Responses to the Statement:
War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality
May 11, 2002 to February 1, 2002

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.

Due 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:

You may also refer back to the site with the original statement. This will help those of you who visit frequently to check for new postings.

From: ScoobyDooASambat@aol.com ScoobyDooASambat@aol.com
Sent: Friday, February 01, 2002

To Whom it may Concern

I whole heartly agree with the statement I just read. I am not an Indian wanabee or anything like that. I am just plain interested in Lakota (Sioux) spirituality. I have purchased several books- Where White Men fear to Tread, Black Elk Speaks, Thomas Mails books on Sundance, Frank Fools Crow, Lame Dear just to name a couple. I apologize if I have done something wrong, I love to talk about the books and their messages etc. I just love the wisdom and honesty I feel about the Sioux. I am outraged by the practices of white people for which I am a member and proud of. I am outraged by the destruction of ancient burial grounds, imprisonment of innocent people just because its cool to some to arrest/convict and Indian. i wish I could make it all right but I cannot. I cannot stand any wrongs done to anyone not just the American Indians. My neighbor who claims she is 1/8 Native is constantly telling everyone in town if they don't do her way, she will call Aim. &nb! sp;I don't like to call anyone a trouble maker/liar but she is. I hear all the time about the Red road etc. and how white I am. I am blonde hair and blue eyes- I just am me. I like to read and share what I have read, I find some peace in my life when I read or learn about the simpleness and the love the Native American Community has for Life- the earth etc. If I am wrong I will change I certainly will not embaress you or your peoples. May you always recieve the greatist of blessingsl

amyjo

Okay to publish

From: Michael Maniscalco mmanisca@usd.edu
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002

you have my permission to post what I have written
Mike maniscalco

Hello,

I am a Student at the University of South Dakota and I am taking American Indian Studies as my Major. I am white with a supposed drop somewhere in my history of Native Blood which makes me white. I have been danceing in a traditional manor since I was 12 years old and I have recently started singing in the last year and a half. I grew up on the east coast where most of the eastern indigenous culture has been wiped out. I have see it as an identification crisis with eastern natives since they know nothing of there own culture they look west to tribes that have a very much alive and strong culture. I think what happens often is people come out here with an east coast mentality and want to learn the entire Lakota religion in 24 hours. Unfortunatly you will only touch the tip of a vast intertwined religion. On return they have become a cheif grand sachem. This just makes me laugh please most sachems or holy men will not go around bragging like this. I have seen some people driving around with a sachem license plate on there car, just rediculous.

I have been involved in a few cerimonies since I have been here and I am preparing to be involved in the hunka pi cerimony. I am very proud that I am going to be brought into a Dakota family as well as they are pleased to bring me into there family. When I first asked is this okay cause i am a wasicu. They laughed at me and kindly reminded me of the sacred hoop. If you think remember the colors red white black yellow. The four colors represent the different skin colors of all the people in the world(as well as the 4 directions ant the two roads of life) an if you truely believe in this sacred hoop then color does not matter what we need to remember is that we are all ikche wishasa or calmon men in the face of tunkasila or wankantanka or god however you believe. Who are we to really say someone was doing a cerimony or dance wrong maybe they are just working off a different alter or a different dream or maybe this is what they believe will make them right in the face of tunkasila or god so it is not your place to say anything. If you truely do believe in tunkasila or god he or she will take care of whatever is wrong with the person in the wrong.

I thank you for taking the time to bring up such an important topic.

Pila mayaye

mike

From: Leslie R. Marini Sacredwell@prodigy.net
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2002

I am the author of the enclosed piece and grant full permission to use on your site. Leslie R. Marini

Greetings,

My name is Leslie R. Marini, and I'm an interfaith minister presently living in Brooklyn, New York. I hold two 3rd degree Wiccan initations, (Alexandrian and a Druidic), and I am an avid reader and student of Goddess/Ancient cultures for many years. I also work as a freelance journalist, and professional psychic/intuitive consultant, using Tarot and astrology. I have led, conducted, and participated in numerous rituals and ceremonies over the last twenty years. I've reviewed many Native American music recordings for Amazon.com, Inside Connection magazine, and Van Gogh's Ear. I've worked as a press rep for many World music and Folk artists including Anoushka Shankar and Arlo Guthrie.

On my Mother's side I'm Polish/Scandinavian, and on my Father's side, British/Irish-Norman. My Mother's people first came to the United States in the late 1890's as part of the European migrations. They settled in Chicago. On my Father's Mother's side, I count Quakers from Delaware as ancestors, and one Arthur Middleton, who signed the Declaration of Independence. On my father's side his sister, my Aunt married a Potawatomi man, my Uncle Mike who has since passed over. He is not a blood relative of mine, but his children, my cousins are. Either way, that doesn't mean I have Native blood by "association." Not with my coloring!

I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1956. My grandfather on my mother's side had been told to move out West for his asthma, as was the prescribed treatment for certain respiratory conditions at the time. Although my parents moved back to the mid-west after I was born, the family returned to Albuquerque when I was 7 years old. I lived there continuously until I was 18 and moved to New York. My family still has a home in New Mexico, and I recently returned there for a visit, for the first time in 11 years this past Thanksgiving.

I remember growing up in New Mexico. My grandfather loved American history and was active in many different areas, much of it pertaining to Native Americans. He counted many Native peoples, not just from the Southwest, but from the plains areas and Texas as friends and associates. As a little girl, I met many Native peoples in my Grandfather's backyard. My grandfather and grandmother would frequently take my little brother and myself to the different Pueblos in the New Mexico area for the seasonal Native dances and festivals. This of course, was all before it was "cool" to do Native American stuff.

From the earliest that I can remember, I was under strict orders from my Grandfather to respect the Native people and to follow all of their requests to the letter. I was told to behave myself and sit still, to avoid certain sacred areas, not stare or point, as children often do, and to treat being on the reservation as though I was in someone else's home. If we wanted to go to the "Indian dances," than we had to toe the line, and not embarrass my grandparents. My Grandfather explained to me what he knew, from a historical perspective, as much as he could about Native religion, and how, when in their home, I had to respect the privilege of being in their home, and their church.

I have many early memories of being treated very kindly by many of the people at the Pueblos. I heard many stories and visited many archeological sites in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Many of the people I attended school with were of Navajo and Pueblo families, many from the "Bordertown" boarding schools. But that's another story.

Although I was always inspired and touched by the beauty of the world around me, and I felt a resonation with the Native spirituality, I always remembered my Grandfather's words. Do not take what is not yours. Respect the rights of others as you would have them respect you. Now, maybe, part of this comes from me being an eight-year old child and fearing my Grandfather's discipline, but it is something that has stayed with me.

Years later, when I began to pursue my own spiritual path that has led me to where I am today, the subject of Native spirituality would sometimes bubble to the surface. In my beginning quest, like most other people on the Spiritual road, I came in contact with a wide variety of teachers and groups.

I was often appalled and shamed by the flagrant disregard and disrespect shown to the Native people of this country by white people pretending to be Indians, stealing outright from under them, and incorporating into Ceremony what was not theirs to take in the first place. It was an embarrassment. Occasionally, one of these fakers would discover my birth heritage and ask me about Native American "secret" religions. I kid you not- like I knew anything at all about that!

When I refused to take part in a "sweat lodge" ceremony that one Wiccan group I was working with was putting together, I knew it was time to exit the group and seek elsewhere. Of course, no-one could understand how I, being born in New Mexico, would refuse to participate in a real hot-shot ceremony like that. Go figure!

Since that time I've been invited to numerous "Celtic Drumming Circles," "Scandinavian Sweat Lodges," "Vision Quests," and all sorts of events. I politely decline on the basis that these appropriations of ritual do a great injustice not only to the Ancestors of the Native people of America, but to my own Celtic and Scandinavian ancestors as well. I will not dishonor my ancestors, and I will not dishonor the People who welcomed me into their homes, allowed me to participate as a spectator in their festivals and dances, whose food I have tasted.

I love the Beauty of Native American spirituality. I believe in the Great Spirit, in the Creator, and I've read many books by Native Americans and about Native Americans. But to this day, and always, I will never incorporate that which is not mine to take into any ceremony, reading, or other spiritual objective that I am involved in. It is not my way, although I stand in agreement with a great deal of it. I respect it, I love it, but I will not steal it. I have been asked, in my capacity as interfaith minister, to help create rites of passage for white people that are Native American inspired. I always politely and firmly refuse to do so, and more importantly, I tell them WHY. I do so out of respect for my Grandfather's teachings and for the living Native American people. I am not Native American. I have no business teaching or conducting ceremony in that capacity. If the white people want to find a Native American individual that is willing to do Ceremony for them, fine, so be it- that's up to THEM, not me.

At the present time I'm exploring the Six Nations and the Native Peoples of the New York region. I am doing so not because I wish to appropriate the culture, but I believe it is a matter of politeness to get to know your neighbors and to acknowledge them. Of course, the truth is "stranger than fiction." It is a Living Knowledge, a Living Truth. On my recent visit back home to New Mexico, I was amazed at how much the climate has changed for the Native people! After so many hundreds of years they are beginning the healing process. Beginning. It is a long road for the Native peoples and it is THEIR road to follow.

I support NAGPRA, and I support any and all restrictions of Sacred Native sites to outsiders. Maybe sometime in the future things will change, but in the present time I believe that it is imperative for these sacred sites and graves to be kept so, and that the Living People who are the inheritors of this Truth have the right to administer these places in the way they see fit.

I wish to thank, publicly, in this email, the children, ancestors, families, and people of Native America that have shown me courtesy, kindness, and respect by sharing some of your wisdom and heritage with me. Among the Celts we are known for our Hospitality, as a Sacred Duty. Let me extend to you, in the Hands of Friendship, my Heartfelt Thanks and Open Hearth.

In Sacred Space,

Leslie R. Marini
Brooklyn NY
West of Luna and Dreamland.

From: Tuklonita@aol.com Tuklonita@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002

You have permission to print my statement;

Having been a warrior for the many years of my youth, I was guided by the old warriors in the arts of killing. That is what a warrior does. I was also guided in the art of dying. This is also the duty of a warrior.

I believe that if it had been my choice to kill one that the "Declarations" condemned, or to let him live, he would now be living. Warriors have no choice in these matters. The words: "War", "Battle", "Skirmish", do not relate the emotional terror witnessed within and without the warrior. These few words cannot explain the revulsion of making another's life end. They can only convey "Where" and ''When" to those who have declared.

In my age now, I have been asked to join in the "Declarations". I have been asked to join in "Condemnations" as one who has been the warrior and who now is aware.

And, it is just for these reasons, that I carry in my heart, that I cannot, and will not.

I will not have my "Honor" declared foolish.

I am called : Tuklo-nita of the Chata.

From: Carolyn Lee cd_lee@bellsouth.net
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002

There is no way to make this short and get across my feelings so I will ask for your patience now.

I am so confused over this whole thing. I have always had this overwhelming sense that I’m doing something wrong. I never went to church as a child. I knew right from wrong, the hard part was being “civilized”. I liked to do what felt right and was constantly being told to act a certain way, dress a certain way, and in general constantly do and say thing to get the people around me to accept me. I always felt guilty because in my mind or behind my mother’s back I would rebel against these cultural exhibits. Then I would get frustrated and really get into trouble! This process has repeated itself over and over in my life. I have always felt a spiritual restlessness. I have researched many religions. I tried to be a Baptist for a while. I found too many conflicts to continue. My biggest let down was that I was promised that if I said I accept Christ as my savior, no matter what I did, as long as I asked for forgiveness I wouldn’t go to the underworld. I would from that day forward feel the creator of all things always with me. Well, I went to the church and put on the white robe, prayed and prepared myself as best as I could to open to the feel and guidance of this sacred experience. It was my turn in line and I was smiling, and nervous, ready for this divine intervention to swallow me. Reverend Ward then said his part and put me in a backbend drenching me. I thought I was going to drown. As soon as he raised me I could feel my heart start breaking because all I felt was wet. Anyway, my family was happy and the community was happy and I felt responsible so I continued to claim to be a Christian for a while. I felt I had to carry this weight. Of course I let everyone down; I couldn’t fight what didn’t feel right.

This also plays a role in my confusion; I have always had dreams from time to time. I used to sleep all day and night at times as a child dreaming about things that happened to me as a newborn, and people I was to meet, and of deaths, spirits with no faces that warn me, of snakes and birds that feel like they mean something important but I don’t know what. It is something my grandmother also did. This is a very scary and disappointing experience at times. A lot of times for that reason, and the fact the general public think I’m nuts, I try to block them out as much as possible.

I was born a bastard. My father was an Irish gene that’s all. My mother was part English, part Cherokee. The reason I am at this site is because I was researching my ancestors and came across it. I couldn’t stop reading. I am a 31 year old mother who isn’t at peace with who I am, or where I’m at. That isn’t a good combination because I want to be able to make my son feel at peace with himself and guide him. I want to know about my ancestors because I have a need to belong somewhere and nothing is feeling right. The only time I feel real peace is in my Blue Ridge Mountains looking over the scenery. That is when I feel truly like I’m close to my creator.

Maybe I picked this up from my ancestor. Maybe that is just how it is to be for me. I’m still clueless. I will not try to be anything but just me for my son. Native American is a beautiful strong people in my eyes. I admire them. I can honestly say my son and I love to go see a powwow. It is an exhilarating thing for me. The drums and colors of the regalia are awesome. I feel some uneasiness when I’m walking around and see flutes, medicine wheels and stuff for sale. Like going into Wal mart and seeing the Indian headdress for children to play cowboys and Indians. I thought these things were what loved ones made for one another to identify who they are and what they have done here on this earth. Maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know. What I do know is this, I think grizzly bears are awesome too, but I’m not going to grow a fur and gain a thousand pounds to see if I can belong to them and be recognized. What I’m trying to say is I do have a sense of loss because after all of my research I know I will never belong to my ancestor’s people. But I can still be a part of them by admiring them and reading about them and making sure that when my son has Native American month in History class the books tell the truth. I will try to be careful not to do any harm to this religion. White people hated these people they called savages. Hated this religion everyone suddenly decided was the cool thing to do. Some, a lot still do but that doesn’t stop them form making a buck off of them. They should be left in peace. Why do you think you should always be allowed everything you want? Self respect dictates you have respect for others. All they want is for non Indians to respect their right to pray to their Creator. That’s all, they ask. As I was reading I got one consistent feeling in every post. Everyone here is looking for themselves and a place to belong. No matter how hard you say otherwise. Look deep in your hearts and do what feels right to you. When you find the peace, you’re home.

I’m so sorry this is so long. I had to get this off my chest. Thanks for listening and by the way. Please don’t take offense but if someone out there knows anything about dreams please email me. It seems they now have a hold on my son. He calls going “ nite-nite,” going to, “have a bad dream.” You may post this if you want.

Carolyn

From: Martijn Smitshoek msmitsh@xs4all.nl
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002

Yes, please feel free to use this on the web.

I am a 36-year old white man and I speak to you as such, not as something different. When I read this declaration, it brings a lot of memories to my mind of how people have tried, and are trying, to change the values of wisdom, something you get from hard work, into something cheap. It doesn't just happen to the Indian culture, it happens to India (cults and Bhuddism), Japan (Reiki-el-cheapo), Africa and Australia (shopping streets terrorized by bloodless jembes and didgeridoos), to name a few. I live in the Netherlands, northwestern Europe. We are geographically far away from Indian grounds. We know only little of it, except that they were brutally and arrogantly (and cowardly!) overrun by a herd of white primitives, yes, our own kind.

But knowing little about a subject does not stop many people from making the wildest claims.

These people are trying to seek the roots of their wisdom in anything BUT themselves. Many of them are women and men, I am sorry (but not regretful) to say, who have failed miserably in social life, and who hold on stubbornly to the belief that others can be forced to like them.

To them, being in a "spiritual" environment is considered to be a way to impose themselves upon others. If you call yourself Enlightened, you can deny others the right to be [maturely] critical towards you. Talking of criticism - this disability, not being able to respect criticism, is at the heart of all the people who are trying to take this shortcut to wisdom. If you cannot survive criticism you can still pretend to survive it if you place yourself above the values of free will, or twist or hide your motives.

Many people here believe that "good faith" equals dependence and "willingness to be taken over" and sometimes it goes as far as women offering themselves to be sexually exploitable, without a damn clue of what they're doing. How many gurus end up in bed with their "subject"? [*] I say that respect is related to strength. This is an important thing. Can you be strong enough to respect a culture and not want to take it over? Most people aren't.

Also it is typical of the ways of these pretenders that they feel attacked by a statement like this war declaration, or by any kind of anger, for that matter.

The abuse even extends to twisting simple questions that could naturally have only one answer, like who has the right to represent Indian culture, and change it into an pseudointellectual, a scattered, vague, unverifiable argument, with the intent to acquire a speaking position that they cannot get in an honest way. There are many pretenders knowing this subject who are now trying to subverse this knowledge also and claiming to be on the "good" side of the line when they are still changing the lessons to suit their own benefit, these are the many tentacles of manipulative and failed humans. My part of the world does not specifically seem to prey much on Indians, (although sometimes I get to hear some pretty lousy New Age music). But when I listen to the Plastic Shaman radio program (http://nativecalling.org/archives/1999/sep/09301999.ram) I find great similarities to abusive, cult-like and alienating ways of a number of some of the white students that I have lived with, and every aspect rings a bell to me, and I have found that denial and a tendency to overrule go hand in hand, and everything ultimately boils down to a refusal to take the lessons of life, and substituting it with power, at the expense of whoever contradicts them. These people are not learning at all and there is no reason or justification to give them any spiritual credit. They feed on denying the obvious, and thus, they feed on other people(s). I feel that I really have to apologize for these people although I cannot make them go away.

Yet I have to make some side remarks. There are people who do feel genuinely connected with the Indians. They can have many reasons for that. Some of them have spent a life as an Indian, before they were born as citizens of a different country. Indian life is not part of my past but it plays a vivid role in the memories of others, including pictures that come to mind of places and people that they know, and guiding spirits (helpful ancestors).

Others will likely have developed friendships because they live close to Indians. I believe that it must be clear that such a statement of war is not and must not be directed to them.

It is difficult to find truth and stay with it in one's own conviction. You may be young and all the intentions are good, but there is just too much chaff to separate from the wheat, and it is a long and heavy task to find out what is genuinely part of your belief and what isn't. Please forgive some occasional and temporary idolizations, they are part of the big learning cycle and they are necessary events on the way up. Maybe somebody's belief is, say, 90% "plastic", and you can hate that, but you could still tell the other 10% as genuine and appreciate that, and give a hint about what the mistake is, and then send the people back to do their homework. It takes some effort, to some people you can tell the problem straight and they will listen, most of them are difficult to reach because they are too used to hiding their motives, and sadly there are a few who are so deeply into their own cult that it is just not possible to communicate with them at all. Those are dangerous and agressive people, they will take every argument as a personal offence and will cheat in every possible way to retaliate. This is where the weakness surfaces, in trying to fence off a dialog. I think (I am not sure) that you are lucky not to have as many of the last category as we do, these offensive narcists are typical of Europe's intellectual pretensions, but you may be facing other types of agression. But there is something to gain from communicating. If you say that a country is spiritually bankrupt, it will make life difficult for those who would really want to learn and show respect, and communicating your reasons instead could make that respect bigger. Such communication has also been my own difficulty, believe me.

The second thing is: how do the Indian peoples feel about the belief in their own ceremonies, and about the way that this belief can be harmed? The declaration would suggest that such an exploitation could harm a true belief in the ceremonies and ancestors, and I disagree with that suggestion. In your mind, you can always be yourself, and: if a spirit is truly a great one, he will not be bothered or reduced by mockers.

An honorable ceremony will still be honorable, even if the new age idiot next-door tries to imitate it. You have met some of these jerks, I know this kind of jerks, they deserve the full outcome of their stupidity. I would not be trying to attack all the possible instances of pretending, I would rather .. if I were to cross these people, and if I found that they were trying to misuse my name, I would try to attribute that to their own failure and I just might be able to explain that the road to wisdom is just to live their own damn life .. but in a conscious way.

I believe that both parties can learn from that experience - the Indian community can achieve a sense of freedom, and not having had to confront people in a hard way, and the seekers, and the visitors, because they came trying to "be" Indians, but they left maybe with a sense that they have been wasting their time trying to be something that they're not, and start doing something more useful, like learn to make a fair and critical judgement of their own life and encounters.

And ask them, if they cannot understand their own ways, what makes them think that they can understand yours?

And you are in the position to say all these things.

These are tools that you can have to communicate and educate, and I believe that you can figure out when and how to use them.

There are some things that they cannot touch. The most sacred place of all is your own heart[**]. Defend it before anything else.

Martijn Smitshoek

[*] Sweet dreams are made of this
[**] Keep it precious

From: Monica Smith bleumoon78@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002

You have my permission to print:

I just want to give a simple example and possible solution. Why don't we let the elders teach and that is that. For an example, if I know of an elder and wanted to be taught by them I would not feel comfortable or feel that is my duty to turn around and teach what I was taught. If I knew someone who wanted to be taught then I would recommend this elder. I don't think it is right of me to turn around and to go out and teach someone or a big group of lost souls and especially charge them. I believe to speak of your experiences is one thing and if you are speaking to someone that it is obvious they want to really learn then I think the responsible thing to do is to steer them to someone who is wiser and who has the position and knowledge to teach. I do want to have a family someday and I would teach my children but I believe that is the only exception because to me it not only a spiritual way it is also about family, respect, and for me a new set of morals to live by. So to me this is a simple solution. Remember these are only examples that I have used, possible solutions, a different way of looking at this, just opinions. Thank you for your time.

From: Fayegold@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002

hi, i would like for you to print this in on you website:

i wrote previously on the subject of the descreation and the war declared on the abusers of the native american spirituality. i am a jamaican american with a mixed history, from south american , ireland, scotland and of course Africa. i am one the few people who have to check other on the applications they fill out because we don't fit anywhere else. i have grown up my whole entire life learning the stories of the dinah(the little people of scotland) right alone with the stories and exploits of the african trickster god "brotha anansi", these stories and the way of life of jamiaca has shaped me into the person that i am. i completely understand the need to protect something of the past that is completely untainted by outsiders. but if when i went to ireland and scotland and tried to learn about life there and people turned me away the way the native americans turn me away, i would be a very lost person. i said before that i cannot and do not claim native american ancestry,! but i do cliam african and south american ancestry becuase this is what i see in the mirror every morning. this is what i see when i look at my family pictures, my family was one of those mixed with the native tribes of jamiaca, much like the other afro-caribbean tribes,the arawaks have left to me and my sisters their stories and their food, little much is left from them, but htis much is known their stories match those of the Hopi and ancient "anansi" tribes. if htis is doubted it can be researched. when i first wrote i wrote with the heat of hte moment that comes with ignorance and anger at being denied something i thought i had a right to know. i may not be lakota sioux, i may not be hopi, or of the six nations. but i find that your history closely matches mine and that only way to know the future and to know yourself is to know the past. my ancestors alos have their graves dug up their ancient spells broken, the regard for their beliefs scant, people paid good mone! y to desecrate a burial tomb, not just in american and south america, but in africa too, they do so in all ht e "ancient" civilizations,, daily the bodies of the world's ancestors are rmoved from their final resting place and "thawed", "cleansed" and put on display, for everyone to see. the bodies of the ancient pharophs are on display right along side the native american dress.but as i said before, one cannot protect the future without knowing the past. this doesn't mean that you should just give up, because that would make us all rugs for everyone to walk all over, but one should give special consideration to those who wish to learn and to alos help protect what has lasted for more than a millineia. that's all i have to say thanks.

michaela L.
@fayegold@aol.com

permission granted to print on website

From: Natasha Renkova historyfreak@webspawner.com
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2001

I give you my full and explicit permission to post my comment on your site

.

HAN, my American brothers and sisters,

> I am a Russian woman who recently immigrated to America (San Francisco.)I've been interested in Native culture and life since I was twelve. I've read the declaration and thought that neither I nor any of my Russian Indianist friends could be those "wannabes" they are writing about. The history of Whites and Indians in America was nothing but 500 years of misunderstanding and this misunderstanding is going on now. While some Indianists do not differentiate between those Natives who wrote this declaration and those who are less radical,even supportive of the Indianist movement, some Indians see no difference between a wasicu who sells the fake "shaman" ceremonies and a white-skinned person who comes to the Native culture with good intention and a pure heart.

> Personally, I am disgusted with plastic shamans who seek to exploit the Lakota culture, that is as dear and close to me as my native Russian one, for their monetary profit. I feel sorry for their clients-the moneyed and jaded yuppies that do not understand that prior to the physical purification in inipi one needs to undergo spiritual purification, to cleanse himself of hate, greed and envy. Without the spiritual part the ceremonies are nothing but profanation and exploitation.

> But also I don't think that the color of a person's skin is a reason good enough to keep him out of the Native community, especially if he/she is willing to help.This is racism in its purest form. Whites and Indians have a lot to learn from each other. They must unite in order to fight common enemies: drugs, teen suicide, alcoholism, not go to war with each other.

> And, in order to fight misunderstanding, I'll explain the common prejudices the Natives have about the Indianists:

> -"Indianists are just a bunch of rich folks playing Indians". Well, first of all, Russian Indianists are not rich. Many of them survive on the salary of $30-40 per month.(and this is without any affirmative action, government handouts, commodity, casinos and minority scholarships). The levels of crime,alcoholism, poverty, unemployment and domestic violence in Russian cities are comparable to those on reservations. We deeply feel the plight of the Indians because we lived(and continue to live) under similar circumstances. Second, it IS true that the Indianist movement started as a group of youths playing Indians, but now it has grown into serious love and study of Lakota and Cheyenne culture.

> -"Indianists don't care a damn about the Indians". Not so. For example, in the 80's, Russian Indianists circulated and sent to President Reagan a petition to free Leonard Peltier. They had sponsored the Sacred Run in the 1990. As I explained above, we do not have enough resources to help the Natives financially. Indianists are not a political organization, but they are taking a stand on important issues facing the Native community in America.

> -"Indianists are wannabes". Well, some of us are. But the majority is not giving a hoot about formal acceptance into a tribe, CDIB's and other Feddie stuff. Real Indianists, even in America, do not fake Indian ancestry. They are proud of and pleased with their white skin as they are with their red spirit. However, they DO "affiliate" themselves with a certain tribe and study its history and culture.(for example, I "am" a Hunkpapa Lakota), but they do not try to "get" into it by paying genealogists to produce fake documents, etc. Indianists DO give themselves Indian names, but they do not motivate their choices with some supernatural sources such as reincarnation, dreams and visions, as most New Age fakes do. We do not "wanna be" anyone. We are perfectly OK with who (and what) we are now. Orthodox Wannabe League (OWL), a branch of the Indianist movement, changed its name to "Wablenica", or "Orphans".

> -" The main purpose of the Indianist movement is to make a profit". This is partly right. We are seeking to make a spiritual profit-not a monetary one. We are seeking to enrich our horizons, not our wallets. As one of the Indianists wrote on this board earlier, it is impossible to make a profit off Indians in Russia, but it is easier to alienate everyone against you, even members of your own family. Indianists do not buy fake Korean beaded clothes and dreamcatchers. They make them themselves, and never for sale. They invest their time and love in their handiwork, as Indians do.

-"Indianists hate militant Indians, such as the AIM". Wrong again. They support the Indian causes. They wrote letters supporting the Wounded Knee and Alcatraz occupation. Many Indianist groups started at this point in history.The Fenimore Cooper books existed earlier, but they did not produce the wave of Indianism in Russia. My friend's daughter, an Indianist, is a big fan of the AIM, and, especially, Russell Means. She has a big poster of Alcatraz Island in her room. Indianists support the progress of the Indians, as opposed to profit-catchers who are not really interested in them anyway. How many Korean dreamcatcher manufacturers speak Lakhota? Hardly one.

-"Indianism is a fad". Hardly. It was written about by Pushkin and Chekhov. (1825 and 1896, respectively). And the modern version of the movement? Well, where did you see a fad that lasted thirty years? And, with the dirt that Russian media are pouring on Indianists(they had repeatedly called them "feathered wonders","hippies", although they have no ties to the "flower children"),one can wonder, it is really a fashionable thing to do? By the way, the declaration is known in Russia. It was only one of the many press and Internet hostilities that surround the nonviolent, pro-life, pro-diversity organization. It has hardly made a dent in it, although some people vowed not to "play Indians" any more, but, mostly, Russian Indianism got over the declaration.

Mitakuye Oyasin,
Little Eagle Feather (Natasha Renkova)

P.S. If you have questions or comments, feel free to email me at historyfreak@webspawner.com

From: ojib2 ojib2@greatlakes.net
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2001

Dear Sir,

I respectfully wish to state that the Creator made all of the world.He made all races colors and types of human beings.In fact he contuies to shape and mold us as a speices evertime a new little child is born. There is no such thing anymore as a pure blooded person of any race.WE have by accident or design blended and absorbed eachothers DNA.While some may be more of one race or culture it is not the bloodline that matters.It is the heart and soul of the individual.Many of us out in the world walk the "Red Road" or at least try very hard to do so. The idea that we need a card to say we are or are not native is offensive.That idea was designed to destroy our race by the ones who invaded this sacred land.I can never give you a card to show I am native but I would gladly stand for our people.I would die to keep elders and children safe and fight to my last breathe to guard our holy sites. Yet I am considered less then others for lack of a card?MY belief have helped me find a balance and peace.If teaching this helps another find the Creator and his path I will teach it. I will never be the expert my Teachers and elders are but I will share what knowlege I have. If it offends those who are "more pure " sorry but I follow the creators way. He teaches that we love and help each other. I am saddened by those who would sell the knowlege but feel in time they will have to answer to a higher power. So that is my belief.I will never profit from this but I will seek to learn and grow and help others to. My life has been blessed by many great elders and teachers.I thank the Creator daily for his mercy and compassion in sending me to them.I pray others find this peace.

Miigwech
Lisa Coppedge
makwa1234@msn.com
Please feel free to print this email
Thank you to my teachers

From: Siochian@aol.com Siochian@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Yes I give my permission [to post]. Thank you.

Dear Sir:

I would like to begin by saying that I have always had a deep and respectful reverence for the Lakota people. I have been drawn to your history and your culture since I was a young child. I absolutely see your need to preserve your culture in the face of the commercialism of anything precious. Though I would like you to know that their have been "White Shaman" for thousands of years in the Celtic culture throughout Ireland and Scotland, and yes, they are called "Shaman."

I have also met your "wannabes." One in the form of an Irish-American that said she became involved in the Indian culture because she had nothing in her own bloodline that struck her soul. HOGWASH!!!!! The Celtic people were immersed in spiritualism. When St. Patrick converted the Celts to Catholicism he had to adapt it to their beliefs before they would except it. (The Celtic Cross even has a circle behind it that represents the sun.) Commercialism has also begun to damage that as well.

I also think that there are people out there that are Caucasian that truly share many of your beliefs. I don't believe that "Wakantanka or God" discriminates against any true person because of their skin color or their blood line. I do, however, think thata person cannot hide it when they adopt any spiritual outlook simply for fashion, money, or for any other reason than to give praise and affection to their father.

I have written a poem in honor of Ikce Wicasa. If you are interested you can e-mail me. Either way good luck with your plight. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Ellen Clare
(Irish-American, Cherokee, Scottish & Swedish)

From: bing bing-bingo hoopsnake8@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001

I am a "Heinz 57" bastard. My mother told me that my father was part cherokee. To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less about my genetic makeup because I know that I am not the center of the universe. Besides, that is not what makes a man a man. Honor is the key to that. Likewise, I couldn't care less about anyone else's genetic makeup, because I am not racist. Besides, appearances are all illusion anyway..it is only what is in the heart that matters. This can only be seen when one sees with the heart.

I live in a very simple way, and have found much comfort and wisdom through native american ritual. I have also found much comfort and wisdom through christianity, islam, judaism, sufism, zoroastrianism, taoism, buddhism, krsna consciousness, all literature, all music, all life. I have also found much terror, separatism and oppression in all of these.

The truth about spirituality is that it does not live in books or rituals but within the heart. just as the word of the creator does not live in books or rituals, but within every living thing, speaking to us constantly, whether or not we can or will hear it.

Why are you afraid of people wanting to learn your ways? Do you think that you own these ways? were they not handed down to you? What if they hadn't been? Wouldn't you seek until you found what speaks to you? Is this not the path of all involution and evolution of consciousness?

We have had enough separatism in this world. Let us unify. the charlaitans will be unmasked regardless of your efforts to unmask them. I suggest taking a more positive approach to life than declaring "WAR" against anything. War is not spiritual or holy or righteous.

If you hope to preserving the spiritual technology of the ancient ones, then open your heart and teach us.

open your heart and feel these words.
the universe is my church.
every breath is my prayer.
all living things are my family.
compassion.
karma.
peace be with you,

bingo eagle hand

Yes, please allow this to be on the page.

From: Precious momlovesem@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001

hello,

i have read your declaration of war on new age shaman and must agree. please, no more sham 101 courses for hundreds of dollars a session. it is truly disgraceful.

on the other hand, i am a white woman, born on the cauhilla reservation in california. the reservation was my home as a child and will always be the home in my heart. the people are also "my people". and yet, i am white. i am so thankful that i am not excluded because of my appearance.

i have had the good fortune to know many lakota sioux in my years. i have to agree with you that some have taught sacred ceremonial ways to white students who wanted to walk the path and one can only hope were sincere about it. i have spent much time among the cauhilla apache and the nez perce. my heart becomes troubled when i hear hatred aimed at a people. there was no excuse what the white man did to the people when he came to steal the land, and it causes my heart to ache when i hear one of the people speak with the same kind of hate that was brought here by my own ancestors. i ask that you think about this and not let yourself be contaminated by hate.

ceremony does not belong to a group based on dna. it belongs to the ones who take part with a pure heart.

spirit has been and will always be there for the true seeker. i ask you to revist some of what you have said and remove the evil parts. much of what you say is true. most of it. i simply ask that you go back and take out the part that will breed more hate. i don't ask you to please anyone. if they don't like it (shrug), so be it.

the lakota do not own ceremony and do not own shamanism. in fact shamanism doesn't even have it's roots in north america. i am also sickened by the new age shaman-wannabe movement. instant shamanism...... but for anyone who has been trained in the medicine ways, it is a double edged sword for those who tinker. some who walk the path think it is the medicine path, but the true medicine path has as many thorns as it does roses. there is no room for hatred there.

yes, [permission to publish]

From: David Martinez windtoon@mcn.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2001

David Silverthorn Martinez windtoon@mcn.org You may post this all. It has been my experiance that when ceremonies are done in a good way it is a good thing, but when the unknowing do it incomplete, with out protocal,and reverance for what the ceremony is people can get sick. I am a Winnimem Wintu of Shasta our sacred sites are often used by the new age spiritual movment, it sickens me when I go to our sping and find shells,crystals,offerings of personal belongings left in, on and around a sacred site because some new age guru said the gods will smile on you if you do so. We have gone to other sacred sites only to find sweatlodges and vison quests going on put on by people who know nothing of what they are doing, but for the small fee you to can experiance true native spirituality at a real native sacred site. The new age must come to the understanding that just as I would never take my Wintu ceremonies out of where they belong ,they must not bring their ceremony to us. I respect other native nations when i am in their land I go with respect for their ways. I donot wish to make them Wintu and I would never take all or part of a ceremony out of their land. Too many people do take parts of ceremony to use in their own way. This is wrong. Too many native spiritual practices are being sold, not to long ago I went to a Pow Wow only to hear a Spirit Calling song of the Wuntu sung as an opening song. It was sang by a newager who knew nothing of what he was singing. I am not against teaching the ways to other people. It is time others learned of the beauty of the native ways and the reveance to all living spirits.If the invaders of our lands would have taken the time to learn of our ways they would have found all the fundamentals of the christian faith were here in place. In practice and harmony with the world long before they founded christianity.

From: Fayegold@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001

hi my name is mikki, and for as long as i can remember i have read , watched and studied anything i could get on native americans, my favourite tribes of course being the Sioux. i took a class on te subject and it really opened up my eyes on alot of things. but i am also a practicing pagan, a witch a new ager a wannabe. i am a woman who finds comfort and peace in the earth based religions, i my self have never been to or tried to create a native american ceremony, i have alot of respect for your history and your beliefs, but i am a seeker on this path of life and sould my path move towards your beleifs, am i to get off because a few rotten apples have been foind in the bunch. i would hope not, i have no claim to any native ancestry, but as my father would i dance to the beat of a different drummer.

permission to print granted by
michaela lewis
a jamaican black seeker.

From: Lisa Cantelon lisacantelon@hotmail.com
Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2001
Subject: thank you for what you do

you have my permission to post my statement .....

I am Lisa Cantelon, born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.... of Urainian, Irish, English, French, Norse desent... likely a 7 th generation Canadian......my fathers side..... 3rd generation my mothers side

now for the last 20 years, awakening to the atrosities of the colonization of this land and the native american genocides and current cultural appropriations and thief of native spirituality....thru my experiences and travels of bucking the exsisting western systems of living...

When I first started to learn about it all I was shocked and cried and went thru denial and anger and disgust and guilt... I was hungry to know what happened here on this land, as i was tucked away in some bubble of apathy, I found books and sources of accounts of"happenings" including wounded knee and pine ridge murders, (Lakota, Dakota words not familiar to me, history unknown, spiritual ways , still unknown)... I wanted to learn more of what happened everywhere ...I asked what was the truth of the land before bla bla bla founded such and such post here and there, I wanted to know the "real " names of the mountain peaks I climbed and rivers I drank from, and I started a life changing search of the truth

the library had videos produced by "whites" and other colors taught me more and all the while the native people I know here are quiet about their ways

a non native woman I know was serious about "native medicine" ways and a circle that I attended at Aberta's North Country Fair, I ended up at the there felt strongly that I should represent my own peoples ways as my white assed friends did their kind of honoring native style and I felt sort of embarassed for they looked a bit nutty doing their thing, that is when I became so driven to discover my roots, and the story of Viking blooded people became my story...

I was shocked, disappointed that my grandfathers appropriated lands in raids on european soils from 900AD Normandy France...to the English Kings to the Irish soils, all a sort of "knights in shining armors" ....war & atrosities..... to the Protestant land lording then to the Protestant administration of christian values... to the east coast of North America , Ontario Canada to Edmonton Aberta Canada.... I am here... I have my families truth to own ... to heal ... to forgive and rise above.... I was the one asking about the unspoken storys ....my family didnt know anything... I have become the story teller of white ways on their path to where here and where ever.... All and all

I would honor a Native Sovereign nation here .. So Go For It!

I will honor my own spirituality and continue to seek my own understanding of my peoples medicine ways....

I honor the healing of Native Spirituality and do not paricipate in new age workshops of any kind that are produced for profit ...

I walk this earth and I believe in the earth as my mother , maybe he is my father too,

I under stand maybe my ways are similar to Native values in that I love this earth and I dont beleive in owning this land, that everybody has the right to live on this earth and grow their own food....Give the Land back to her People!

Hey what I am trying to say is that I am very Okay to honor the wishes of all Native People ... because it is not right to marade and raid others on any level...

I am glad to have found this website as it supports what I believe is right...

and teaches me what I need to know.

in truth

Lisa Cantelon

From: david mix dmix48@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 4:25 AM
Subject: I thought it was the US that worked in declarations

You have my express consent to print this my relative:

"We can all be indigenous... we can all be foreign" May white people (like myself) consider a good place to begin understanding Native Cultures is with the respect and consideration of the people belonging to them.

I pray for all those so unlearned, who have unknowingly subverted, and also intentionally oppressed American Indian People. Unfortunately those praying to the dollar and other isolating forces will continue growing in number, and continue exploiting anything they can to pursue their own ends... and continue fragmenting all creation.

But.. we all can find hope and purpose in the path of reconciliation, and the healing of these pieces together again...........

For all those so concerned with what is being lost.... TAKE SOME TIME TO LOOK AT A GREATER CROSS SECTION OF THE PEOPLE LOVING YOU.. AND NOT JUST THOSE (DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY) HATING YOU.

then your scope of "All my relations" might get bigger instead of smaller.

From: DMoon1955@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2001

I have found that while I visit many lodge's in the outside world I would agree that there is a great problem with people mixing the traditions. Most people don't understand that the core foundation needs to be kept in place for the ceremony to do the most good for the people. I have also found this to be true on the reservation. We make and sell pipes in pawn shops in Rapid City and I doubt that these are for true pipe carriers. I believe that we need to go back to the beginning ourselves to understand the path we need to take to clean this problem up. We have tried many times to fix this but I don't believe we have done this with the right heart and understanding. We ourselves need to go back to the beginning. I have seen Indian and white's alike misuse the ceremonies. With this in mind I believe it to be more of a heart and spirit problem than a race problem.

Thank you for your time in reading my email.

Mitakuye Oyasin,
Daniel Moon

Yes [to publish], if you feel it will help in the path of understanding.

From: Howardduck123@aol.com
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001

You have permission to post this.

I feel strongly that you can't buy religion you have to earn it. It should be free to all those who are really sincere and respect the elder. You have a good example in the Christian Bible of how Jesus threw out the money changer at the temple. It is sacrilegious to pretend you are a shaman when you are not. There are even native people pretending to be shamans when in fact they are not. It's not about self serving interest it's about how you can help and heal others. Someone who claims to be a shaman and only serves him/herself is nothing but a black magician. You must serve the community not yourself! Do not defile what is holy. Yes, you may claim you are a shaman (freedom of speech) but aboriginal people don't have to except you as a real shaman either.

From: Featherain@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2001

Hello-I visited your website and agree with most of it.I am not a Native American,and I hope and pray that all my red brothers and sisters remain strong and are able to pass on their traditions to the next generations. I am hoping that we will eventually be able to close the circle together.SO I understand that you must keep your traditions pure.P.S. my screen name refers to a very vivid dream that haunts me to this day.I hope my words have not offended anyone .Thank you.

I'm sorry I forgot - yes you have permission to print my comment on your website-would welcme any e-mail replies.I think this is an important issue.

From: katherine song bird tsisqua_song@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001

Please feel free to post these comments, and if any would like to comment with me further they may e-mail me, at tsisqua_song@yahoo.com

These are my thoughts and feelings, some may agree, some may disagree... they are based on my beliefs, and experiences, and those who are close to me.

A

s to the web page, there are a lot of valid points, and grievences, I fully support the war against those "selling spirituallity" ANY SPIRITUALLITY!!! Lakota, or as most whites reffer to as the Sioux. I do not care if they are Indigenous, not Indigenous, or some mix, religion, faith, and spirtuallity is not for sale!!!

I have run into all races and beliefs that charge for things that were not ment to be sold, It is more painful to me to see another, not of that culture taking what is freely given to them by one of the culture in sincerity of sharing, then turning it into profit.

As for those selling, you will get your own! I will be quick to point you out like I have done over many years.

As for you who seek "spirtuallity" this is my belief: You can only be taught a religion, spirtuallity should not be confused with a religion ritual, that is the particular celebration and honoring, Sorry if my words are a bit vague here, I am trying to keep this non denominational and a fair critisism.

To you who may be offended and trying to justify "why you go for the ndn, when you are not ndn" you missed the whole message. I might suggest to you non Indians "who don't get it" to read the works of Sherman Alexie, a painful, poinent, articulate, and accurate author of many poems, books, and the movie "Smoke Signals", if you want a really hard look, try reading "Reservation Blues" or "Indian Killer".

Those of you who turn to NDN culture because you are ashamed: I say this- let's say your Grandfather 4 generations ago was Jackson, and you were in Cherokee land today, you are not him, yes what he did was wrong, horrid, unjust, and evil, but are you him? when others look at you do they see him? Did you learn something out of that tradgedy? Are you a better Human in your deeds than him? Don't dwell on your ansetors misguided power.

Those of you who are not NDN and think there is only beauty in our culture: We each have been given a culture a history, some good, some not so good, but when you can love where you come from and the beauty from where you are, with out borrowing, without buying, without perpetuation of stereotypes, then and only then can you go to another culture and truely appreciate them as individuals, as society, as culture, you can appreciate with out wanting to be!

Most of these comments are my own thoughts and feelings, and some are directed to those in the response page that you set up for your web page regaurding war on cultural theft.

Thank you for considering posting my thoughts with the numerous responses you have received.

Katherine Song Bird,
North Carolina

From: David Meacham kitsune@erols.com
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001

Every religion is being ripped off these days by the "new" religion seekers. Nothing is sacred anymore to these people, anything that has a ring to it of spirituality has more than likely been stolen at this point. With those people comes the other people looking to make a living off of the suckers. However, I don't consider my religion to be lessened for their theft. They don't have my religion, they have a tiny aspect of it, worthless when stripped away from the whole. So long as they don't make any attempts to masquerade as any of the religions they've stolen from and trick people into believing that theirs is in any way a genuine represntation of that religion, I couldn't care less what they do. Although I consider their actions to be foolish and, to an extent, pitiable, they are the actions of an unhappy, lost person seeking fulfillment, not maliciousness. Strive to educate the lost ones, strive to discredit the greedy ones, it's all that anyone can do.

You may repost this if you like.

From: Maukwa@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2001

To whom it concerns:

I am a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. First let me say that there are charlatans within the native communities themselves who exploit others using their supposed native beliefs....native beliefs are the same thing as any other religion, the only difference being that native people had their religion outlawed in a country founded on freedom of religion. Now it is legal for the most part, for native people to practice their religion, or shall I say what is left of it after years of Christianization. There have been many native sympathizers who have a need to feel part of the native cultures in this country, which is the way it should have been from the beginning, instead of all of the ethnocentricity that occurred. It has always been the way of the native people to accept and adept others into their culture. This I do not believe is a wrong thing. In religion throughout history, their have been those who exploit and pollute religious beliefs. I believe that it is the responsibility of each individual in our society to be on the lookout for charlatans, whether it be a Lakota, Ojibwe, Navajo (Dene) etc. person, or a non-Indian person initiating a ritual or religion for their own personal gain. I have known of many non-Indians as well as Indian people who have been victimized by such people. I don't think that a law can be initiated to prevent the practice of any religion in this country any more. The Lakota people must adhere to their own practices and reject those who pollute their beliefs, but I also believe that charlatans are always exposed by their own ignorance and evildoings in the long run.

Megwitch,

Sharon Dee,
7th generation granddaughter of Chief Whitefisher - Wabojeeb, and 6th generation granddaughter of Sweet Meadow Woman and John Johnston

Yes, you may post my opinion. I don't think I ever got a reply from you.

From: Dglinc1@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2001

Thank you for writing this document. It is time to declare WAR on anyone who profits wrongly from indigenous people, Native American or other, and strips an already endangered and oppressed cultural group for the advancement of personal gain and as a capitalist venture. I would include in this list; the Chinese who are importing fake Dine/Navajo jewelry, top designers who rip off ancient design motifs from all Native Americans, including their music, their ceremonies and other. It is sinful that we are now capitalizing on a people who we murdered and who we considered worthless blockades to the advancement of a so-called "enlightened white" culture. I think that what is in order is to copyright the entire Lakota tradition. I don't know if it is possible but then courts of law can discern who is purging this spiritual culture and make judgements on the Lakota's behalf. In Paris the design houses are filled with fake Indian objects and items.

If you go to the Southwest - their are now factories making fake pottery and cheap fake jewelry and other. How about all the music, words, texts, sacred rites and rituals. Copyright all of it. Get a lawyer. I know several who have the power to initiate this action. Let us declare WAR on all who are profiting from a tradition while at the same time sucking the breath and life from the Lakota or others That also includes SACRED SPACES, LAND RIGHTS, AND SACRED SIGHTS.

I am a professor of art at a large University. I have organized over two hundred students who are about to take this issue and others on - I intend to declare WAR in a big way by having an exhibition which will hopefully awaken all to the disgusting situations that Native Americans and others are facing in the light of late capitalism and what I ( and to paraphrase/quote Umberto Ecco) calls UR FASCISM - when lost souls string together aspects of other cultures for their own narcissitic AND FINANCIAL enterprises which ultimately robs meaning in culture reducing it to banality.

Thanks for this website. Keep me informed.

Assistant Professor of Decorative Art/ Wichita State University

you have my permission to post this commentary.

From: Hinokishin@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001

the white flag on the medicine wheel in lakota means the white people. non indians i am being taught by a lakota medicineman. get your facts straight peaces all.

imisunderstood i should have read through i am very sorry. i support you ondhundred percent. email me hinokishin@aol.com thank you for what you do.

white nation white people thats what it means the white flag is the south color. put this up. thank you email me back. hinokishin@aol.com a lot of people doni know this . i say yes to post this. its a little better explained . thank you.

barb plank barb.plank1@sympatico.ca
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2001

Dear Sir people of all colours , nationalities believe in my faith, I have so much respect for native peoples, and would fight for their rights in all ways yet I do not understand why they feel a white person could not share their spiritual beliefs. thankyou for your time Barbara Plank 1@sympatico.ca

I give you permission to post my inquiry Barbara Plank

From: Dream123theater@aol.com
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001

I was so upset when I read this..why are you so angry....not everyone who is not a full blooded native is a wannabe- some people have devoted there entier lives to your beliefs, consider peoples feelings.

yes please post it... If you would post it it would be great...Thanks ...

Twocrows002@aol.com
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001

I find it disturbing to read the statements posted by Wilmer Stampede Mesteth , Darrel Standing Elk and Phillis Swift Hawk. Though I can begin to understand how they must feel about the exploitation of thier spiritual way from the message they have posted for the world to view. I am only one man and perhaps my thoughts will matter little . None the less I will stand and at least say something in what I believe. I am English,Irish and Chactaw . I am most ashamed of what my white ancestors have done to the tribes of this land. Thought there is nothing I can do about it. There is no way those things can be undone. The natives of this land have been treated in a way that is beyond my imagination to discribe. So many lies and great wrongs they cna"t be counted. I Don't like thinking of myself as haveing any connection to those people but I am who I am and there is no changeing that. I have always been different from all of the people I knew growing up. Some years ago I discovered why. It was the Chactaw blood that was running hidden but deep within my vains. I began to explore this feeling by studing on the tribes of this land and found a great interes in the Sioux , namely the Lakota people. Before the whites came to this land they seemed to lead the life I have always wished to life. Thier spiritual ways in my opinion were the right way. Granted I have very limmited knoledge of it. But from what I have learned it just feels right. I have thirsted for more knoledge on the subject trying to chose books writen only by lakota peopl not by whites who are interpeting what they see. Though this is surely not enough to aquire the knoledge I would like to. and feel 100% sure it is the way the lakota peopl lived. I know there are things they do not share with any save thier on when it comes to spiritual beliefs. I try always to keep the greatest level of respect for what I have learned thus far. I speak little to none of the things I have learned to my friends never treyig to act aloof or above anyone , though through the spritual ways

I have learned thus far I must admit sometimes I do feel as though I have rose above the childish and crule ways of the white society. But still I try to keep myself humble and remember I am only a small piece of the Great Spirits creation. If only more people could begin to open thier eyes to thease things I believe the world would be a much better place. But when I read things like the post by the above stated people I feel like an outsider even though I have tried to be as respectful as any human could. I feel they whould rather I knew nothing of thier ways because I am not of thier blood. It is this kind of thing that reminds me of the vision of Black Elk. He saw the people of the world comeing togather. All people All colors. This is one of the only things that keeps me from loseing hope and turning away with shame from the people I most admire in the world. I feel I have invaded or trespassed where I should not . But I try to keep in mind that the Grandfather Spirit would not wan"t my to do this so I try and continue to be brave and alone I contnue to try and learn in a respectful way because that is what is right. It is mostly about respect. I would never try to exploit the knoledge I have for anything. No amount of money could buy me off. Nothing could make me disrespect the traditions of the people. I am aware there are meny who would and do sell out for a quick buck but I believe there are many poepl like myself that are not full blooded indian that are seeking something that the indians could teach. But it seems there is so much resentment amoung the indian people for whites or non indians that they will most likely never find what they are looking for. I feel we should come togather as a whole people and stand togather for the good of the people and the great Earth mother. I can only hope the people who wrote the post from this page will find that there are many good non indian people in the world that will stand behind them for what is right. Togather we could make things better in the world. That is what I believe. But then I am only one and what I believe seem to matter little. Perhaps in time this will change. There is a great deal more that could be said on this but I feel as though I have most likely said too much already so I will leave it at that. Also I hope you will excuse my poor spelling and grammer as I am not the best at thease things. I only wished to say a few words as best I could.

Sincerely Twocrows.

Sure. Post away.

From: Inthebook164@aol.com
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001

You have my permission to use this e-mail in any way you see fit.

The statement about the desecration of the Sacred Pipe, took me immediately to an experience of mine a few years back.

On one of our trips to South Dakota, my wife was looking for some hand made star quilts and we were told that a great option was the many pawn shops in the area of the reservations. We stopped at maybe 6 or 7 different pawn shops. With tears in my eyes, I stood at a display counter maybe 15 to 20 feet long, completely filled with these Sacred Pipes. I couldn't move for a few moments, this sight so completely disturbed me. Some were old, some were newer, some had never been used, but most, very obviously had been used. I thougt of the sacred ceremonies that these pipes had witnessed. I thought of the power and holiness of the tools for prayer, and the absolute lack of respect that brought these pipes to this counter.

I believe, with all my heart, that these pipes were not hocked by the white wannabees. I would, with all respect, suggest that the brothers that are involved with this Declaration of War, please, please, look to you own ancestors.

I have come to know that the Creator takes care of and protects us all. I have absolutely nothing to fear from the outside. I can only be destroyed from the inside.

Mitakuye Oyasin

Phil Metz

Megan Hines ankhahhotep@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001

you have my permission to print this e-mail. My thoughts?? Well, I apprenticed with a medicine man--oh, his color?? does it really matter, since there are medicine men and women of many colors and cultures!! The teachings were powerful and transformed my life so much so that I decided to share these teachings with others-of many colors and cultures. As for the teachings being abused-well, look to history my friends look to ALL so called GREAT RELIGIONS that have ever been and tell me, have they not been abused in some way??? have the words not been twisted along the way?? sad?? yes!! but such is life. This we cannot control, but remember this: the essence of the teachings will always remain and those who are worthy of them will always carry them in their heart. I welcome discussion ,comments. Megan Eagle Dreaming

From: Denise denise@pop.ctctel.com
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001

with permission to print this

They sell bottled water these days. water is sacred to everything under the sun. It would seem that your war is really against something far greater then you understand. especially when you attack "neopagans" and "new agers" now granted there are those out there who incorporate this or that into their beleif systems. That may be right or wrong I won't judge that. all that I will say is live and learn, if some people are going to stuble along the way, let em, it may well be for the greater good.

now there is nothing I can't stand more than a poser and a fake! we need to get rid of them really!

I just wouldn't want to stand in the way of anybody who wants to find the creator regardless of who they are or what path they are taking. The way I see things if someone is capitizing on something they ought not something sacred perhaps well thats something between them and the spirits, the creator. I am one to believe that the issues you speak of are really untouchable by ANYONE. As long as traditions are being kept good and true, by those who are true and those who are good. ones spiritual dignity should be well solaced within that. Frankly I'm personally honored when another one finds inspiration in what I beleive.

But please my freinds do not turn people away because they are not of your skin, or of your tribe, nation, or hemisphere. Teach what you know, and share with all people and greater the promised lands shall be. Just hope and pray they treat it well for their own sake.

From: Mustes Daemon yew@sorcery.ca
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001

You have my permission to post this on your web-site aswell as my e-mail address.

I am a student of Wicca of mixed European descent and Canadian birth. Though I am not yet an initiate, I have a background of study and training in a tradition from primarily Gardnerian Wicca lineage. I wish to dispell some misunderstanding of what this belief system entails as it has been taught to me. First of all there are at least two kinds of Wicca. One is a set of secret initiatory traditions which can in rough analogy be equated with the Kachina or Midewiwin. It however has nothing more than a bare surface resemblance to these Native traditions by virtue of the fact that it is a secret spiritual tradition exclusive to initiated members. The other form of Wicca is the so called "eclectic" Wicca which many non-initiates practice. Unfortunately there is no easy way to define or police what people associate with the title Wicca outside traditional circles. The problem is exacerbated by the popular press's treatment of Wicca, which in many cases is a blatent misrepresentation of the traditional practices and beliefs the term was originally meant to describe. Inclusive in this misrepresentation is the concomitant false association of Wicca with terminology and practices of unrelated traditions such as those of Native Americans, Hindus, etc. All question of antiquity aside, Wicca by it's traditional meaning is a completely seperate path of spirituality to those of Native Americans, albeit one which has it's own share of nature based beliefs. This misrepresentation of identity is the problem that has lead the Souix peoples to associate the theft of their spirituality with a spiritual path that is equally maligned after an identicle fashion.

Now as to why this has happened I will offer a brief hypothesis. Since the subjugation of Native peoples and later the advent of the industrial revolution, many landed European families have realised that the 'rape and pillage' model of civilisation and progress is severely flawed. As a result, particularly since the 60's in Canada and the US, many people have begun seeking a healthier and more naturalistic theology than that offered by the mainstream Levantine derived religions. The words of individuals such as Black Elk, Fools Crow and Ella Cara Deloria spoke directly to the hearts of alot of next generation Euro-American people (and still do) making them yearn for a means to express that same spirit of faith. So, even today alot of people searching for a way to express these things look to their source and draw inspiration from the Native traditions from which they were given birth. As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. The fact that often times, "white people" are hated and excluded from Native circles means that the practices are also occasionally taken out of context by *eclectic* or New-Age 'Wiccans' for the sake of expressing the inspiration and spiritual connection to the earth which they represent.

Europeans also have traditions which share in the spirit, kinship and beauty of the earth in a like manner to how Native peoples do. While these traditions have also been trampled and scattered through history, alot of their forms still exist in the hereditary and public rural folk traditions of nominal Christians throughout Europe and now also North America. Brittish and American traditional Wicca is in part a recreation of these practices in much the same way as many Native Americans bands are now forced to reconstruct what is remaining of their own ways within the context of modern circumstance. Albeit Europeans have a longer time of being persecuted for Pagan beliefs and thus find less in tact to preserve. Of necessity this recreation is a collective effort, done with the utmost desire to reclaim our distinct cultural identities and spirituality which are in harmony with the natural world. In principal I and many like-minded others are at "War against Exploitation of Wicca Spirituality". However we must all do our best to understand the *true* heart and identity of our enemy before we swear our battle oaths or raise our weapons. Doing otherwise makes us no more enlightened or responsible than those who sought to destroy our ancestral ways of life in the first place.

In short, I truly and sincerely wish that the Native people's of the Americas would look to the commonality of spirit that exists between our seperate struggling cultures. In this manner we may instead choose to join hands in rebuilding our world in a spirit that will do all of our ancestors proper justice.

Wisdom & Respect,

Yew

From: sara mapelli wildskil@teleport.com
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001

you have permission to print

I am white. I am leaving tomorrow to a sundance ceremony to support a friend who is to be eagle dancing. I am not too knowledgeable about the ceremony but I have tried to prepare myself as best as I can. Our camp is mostly white and mostly gay, though I am not. Three people from our camp are dancing and they are all white. One of the men, there is one woman, runs a sweat lodge open to anyone, the people. He was never asked for a blood test and he never asks for one. There is no charge for his ceremony and he will provide a sweat for anyone at anytime. The sweat lodge is a real lodge, I almost died in the last one it was so hot. it was purification for the dancers at sundance and it was my choice to go in and to stay in for support. 60 stones in three doors.

There is no charge for the sundance I am going to except a pool for food and port o potties. I came to this sight because I was looking for information on the sundance ceremony to clarify some things. My friend will be perched through the chest and dancing for four days without food or water and I will be dancing for him in support, eating and drinking and resting, for him while also being in my prayer. I see now that there will be people who dot want me there and people who will want me there more than the people who would push me away and declare war on me....I am going as an open heart and I am a little afraid.

From: RedHeart1022@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001
Subject: Permission granted to post this

I recall a priest telling me, "You become what you resent." And I see it happening in this declaration of war you have written and in the lives of the people I have met on the reservations in South Dakota. I recall Frank Fools Crow's words, "He who will not share his medicine will lose it," and I wonder if you even know he said that, based on this declaration. I recall Black Elk's Sacred Visions, and how all the nations would unite, and I know you don't honor it, by the words I've read.

My Irish ancestors have a history of invasion, decimation, and death. Every nation on this Earth has this story to tell. You are not alone. We are brothers and sisters in a world where war and domination seem to be the orders of the day. It can stop with us, today. And you can stop it by recinding your declaration of war and making a Declaration of Unity.

My son has been on the receiving end of help from a healer on the Rosebud Reservation. We endured the sweat lodges until we were blistered at Wounded Knee. My son and my family were forever changed by the willingness of a healer and a drummer to share their knowledge and gifts with us. We would never dare to desecrate or sell the Sacred.

Along with the healing that came to my son, my family and were exposed to bigotry, ignorance, and prejudice because we were white. How it would be that we would find healing in that atomosphere defies human reason, but God is not human and can work past the flaws of humans, as He did with my son. It was only after passing hard testing and dirission that we were able to leave Wounded Knee and Rosebud with our dignities and the respect of the Lakota who helped us. Much as we love these families, it saddens us to know that the hardness they hold in their hearts for the white people is just hardening their own hearts.

Forgiveness is the way to love. Love is the way to healing. Forgiveness and Love don't know skin color or ritual. It's time to put down the hatchet and the arrow and the gun and the shield. It's time to heal and learn from the past so that it doesn't come to the present. I would not be part Algonquin if some Red Nation people did not see the value in uniting with my Irish ancestors. Bad people are bad people, regardless of skin. Don't let their dark hearts color your own. Medicine and Power are of the Creator and cannot be bought or sold, so there is no need to worry about that. Let it all go, and Walk in Beauty and Balance on The Good Red Road, and let the charlatans and the snake oil sellers pay their prices without your threats and intercession--the laws of the Universe won't skip them, so trust that.

I pray for the healing of your hearts.

Remember what Mitakuye Oyasin means--get rid of this Declaration of War and live the meaning of Mitakuye Oyasin. Trust God and stop making such hurt live on.

Catherine Beitel--One Who Remembers

From: Ring, Mike MikeRing@kansascityhomes.com
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001

Regarding the War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality

You have permission to post my message

My mothers family is Mdwakanton Dakota and my fathers family is Choctaw, my wife's family is Seneca and Cherokee. None of us were raised in a traditional manner and at one time none of us even knew what nations we were. Yet we are here, we have survived the genocide. I have been the one who has had to go back and learn everything that was lost while our great grandparents fled for their lives in their own land. Now I am like the 28 year old elder of our family, I teach my parents, aunts & uncles, and in-laws. I have spent a long time learning from elders and leaders, yet I feel that I know almost nothing. I am NOT any type of holy man or leader, I am just a common man who would like to share his opinion. The new-agers make me sick, all they do is teach people how to mix a bunch of religious garbage into their own personal witchcraft. Most of those people I have ran into have no idea about "REAL" Lakota spirituality anyway. They are pretending, thus making a total fool out of themselves. Another thing they need to realize is that they do not know what they are playing with, the spirits will handle their misconduct.

As far as non-Indians go I think anyone who has a good heart should be able to participate in ceremonies AS LONG AS THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT BY THE CORRECT PEOPLE IN THE CORRECT WAY. You see, the Red Road is not easy. Many non-Indians cannot dedicate themselves to their own cultures religions much less ours. I was raised in church, I know what it takes to follow Christianity, I also know what it takes to follow the Red Road, and the Red Road is much more difficult. In my opinion the world would be a better place if more people followed our ways, think about how would that change our planet. I cannot exclude any race of man from our traditions and feel good about uttering the words Mitakuye Oyasin because I wouldn't really mean it when I said it. It is the same thing as saying "All my relations" except winged animals, sandstone, and my great grandma's mothers cousins. I do not teach anyone our spiritual ways, I do not have the rights to do that, and only those who have those rights should be teaching these ways. I will leave those decisions up to them because they have knowledge and right to use their discretion on who they will include.

Pidamaya, Mike Ring

From: Surguy4@aol.com
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001

To Whom it May Concern,
I study religion at the university level and am preparing to enter a Ph.D. program on religion. I sincerely sympathize with the statements and convictions of your cause. I find it an embarrassment when white people sell and trade cheap imitations of your art and religion. I truly hope and pray that you will be able to end this thievery of your religion

Sincerely,
Jack C. Surguy

I give permission

From: ojibwemo ojibwemo@greatlakes.net
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2001

IF YOU NEED MY PERMOSSION TO POST THIS CONSIDER IT GIVEN.

I understand that there are many individuals out there who seek to exploit and demean native traditions.They are out there to make the quick buck exploiting anyone who gets in their way.That is the same for almost all religions.Yes there are those who pretnd to be"Indian" carry a pipe and never truely understand its great value as a spritial conection.They seek the Creator but only on their own terms not understanding that he is already there.If they seek fun and games or seek instant gratification they ussually drift away rather quickly.One of my Teachers/Elder said if it was easy to walk the "Red Road" everyone would.It talkes humility,obedience ,trust and self sacrifice and a lot of work.No offence but most whites just do not have the ability to commit to this.It requires that we forget the so called American Dream and work not for ourselves but as a tool for the creator.To respect,listen and care for the children who are the future .The Elders who hold the keys to our past and can guide us to the future.If anyone regardless of race can accept this challenge and learn then it is not exploitation.I believe that if any individual is willing to accept the oldways learn the language and cerimonies then that has to be a good thing.The creator made all of us .I belive he will use native peoples to save our Mother Earth.Do not reject someone for the color of their skin or decent.Reject them if they are disrespectful or hurtful.

Be willing to teach.Even if they never accept your religious view they can respect it and perhaps understand more about what native peoples really are. Understanding reduces fear and brings compassion and peace.

Do not forget that the "PIPE" was a gift from a stranger to the Lakota people.

To answer the question you are probably asking. I am native american. I guess I am a lost one in that I was adopted. I have no proof of who I am only my heart to tell me where I belong. My teachers bless them one and all have taught me that it is actions that count not cards or papers. I have the deepest love and respect for my Lakota teachers they have always been loving and helpful.That is not to say that they can not get upset if I miss the lessons they try to teach.But then that is universal as my Ojibway teahers are just as demanding.Respect is the key .A willingness to learn from those who have so much to teach.

Respectfully,
Lisa

From: humain terrien rainbowstarlodge@hotmail.com
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2001

Dear Mr. Bucko,

Thank you to create a forum to express our feelings about this important matter. Please post my concerns if it's possible.

Dear friends,

I found on the website your "declaration of war"and I would like to share my comments. I am non-native american living in Canada since 1982. I have been guided through dreams and visions to meet my teachers. Since 8 years I follow the teachings and the guidance of my Traditional Native American Elders, Micmac, Algonquian,Odjibway, Cree, Innu who adopted me and my family in their families. I will finish my 7th and 8th sundancing this summer and I have been invited to smoke my pipe for the last 3 years in the Medewewin lodges. Two years ago I received in the traditional way the right to conduct sweat lodge ceremonies. Along the way, I also received through my fastings and from the Elders, my spirit name, medicines and medicines objects. I am drug, alcool, coffee, cigarettes and prescription drugs free from the last 7 years. I committed my life to this way and to the healing of myself and to the healing and peace between all the people. I feel in my heart the importance to take care and to preserve the teachings, the ceremonies and the sacred ways of the Grandfathers and the Grandmothers, but I also feel the necessity to keep them alive and to share them. I know that the Creator and Grandfathers and the Grandmothers know who we are in our hearts. I would like to ask you to share with me the way you see a non-native american receiving in the traditional way and conducting Native American Ceremonies for healing and not for profit. I welcome all comments on my E-mail. I wish a beautiful summer and lots of good ceremonies and healing for all of you.

In the Spirit of One Heart,
Black Mountain Lion, The One Who Listens

From: Angelika01@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001

You may publish this e-mail onto your website. Angelika Preston, angelika01@aol.com

Should all other races who have inherited other spiritual paths make War on the Lakota because they wear, perform, participate in ceremonies and rituals not of their ancestors? I think not. Freedom of religion is a human right. Should a Native American priest or minister be branded a fake? I hope not.

This call to arms feels myopic, fearful and oppressive. By implication, your theory suggests that not one Lakota person has the right to practice any other religion or become priests or ministers of any faith not of their ancestors. It suggests that ceremonies of other religions such as marriage, baptism, funerals, mass, confession, barmitzvas or rituals such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter should be forbidden to the Lakota people.

There are countless religions, faiths and belief systems in the world. I know because I have spent a great deal of time in the world. The Lakota do not have exclusivity to a belief system based on Mother Earth and Father Sky. Learn about aboriginal spirituality in places like Australia, Africa, Mexico, Columbia and Peru. You will discover common ground.

Contact and knowledge with these people changed my faith and belief system and it has grown because of the challenges they presented to the strictures of my religion. I can integrate what to me is a knowing. How dare anyone suggest I must limit myself to my ancestors. That is arrogant. There is one great spirit for all living things and call on it by Wakan Tanka or any name you chose because there are hundreds. The important part is the calling.

Breath life into your spiritual way by being. Irradicate the trivial misrepresentation and romanticising of who you are. Get real. ALL souls are connected as one. That IS the great mystery.

Angelika Preston
angelika01@aol.com

From: laurent mougeot laurentm@ireseau.com
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001

I cannot help but feel sorry for the Lakota people who wrote this declaration of war, for it is filled with anger, hatred, insecurities and disrespect for other human beings who they refer to as "wannabees" and "charlatans". As a follower of the Mediwin tradition AND a white man, I know one thing: Mediwin is an ancestral Native belief system that is, as one respectable Elder put it to me, based on one principle: RESPECT.

First of all, I do wish to join the authors in their outrage toward the commercialization of spiritual practices. It is true that traditions are being used all over the world by Natives and Non-Natives in order to "make a buck" which is reprehensible.

However, I urge you to take a look at the world's main religions: Christianism, Judaism, Boudism, Hinduism, Muslims...These religions and all others that I know of are based on beliefs, not on race. No doubt, some syncretist New-Agers and Wannabees are misusing Lakota and other traditional Native teachings. So why not let them be? Such anger towards them reflect, in my opinion, a great deal of insecurity. It is true that so much has been stolen from Natives over the last centuries by White People: Their Land, Pride, Language, Traditions...But stealing means "taking away". Native Spirituality was taken away at one point by priests who forced children and adults into Christianism and convinced them that their practices will lead them to Hell. However, when a Non-Native adopts Native beliefs as his own, like I did, is he taking anything away from you? Does your spirituality vanish and passes on to him? I believe not. On the contrary, no religion can live in a cage. You should feel proud, not hurt that other races have an interest in your beliefs, and instead of hating them and trying to stop them, you should TEACH them so that they can learn the right way instead of distorting Ceremonies and Teachings.

In this declaration of war I sense racism, a concept that Non-Natives are impure, undeserving of your ways. Are we not made of the same flesh and blood? Is the Creator only yours and not ours? Does he favor only Natives? Non-sense!

A note on Shamanism. I am a practitioner of Shamanism and have been for many years. I have had a calling has a child in the form of a strange "neurosis" and visions. This practice has been in my family for generations, going back to Spain's "Brujos" and "Brujas". It may come as news to you, but Shamanism has NOT been invented by Natives of North America. According to Mircea Eliade, an authority on the matter, Shamanism sprung in many different cultures, as an archetypal expression of a belief system deeply rooted in the psyche of humanity. There are Jewish Shamans as well as Koreans, Spanish, Gaelic, Japanese, Lapons and many others. Your claim that there are no White Shamans is therefore completely unfounded.

I have been learning and practicing the way of the Mediwin and Shamanism for many years, in respect and humility. These are my beliefs. So tell me, authors, since I am White, should I force myself to believe in Jesus instead? How am I hurting you by using my Drum or going in a Sweatlodge? RESPECT. This is what it is all about.

May you go in peace and Kitchi Manitoo be with you always.

Laurent Mougeot
First Nations Addictions Counsellor
Maniwaki, Quebec
laurentm@ireseau.com

PS: I hereby officially authorize Webmaster to post the above letter, with my name and E-mail address. Thank you.

From: rodrigo silva ras00@mb.sympatico.ca
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2001

I think this page say's a lot about real and unfortunately on going rip off's of the traditional Lakota, Nakota, Dakota and don't forget Cree traditions (cree's were also practiconers of sweatlodges and sundances)a most upsetting peice of information i herd was the sale of cottoncandy and pepsi at a sundance in alberta. i've also seen with my own eye's a sundance which used a p.a. system and where the dancers would leave the arber at night to bed their mates. these are sundances that were run by traditional people. many who follow the way have slacked a little, which i believe has opened the doors for the fakers, con-men and wanna-be's. a sundance should not have any(!!!) forms of electonial devices on the sundance grounds. sundancers should not leave the arber during the sundance never mind bedding their mates during sundance. i have listend carfully to what my elders say is and is not becoming during sundance. befor charlitons can be exposed traditionalists must remember the meaning of the word tradition. one thing that is missing in the declaration which is a practice i recent is people who practice or claim to practice in order to sexually explote people who are sencerly intrested in learning the traditional way of life. (hope i have not offended any one)

If u want to put this on your site that is fine with me.

R.A. Silva A.K.A (no-one special)

and if any one wants to critisize my opinion you may also post my e-mail

From: Grimatter@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2001

You have my permission to post this response to the declaration.

My heart goes out to the Sioux and others that have had, and continue to have, their spiritual customs and ceremonies raped by those outside the circle. As a 'white' American, descendant of Irish and French immigrants, I also recognize the desire of those without a deep spiritual conviction to 'borrow' from those they deem more in tune naturally.

The bottom line is it is offensive. Thus, it must stop. I encourage all who deeply desire to commune with the earth, with nature, with who they are, to work for their own personal peace the hard way. The hard way is to recognize and celebrate the different ways that others commune without hijacking pieces and parts. The hard way is to develop a personal relationship with nature that is comfortable. Flash and dash is fun, but it is not lasting. Those who are momentarily blinded by the peace they bought will, in the end, revert to their pre-experience self. The better plan is an inward reflection and recognition that will bring about the lasting comfort and peace that we all strive for.

When I was 6 years old my mother asked me, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I said "An Indian." I wanted to ride, and plant, and work, and tend sheep. I wanted long black hair. I wanted a world of little words. I wanted The Hollywood Indian. I was sucked into the false picture that is so appealing. I am ashamed now of my younger views. By believing the hype I was making a difference in who we are as people on a fundamental level. It is unfair and wrong.

I wish you well.

Jennifer Prunty

From: chris loust cloust@mediaone.net
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2001

Its about time. I have long been looking for a page like this and now that I have found it, I plan on mailing it to a few friends who are what I call "victims" of fraudulent plastic medicine people. Unfortunately, my friends do not seem to understand how their attendance of so-called shaman workshops are nothing more than total exploitation, total hogwash and bullshit, a misrepresentation of another peoples understanding and practicing of ancient ways. I am so sick to death of seeing so many white people "playing Indian" and paying to attend so-called Native American workshops so they can "find themselves". Do not get me wrong. I feel sorry for these lost white people on the one hand, on the other hand they do not or will not understand what their "soul searching" is costing others. Indeed, they do not seem to understand that such knowledge is not for sale. Instead, they attend these workshops and appear to present themselves as "understanding" a "given way", speaking in a loose way, using terminology that amounts to allot of gibberish.

Thanks again for this beautiful page. I am so thankful to see that these criminals are being exposed for what they are.

Oops. I did not say this but I will now. By all means use my message and post it along with the others.

cloust

From: Tim Lamb osha241@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2001
Subject: permission to post

To all who this interests,

Several years ago Arvil Looking Horse came speak at a college here in the town i live in. I was drawn to go listen to what he had to say, and was initially surprised when i heard his speaking style. I began to realize that he was just a very ordinary person. I had naively assumed he would be a spiritual leader of some sort. He did seem to act as a conduit 'hollow bone' for some other forces however. When people in the audience began yawning, i realized it was because they were waking up, not getting sleepy. I also noticed the presence of a great number of security some of whom appeared to be armed and had the look of seasoned veterans. I naively assumed that they were protecting him from hostile white racist types; the kind who issued that horrible mock fish and game regulation about regulations for hunting native people.

However, i later found out that he was being protected from another kind of racist. The kind who do not approve of the way he is carrying out his responsibility. The kind of racist who would threaten one of their own because he is praying with people who are the wrong skin color, people who have too much privilege, people who need too much help. Is this the kind of world you want to live in? Think about it.

I offer an opposing view. "Now your way of life is no longer working, and so you are interested in our way. But if we tell you our way, then it will be polluted, we will have no medicine, and we will be destroyed as well as you." -Buffalo Tiger, Micasukee Nation* I believe that i understand what this man is saying. I believe that he feels that the ways he has kept have remained unchanged enough to warrant their protection from the penetrating minds of curious 'civilized' people. When the ways are taken out of context removed from the spirits that safeguard them or removed from the language that is a part of them they lose their meaning. Not only that but they can be dangerous for the people who use them in such a manner. However, most committed spiritual leaders do what the spirits ask them to. When the spirits came to Dawson No Horse, they did not care that he was a Christian minister, and neither did Frank Fools Crow who immediately recognized that he should be taught to be a yuwipi man. Dawson, I am told healed many people of all nationalities. Do you think that Frank Fools Crow would have said the same thing as this man i quoted above?

You might be thinking that there is a difference between white attending ceremonies and white people becoming initiated to conduct those ceremonies and you are right. I don't know much, but i know of no white people who have been legitimately initiated to conduct a yuwipi ceremony. However, I do know some whites who have sun danced for a long time (over 15 years in one instance)I know whites who have married into families of Lakota people have children with them. I know whites who have been well accepted by Lakota spiritual leaders (not plastic medicine men) and taught to carry a pipe by them. Many of these people white people have a pretty deep understanding of Lakota spirituality and are far from being hokey new age hucksters out to make a buck or pump up their ego's. To me they seem like people who have suffered greatly for their prayers, and are living an exemplary life in order to show their gratitude for what they have been given by the creator and by the Lakota people. To me they seem aware that people suffered greatly to keep these ways alive and then chose to share them.

You are concerned about your young people, what will be left for them if every sun dance is full of whites? I have learned that in the old days there were few "family sun dances". The sun dance was a yearly event and each extended family sent honored and exemplary people to represent them in it. In its modern form the sun dance is about much more than its original spiritual and social functions. There are more people praying for healing, there are people from non-plains nations attracted to it for various reasons, many people use the sun dance to identify themselves with pride as a native person. I have been shown that this is good. I also think it is good that white people have been participating. The effect of their participation (if it is in a legitimate ceremony) goes out in a positive way to help the people around them.

A white middle-class soccer mom's cancer has been healed in part by the earnest prayers of her son who suffered and danced for her. How do you think that woman will now view the Lakota people? The Lakota people will receive blessings and opportunities from their relationship with other peoples in a spiritual way. There have been and will continue to be abuses of the privileges given to people who use the ways of your people. There are very old stories about abuse of power by phony spiritual people among the Lakota and other Nations. As i stated in the previous letter, I believe that many of the elders and spiritual men who chose to teach white people knew what they were doing, and were instructed to do so by the spirits. Have you so little faith in the strength of your ways that you think some new-age hucksters could harm them? Have you so little faith in people who kept the ways alive by holding ceremonies hidden in the badlands? Have you so little faith in people who conducted ceremonies in public and faced physical and psychological abuse for doing it? For it was some of the same people who after doing those things then shared your ways with white people.

I must apologize for questioning your faith and your knowledge. I don't know so much. Especially in the last letter i was getting kind of cranky. I am lucky to even be alive, and it is by the grace of beings committed to the development and healing of humanity that i am alive. It is not my intent to make you feel bad, or to shame you as some people have in the other letters. Once again I very much appreciate what you are doing, and I am doing my best to honor what i think it is that you want while following my own heart and the teachings of people close to me. And isn't that about what we are put here to do anyway? As human beings I believe it is our duty to let our child’s heart reconcile what we have been given from tradition with what we encounter in the world we find ourselves a part of.

Here is a prayer from my ancestors taken from a book of very old poetry translated out of old English.

**CHARM FOR BEWITCHED LAND
(Ms. Cotton Caligula A.viii, lines 69-71)
Soil, be well again.
Earth, mother of men,
Let God fulfill you with food, be ripe
And fruitful, and give us life.

Thank you once again for allowing me to post on this issue.

*quoted from "The Gaia Atlas of First Peoples 1990 Gaia Books Ltd., London."

**quoted from “Poems From the Old English” 1960, 1964 University of Nebraska

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