned that i have been called an ugly white man i may not have grown up on the reservation but i grew up feeling the anguish of my people and the anguish of my sacred mother earth. all my relations a bear of many names (ian ellison)
From: Bear Boy bearboy@telus.net
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002You may print or publish this in its complete, unaltered, original text. You may use my email address to facilitate any responses.
I applaud the sentiments expressed in this declaration. Everyone I meet is misguided about the way I live. I carry my Grandfather's name. He was a scout, then a hunter, then a warrior, then a medicine man and then a chief. I follow in his footsteps because he was my Grandfather. People try to understand my life instead of living theirs and so they fail to understand any of it. They read books and try to be something they are not.I needed help to know what I know. I would not have made it this far without help. I was taught by respected blanket men, in respected medicine societies. One of the things I was taught about was how to measure all things. I use what I learn from applying that standard. None of this way of life has never been written down because of the danger of misinterpretation. I think that people make things say what they want them to say, anyway. They hear what they want to hear. They behave badly when presented with this kind of information. People are careful when choosing a car or a house. They don't seem to spend as much time or effort on their spirituality. I am not surprised that people think more about the car or the house than about life. Living is hard work and learning about it just gives you more questions that require more living.You should ask yourself about relationships. How are you related to things? How about the meaning of things? Is there more than this? What are you missing? Have you checked your relationship with your Creator lately? Most people lie to themselves and others most of the time. If any of these questions caused you to react, then you are a person who lies to yourself and others. How much do you understand? These words will not be understood just by reading them. Words that are put on paper have no meaning unless you know the person who said them, know what actions lead to an understanding and then live that way. You can't be your own teacher. You need a place to start. Understanding takes years. Don't think that reading a book constitutes a way of life. Read words carefully and incorporate them in all that you think and do and you might experience enough of life to recognize the teachers. Action is a way of life, not words. The teachings in my society describe a way of life. Many people lay claim to that way of life. Few follow it. Some manipulate it for their own benefit. Some separate it from themselves by naming it. Some say they will explain it to you in easy terms. Not many live this way because few are generous and courageous enough to live through the experiences.
This is a strange time that we live in. I am an Indian who is a member of several medicine societies. I worked with plants and animals at a time when it was bad to be an Indian. Indians were looked down upon and suffered because of discrimination. Indians were very unpopular. I have been an Indian all my life. I was born an Indian and never allowed to forget that fact. I have been learning with and teaching Indians for more than a quarter century. I am related by blood to some of the most famous and misunderstood Indians of the last two centuries. It is still bad to be an Indian. I still am a member of those societies and I still work with plants and animals but now I suffer because of a very peculiar form of discrimination. It is now popular to be an Indian. I have met Non-Indians who claim to be better Indians than the Indians I have learned from. Many of these people are self proclaimed shamans, healers, medicine men or women, gurus, seers. According to them, they are better at it than those who carry on backed by more than thousands of years of experience and tradition. These instant achievers pluck their knowledge and wisdom from the air or other mysterious sources and carry no responsibility for the consequences of their actions.
Here are some guidelines for those who seek a truthful way of life. Understand that you are being deceived when:
The truths you seek are costing you in worldly goods and do not require generosity, courage, wisdom and compassion in your personal nature.... There are no practical, useful tools offered for dealing with your problems....You do not have to struggle to understand the way of life that is being taught.... The person teaching you has no verifiable elders whose wisdom they learned and now pass on to you.... You are not being taught how to recognize your elders....You are asked to believe all that is told to you on faith alone....
Matohokshila miyelo, mitakuye oyasin.
Biography:
I am a member of a tribal offshoot of the Lakota (Sihasapa). My ancestral home is the area from the Bow and Elbow rivers (Calgary) of southern Alberta, Canada, south into Montana, USA and westward into the Rocky Mountain Range. I was born in Edmonton, Alberta under the auspices of a Canadian Government "forced genocide by integration" program (which ran in the early 50 - 60's and was later officially denied) for Indians. The Department of Indian Affairs in cooperation with the Department of Social Services coerced my mother (and 10,000+ more like her across Canada) to give up her child, at birth, under the pretense that she was incapable of caring for me. Many of the 10,000+ children were taken off the reserves under fraudulent protective custody or similar orders. I never knew my parents and was adopted by white parents (as part of the integration program) at the age of two months. In 1964 - 1966 ,while staying in the rural area close to Alix, Alberta, Canada I met Walking Buffalo. That summer taught me about my ancestors' way of life and the words we exchanged still guide me. In 1971 I left home and in 1973 began to seriously pursue the traditional ways of my people. By learning and participating in these ways and I became a member of a medicine society and work with medicine societies all over North America.
From the desktop of Bear Boy
. Signature file provided by Bear Boy.
LW&JW
Bonnie Hall country_angel76@hotmail.com
please post.
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002
the people who wrote this declaration are nothing but hypocrites. they do not like that somebody uses their culture...but did they post it on the internet? do they live in houses? do they go to the store? the internet, the houses and the store were not invented by indians. they were invented by white people, and the whites brought civilization to america, not only massacres. now the indians use the white culture as they want, but think it should not be the other way around.
i grew up in a trailer park in poverty. i was on the reservation and saw the conditions are pretty much the same. but i had no affirmative action, no caucasian college fund and no caucasian american movement to protect my rights, and everybody could call me poor white trash without danger of being labeled culturally insensitive. i grew up in guilt before the blacks and other minorities, then i realized, now the whites are the victims of discrimination called the affirmative action. now i am proud of being who i am. now it's my turn to beat the odds to advance the corporate ladder. indians are masters of getting more and more benefits from the guilt-ridden whites. they use historical facts to prove their point. everyone in this country knows of wounded knee, but only the history buffs and professors know of fort mims, where the whole families of white settlers were massacred by indians in cold blood. it is not fashionable to be a white anymore. the people who write to this site call themselves proudly 1/8 indians. it matters more to them that they are 7/8 whites. i do not have this choice. i am a pure white person.
only when the indians will shed all the labels of white culture,when they return back to the teepees, when no indian will celebrate christmas, thanksgiving, or go to college, could they speak to the whites to leave their culture. (and hey, who desecrates the catholic faith by using peyote and other drugs?)
i am not a wanabi, but i know some, and i began to see their point. some people asked them why they don't imitate all the aspects of indian culture, including the unpleasant ones. first, only a sadist will call the sun dance pleasant. second, do they want them to imitate gerontocide, infanticide, the lowly status of women, polygamy, etc? i think not. others asked them why do they imitate this much injured race? and no other censures the civil war reenactors. much more people were killed in the civil war that in the all indian wars combined. so why doesn't the congress ban the civil war reenactors? because the victims in this case were white, not the much-loved government protected, and other motherloving minorities.
From: Katt M.G.A qat_a@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002You have my Permission to print this letter.
Let me begin by saying I am an African born and bred. I have NEVER been to the US though I currently live in Europe, and till recently, had no interest in native American spirituality.. After 30 yrs of chasing after the church doctrine I gave up. It did not offer me ANYTHING, and I decided The only option I had, was to go back to MY native beliefs. I fasted and prayed to my ancestors for guidance.
Then recently I had a very intense personal dream involving a wolf. Do note.. we do NOT have wolves in Africa. This dream was so intense that I asked a friend who happens to be Native American whether he could help me interpret it. It seemed the only logical option. He then tells me that it seems the WOLF spirit has chosen to work with me. WOLF spirit I enquire? What in the world is that? I then begin searching for information on the totem animals of Native American spirituality. I had my extreme doubts for it did not make ANY sense to me to get involved in the spirituality of a people I don’t even know. But then again it was not my choice to be a Christian either. It was lumped on me.
So I ask as an African, am I supposed to turn my back on this call when I have been praying so hard for a sign? It has come to me more than once and I cannot ignore it anymore. Pilfering of other people’s spirituality is despicable. But who are we to say whom the spirits choose? I have not even begun exploring the Native American way; for I am still wondering where to begin. But I know my spirit guide will help me.
What the “whites” as you call them did to the Native Americans was/is despicable, but remember they did the same to the Africans and many others as well. It is good that the declaration was written, for it states how the Lakota feel. The “New Agers” have always been around. Before, they would slaughter native tribes claiming we were heathens, but we survived. Now they have just come up with new tactics. So anger will not help the situation here. What you need to do is save yourselves (the native Americans) from being culturally and spiritually annihilated. But please refrain from calling everyone who isn’t a full-blooded native, a “wannabe”.
The Great Spirit sees what is in your heart. One thing I don’t understand is why it seems SO important to state how many quarters of whichever blood is running through your veins. Some people I have see in these replies, go to great lengths to state the amount of native blood that is running through their veins. Talking about quarters of this blood or that seems to me like a BAD hangover from your ancestors who stressed the amount of blue blood running in ones veins. (As if this matters)
Why can’t we just all learn to respect one another? Did I ask for the wolf spirit in particular to guide me on my path? NO I asked MY ancestors (assuming they would be Africans) to come through for me. So whom do I blame here? MY ancestors for pointing me towards a form of spirituality I know nothing about? Or am I also to be branded a “wannabe”? The Great Spirit will guide me.
Kathryn
This page is managed by
Rev. Raymond A. Bucko, S.J.
of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
at Creighton University.E-Mail: bucko@creighton.edu
Page Last Updated: January 2, 2004