Responses to the Declaration:
War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality

October 13, 1998 to March 28, 1999

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: Mikala St. Germain mikala_st.germain@usa.net
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 1999

I greatly respect what is said in the statement. To retain the full measure of spiritual truth and strength of their traditions, the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people, as well as all American tribes, must keep their traditions pure and sacred. This is also true of all people who hold sacred traditions, for not only Native traditions have been glamorized by Hollywood, or those "pretending" .

I would also hope that the concept of brotherhood/sisterhood of all people remain a part of that tradition. Non-Natives need not copy or try to emulate Native tradition to desire to understand and respect it. Here in the Southwest it is clear that we must respect one another and learn from one another to create the respectful environment that will help us all. Isolationism or elitism will not serve the Earth nor the world in which we find ourselves.

No one can damage what is in our heart.

(You may post this. However, I found no other comments on the pages.)

Mikala

From: Mountainbird, Christopher F. [mailto:medboy@mocc.com] Sent: Saturday, March 20, 1999

I am resending the following message having realized I failed to previously state that you may publish my reply. You may publish the following as you wish.

I offer these words to my Lakota friends. I have no American Indian blood and have never claimed any right to your spiritual ways. However, I have many full blood friends whom I know would disagree with your well intended desire to protect your knowledge of our Creator as your own personal property. Most of these friends I speak of are not only full blooded and registered but either Lakota and Nakota. Some are teachers in your reservation schools. Please do not become angry with me as I think you are right to protest any person or group that pretends (lies) to be something they are not. I also think any of these people who make money from their supposed ceremonies should be intentionally shunned, whether they are of American Indian blood or not, and I know some who are truly American Indians charging for what the creator gave them freely. However I must stand up and speak the truth from my heart and tell you it is not good that you say all non-Indian people should keep out of your religion. Some people like myself follow the Lakota way out of respect and the fact that we woke up and realized you understand the truth of creation like no other people. You have the truth. The great spirit showed you his truth. I don't want to steal it from you. People like me just wish to serve the creator and honor creation. I'm not a "new agree". I think those people are fools. So please don't group me with them when you declare war on those who steal your way. If you see me at your pow-wows, and you probably have, I wont be pretending to be Lakota. I am always honest and tell those who ask the truth. All I am saying is consider amending your declaration and acknowledge that there are a few true friends of the Lakota who may follow your ways with respect and honor though they were not fortunate enough to be gifted by the creator with American Indian blood. I tell you the truth, though we may be extremely few, I am one of those people who are humbly respectful of the Lakota people and the ways the creator has shown them. I am your friend. Even if you declare war on me and reject me for praying to the power that makes the earth in the way you do, I will always be your friend. My Nakota language teacher, an elder, put it to me this way: "It is the path you are true to in your heart that matters most." Can you see that some of us are truly your friends and are seeking your wisdom in a sacred manner because you have been blessed with the highest wisdom in all the earth? Some of us white people have finally realized our blindness and ignorance and are simply turning to you for answers, not to rob you as our ancestors did and many of our contemporaries still do.

Kona daya umbi

(may you be in a good way friend),

Christopher M.

From: SHayes3401@aol.com
Sent: Friday, March 26, 1999

I am a non-native, partial-native actually. Not long ago I became interested in the Sacred Sweet Lodge ceremonies. I knew before starting that this, and all ceremonies of the Native peoples, WERE NOT MINE. I have been blessed to have a guide and mentor sent to me, to guide me, in learning about these great spiritual ways. I am a long way off from my first experience in the Sacred Sweet Lodge. I am still reading, learning, and developing a respect for these events. I encourage your actions and support your declaration. If these religious and cultural ceremonies of the lives of Native peoples are not protected now, they will be lost forever.

You have my permission to publish my response.

S. Hayes

From: carolyn mailto:otto@ipa.net
Sent: Friday, March 12, 1999

yes, my permission to post

i did not read the declaration, but i read many of the responses, and i feel i probably know the declaration by heart without the reading of it...i have heard it many times in my life...it must go something like this.

We, as indian people have our ways, and they were given specifically to us...it has always been our way of life, and by birthright it is ours...others, maybe not stated, but specifically implied to be white, have taken everything from us, and now they are encroaching on our spiritual beliefs also. They (the whites) hear someone speak, they go into a lodge, they then set up workshops of their own, and charge a price for this, and they have no right to do this. this is the one thing indian people have that is theirs that no one else has a right to.

i am guessing at the statement, and i should probably just read it and quit guessing, but i'm not going to do this at this point.

i suppose at this time also, i should declare my blood heritage, and let every one know if i am coming from "one side", or "the other side"...it is not important to me, and my feeling is that it should not be important to you either. All of us at this time in life have grown up in what we all will recognize as the united states...we may have come from rosebud, we may have come from opie's mayberry, we may have come from any section of a vast, varied landscape, but everyone of us, whether we recognize or acknowledge this to be our "home", know we come from some place that has been labeled the "united states of america"...and here we are together and separate. we all speak different languages, we all speak different dialects of the same language, some of us are smarter than others, because we know a language other than english.

is it right for whites to assume lakota spirituality? i do not know...is it right for lakota to assume white christianity??? i don't know. is it right for whites or lakota to practice buddism, or blacks to preach "the gospel"...i don't know...is it right for dine' to hold a sundance, for a cheyenne to use the inipi...i don't know ...is it right for any person in this so called u.s. to use the words god damn...i do not think so....but i may also be wrong about that.

is it wrong for whites to charge for lakota teachings...or is it wrong for a lakota to charge for lakota teachings...is it wrong for a person with 1/8 lakota blood to charge for lakota teaching, a person with 1/16 lakota blood...is it wrong to not ask for money but accept donations..

.is it wrong for a lakota full blood who grew up in seattle, went to the public schools, knew none of their relatives outside of the immediate family,never learned their own language, never participated in ceremony, to assume they had the lakota spiritual knowlege and get angry with anyone of any other color who may have had more experience in these ways???

i do not know

we now live in a world that is all mixed up, and in many ways it is, i am sure i cannot swear here, but it is , insert swear word, ..........blanked up. peoples paths cross, lives co-mingle...it is not necessarily by choice, it is by life. there is some phrase that gets used alot nowadays...politically incorrect...there was a wonderful thing i saw on the news about 6 or 7 years ago...there was some east indian guru named bagwan rajneesh, and some main television news reporter stopped one of his closest people...a her, and asked her about some of the jokes bagwan told his followers, and why he told these jokes. He asked her this question, because many of the jokes were ethnic, or "politically incorrect", and her response was wonderful...She said, "because they are funny"

what are we all afraid of here...is it truly possible to lose our spirituality because someone who may not understand the whole scope of it is selling it??? can we be lessened by someone praying with the canupa...even if they are not sure of the entirety of it?? are we sure we know all there is to know about ceremony...and are we so scared that someone else may not, that we may forget something ourselves??? and what is this deal about all the white people writing into this forum, pleading and begging to be acknowledged for their lack of indian blood, but please understand their deep knowledge and interest in this way of life....if this is your knowledge, and your way of working yourself through this life, if this is how you relate to your day to days, do not apologize for your race...you get to the spirit, and there is no race...i hope...

i have three boys...now i raise them alone...i have taught them what i know about life, and what i know about life is what i have learned from every experience, every person, and every culture that i have, that we have, known in our present time on this earth... my folks live in the bahamas...my youngest son's dad was at the occupation of wounded knee for the entire time, and my oldest two son's dad now lives in canada...though their youngest years were spent in hawaii...my sons and i now live in arkansas...we only have the canada dad left, the other passed away two years ago...in denver...

are we hawaiian, canadian, lakota, bahamian, or southern??? i do not know...i know we feel a kinship in the lodge...we spent that time there in the passing of one dad...we have spent many times in that place, and that is home to us ...home....Two of my children do not find this to be their comfortable place, while one of them does. Two of them are at an age to be able to be about to leave home and find their own experiences, the youngest will be with me for quite awhile longer...my place is in the lodge...it has been there for 30 years of my 45 year old life..it has been there for all the years of my childrens lives, but only the 9 year old has it as his home also. the 16 and 18 year old know this place, have been comforted in this place, have made changes in this place, and have known this place their whole lives, yet this has not been their way. They are familiar with this, they know this, it is in their life...it is the only way they have been given, taught by me to pray in a sense, and they do not deny it, it is a part of them, it is what they know as a way of life, but not something they have, after a certain age embraced....

now tell me, when this is all they know, when this is part of their beings, when they have lived this from their inception, and they do not chose to follow this, yet know it with every fiber in their genetic makeup...is that okay??? it is...they are wonderful...it is there...it is a part of them, and they will go thru life knowing...they may never enter another lakota ceremony in their lives...but they will always have the knowledge

and i wonder, what can be wrong with this....what race am i ....what race are my children...we truly have never questioned this...within our own family we have different blood lines....all children have come thru our house...it has been open for any child and as life continues, and in a small town, alll children have come thru this house...isn't that what it is all about...the children??/

We pray in the way we do....others who pass thru this household pray in a way possibly different from us, maybe some have never learned how to pray...and yet any child that comes thru this house brings their own experiences, and they are seldom ours. The prayer is for the children and those yet to come...it does not matter who is taking whose religion or spiritually...it matters what happens to the children...and any prayer that comforts them is where we need to be...

spirituality can never be "ours" or "theirs"...who does that serve...forget the ones who sell the "secrets" ...there are no secrets...as we search our lives, as we go on, we hopefully will find our way...any help we can get to connect to the prayer that will help the children will help us all...of course there are secrets...but if we simply live our lives and pray for the children and the unborn, who can we hurt and who can we help and why should we fear secrets being stolen???

From: Markderder@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999

You are free to post this.

Although I think respecting the past is important, and for those who are not Indians our own pre-Christian past that we were taught to disrespect is very important to reclaim and recover. Its important for Indians to respect and love their cultural heritage. But an attempt to glorify the past and ignore the progress that the human race has made in knowledge and possibility is in my opinion quite stupid, whether it is done by Indians or whites. Religious fundamentalism is a curse on this planet, whether it is Hindu, or Christian or Moslem or any other religion including Indian religions. Knowledge and truth, whether it is psychological and spiritual or scientific and material, is not a possession of any single people but a gift to all people from nature and the cosmos. I would hope that most Indians would want to fight for the human rights of all people and take their identities not merely from tribes but from being human. I would hope that most white people would not want to take their identity from their race and claim all scientific and religious knowledge as somehow belonging to white people, as some white supremacists do but rather would think of themselves as human beings with kinship to all other human beings. White people need to grow up and don't need to "play" Indian and some "fundamentalist" Indians ought to try to grow up and just become human beings--members of the entire human race instead of declaring war on other childish people. All human beings are interconnected in the natural web of life--what happens to one of us happens to all of us. Its time to for all of us to grow up and quit playing cowboys and Indians--that time has past. Its time for all of us, Indians and Whites, to face reality to quit resisting the modern world and try humanizing it and using science and technology to benefit all people instead of just the few in the economic elite.

From: Markderder@aol.com Markderder@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 1999

You are free to post this.

Although I think respecting the past is important, and for those who are not Indians our own pre-Christian past that we were taught to disrespect is very important to reclaim and recover. Its important for Indians to respect and love their cultural heritage. But an attempt to glorify the past and ignore the progress that the human race has made in knowledge and possibility is in my opinion quite stupid, whether it is done by Indians or whites. Religious fundamentalism is a curse on this planet, whether it is Hindu, or Christian or Moslem or any other religion including Indian religions. Knowledge and truth, whether it is psychological and spiritual or scientific and material, is not a possession of any single people but a gift to all people from nature and the cosmos. I would hope that most Indians would want to fight for the human rights of all people and take their identities not merely from tribes but from being human. I would hope that most white people would not want to take their identity from their race and claim all scientific and religious knowledge as somehow belonging to white people, as some white supremacists do but rather would think of themselves as human beings with kinship to all other human beings. White people need to grow up and don't need to "play" Indian and some "fundamentalist" Indians ought to try to grow up and just become human beings--members of the entire human race instead of declaring war on other childish people. All human beings are interconnected in the natural web of life--what happens to one of us happens to all of us. Its time to for all of us to grow up and quit playing cowboys and Indians--that time has past. Its time for all of us, Indians and Whites, to face reality to quit resisting the modern world and try humanizing it and using science and technology to benefit all people instead of just the few in the economic elite.

From: Rainbowbird rainbowbird@cable.A2000.nl
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 1999

Permission to post my reaction.

Once I had a dream vision, I turned into a wolf, running as fast as I could, seeing and smelling like a wolf. Hills and mountains I ran and up in the hills, I changed into human again. As I walked along. I saw that I was awaited. An old indian man stood before a cave with a long stick and gave me an owls feather and a name.

He called me Rainbowbird.

That was more than 16 years ago. I had no idea about Indian spirituality nor did I know the word shamanism. I was not on drugs with that vision, nor did I know what real dreaming was. Now I know.

I got some teachings from a native man, his grandfather was a medicine man, and teached him, when he went back to the reservation. And no I didn't pay money for it. Spirit took him, but in my heart he will live on.

Years later I got through a friend an owls feather from a medicine woman that she gave him to give me, as she heard my name. I didn't ask for it nor did he.

I have never been in a sweatlodge and I do not use a pipe. But I dream a lot and I see many things because of that. That is how I learned to understand more of the medicine wheel my teacher told me about.

I didn't intent my vision, nor did I ask for it. But thanks to it many gifts came into my life.

I understand your frustration because of New age shamanism. I don't know if I am a offense to you, but if I am I ask your forgiveness.

Rainbowbird

From: ARTHUR MEDCN EAGLE WANBALI-WAKAN2@webtv.net
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 1999

Being American Indian I see daily the backbiting and infighting among my people as being sad. Our cultures and our ways are being tormented daily by non indian and also by our own who place our traditional ways out on the market for a few bucks .New agers are not necessarily white people but a conglomeration of mixtures. Wannabees as we call them are in this also. We cannot allow our spiritual Items to be sold at Pow wow . In Indiana and Michigan I see a lot of this disrespect going on and the committies allow it to be.Our Spiritual Ways are not for sale! I saw an ad in Ohio where a real Lakota Indian sells sweat lodge to people for a fee on weekends. These kind of people when approached say sue me! They know we haven't a leg to stand on as long as the fighting goes on and no unity comes about. We speak of Pipes being sold in shops of witches, and even among our own at pow wow. How do we stop it? Our problem is that we let people get away with it for a long time .Our Grandparents and parents kept many of us hidden from who we are and so no one was there to step forward and say NO! We all need to UNITE AND STOP THIS BEHAVIOR. It is not only a Lakota thing its a 500 nations thing.The time is here people lets get it done.Stand strong and remember this, We were known as the people before the Euro races broke us apart and renamed us.Everyone wants to be us but few can match up to the strict criteria we have to be us. You may reprint this. A.M.E.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Many responsibilities have I and all that I have; I will continue doing even when others are gone. Ajo:Arthur Medicine Eagle
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

From: Kevin Tyler tatanka@dmi.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 1999

I have agonized over how to respond to this declaration of war. But after some serious thought on the matter I decided that the only way to respond was to show my feelings to both sides of the issue. The Lakota, Dakota, & Nakota nations as well as all other Native Americans have every right to be outraged at the desecration, false representations, and general debasement of the entirety of their culture,& heritage. Just as other religions have decried the defilement of their services so to should all native peoples. But have we not yet learned that the best way to combat these things is with the truth. Would we rather a world filled with the ignorant as it is now that constantly take from our mother the earth without a thought our care for her well being? Shall we continue to live in the chaos of imbalance? Understand though that I do not presume to tell you how to handle these things. Although to my knowledge I have no Native American blood, my children and husband have some(how much is unknown due to family secrecy of the past), and my sister's husband & their children are of Chippewa descent and registered with their tribe. I have always tried to instill a deep & abiding pride of my childrens heritage in them, and to be proud of who their ancesters were. But it is dificult to do this in truthful honorable ways when you(as in a collective sense)choose to keep me from gaining knowledge just because of my heritage. Although I seek to learn about things I do not presume that after hearing about something, witnessing any act, or any other multitude of things to run right out and do it. For example- although I know the mechanics of the Sun Dance, I do not know the prayers(nor am I qualified to) and I would never presume to make any up, nor would I try to preform any of the cerimonies. That is for the (real) Shamans, Tribal Elders, & Honored Society members to do. All I ask for is the opporitunity to learn the truth, share the truth with my family, & instill pride in all those around me about all Native Americans past, present, & future.

Remember to always be proud of who you are and where you came from. Our history is everything we are.

You have my full permission to post this message.

from: V.
March 1, 1999

From: Kathi Polansky Polansky@iams.org
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 1999

You may post this along with my e-mail address.

I am a white non-Indian of Italian-American descent. I have been studying Lakota history, spirituality, and language. The writings of Black Elk have shown me that the philosophies I have maintained since childhood have a home in Native American Spirituality. I have always believed that man does not own the Earth. We are a product of the Earth, sustained by her, and our bodies will go back to her when we pass on, regardless of race, class, or sex. One cannot put a price on or claim ownership of the land, the air, the sea, or the creatures of the Earth.

Do my beliefs make me a "wannabe"?

I am troubled by this "Declaration of War". I realize that there are those who will exploit the culture and scam those who trust. I, too, could be scammed in my search for belonging and the Natural Way. But this Declaration of War... does it not alienate you from those of other races who are genuinely called to learn from your ways? Terms like "wannabe" or "plastic shamans" counter the prophecy of the Warrior of the Rainbow and the belief that we are all related. Your ways could save our Mother Earth and usher in the New Millennium in peace and balance. We need you.

I cannot right the wrongs of the white men who invaded and stole your land, broke their promises, raped your women, took your children, and penned you in concentration camps they called "reservations". Such atrocities can never be undone. But I can become an activist for your people and the Earth. I can learn and respect the sacredness of your ways. I can strive to be a Rainbow Warrior - but not if you've declared war on me.

I do not dress like an Indian, nor do I feign native descent. I do, however, feel a spiritual connectedness to your ways and wisdom. If I were ever lucky enough to have an opportunity to be counseled by a native elder, I would listen in awe and learn. I'd like to believe that, if my reverence for the Red Road is pure and my faith in the Natural Way is true, then the Lakota would open their arms to me and welcome me as a friend.

Am I naive?

polansky@iams.org

From: Ruth Tawanna Mims, Estella rtmims@student.gc.maricopa.edu
Sent: Saturday, February 20, 1999

Yes you have my permission to submit my remarks.
estellamims@yahoo.com

Well let me start off by saying that to the best of my knowledge my heritage is as I have coined it "Afro-Euro-Native-American", and possibly not in that order. I haven't been able to research it fully yet but I have been told that we have Blackfeet, Cherokee, and Choctaw ancestry. I know that my great-grandfather on my father's side was a negotiator between settlers and the Native Nations where he lived in Oklahoma, and because of good friendship with one of the Chiefs was invited to be registered as part of his tribe during a time when land grants were being made. Although I have been brought up African American, only because of the lack of information about other ancestry. I've mentioned my background a little to say that I am fiercely proud of my Native ancestry. If someone could respond to me personally so that I can learn what is correct and what is not correct concerning the mentioned ceremonies. I sure there are some well intentioned people who have inadvertently disgraced the great ceremonies because of a lack of knowledge concerning them.

When I am able to tell the difference between what is traditional and what is counterfeit or sacrilegious I want to be able to speak out with authority. Being Black I am keenly aware of what it is like to have false representations of one's culture displayed as fact to the undiscriminating masses. In fact almost on a daily basis I find myself having to explain the correct origins or original intent of something related to my heritage to individuals who choose to live in ignorant bliss. For example explaining how may hair can go from tight, short curls, to long and straight, to tiny braids all in one week. I have chosen to keep explaining myself because if there is even one less person who is ignorant to my ways, then there is one more bit of positive reinforcement about me and my people on the earth,this has to be a good thing.

So if I were to close my fists, my eyes, my ears and mouth, and turn my back to those who are in need of education about my people, would the world be better for it? The answer can't possibly yes, otherwise all of us wouldn't be having this discussion. For those of you who are more apart of the Native Nations than I am, I sure will agree you are better people for being brought in traditional ways or at least having access to it.Wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were to apply the traditional ways to there style of living? Of course unfortunately there will always be those misguided persons with darkened souls, who will disgrace and make a mockery of the old ways. These people must be stopped, and by the grace of God, swiftly! Isn't there room also for the real truth seeker as well?

My home is near a community college, and often different cultural events are held on the campus. One night I was on the roof looking at the stars and I began to strain my ears because I was sure could hear drumming in the distance.I concentrated on the drums to hear the lilting rhythm. I was compelled to be near it. I just ran out of the house with no thought for I.D. or jacket or shoes. I must of ran and walked throughout the neighborhood for several miles trying to catch the right direction of the drums before I found myself wandering around the college campus. It was a truly beautiful experience, lessons were learned that night. Again what about the honest truth seekers?

Estella Mims

From: Rob Oosterom
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 1999

Yes, you have my permission to post this letter.

I am a white man, and I am 40 years old. I live in Holland (Europe). And I am very confused.For several years I was looking for something in my life. I did not know what it was. Until I met a man who invited me for a Sweat Lodge. That experience changed my life. I found myself in a place sacred by Archie Fire Lamedear. The man told me about the rituals and the history of the Sweat Lodge. I was very touched by the stories about the Lakota traditionals and why Archie brought it to Holland. I understood that it was about time that it was important for Archie to give the ritual of the Sweat Lodge to the other side of the ocean.

From that time it took place in many hearts of my friends. I will try to explain what it does to me. In my culture there was no place for rituals. I discovered the strength of it. In my heart was a need to live the word respect. Now I think what it means. In my live I was looking for mother nature. I am on my way to discover what it means. The spirits gave me one big goal in my life. Your way of looking towards things and the wisdom of the stones helps me to forfill my task on earth. The task of coming home.........

I want you to know something. During our Sweat Lodge we are not playing being an Indian. Although we are white and in your point of view we are abusing your cultural heritage, we treat all of our the aspects with the most respect we have. Persons who are acting with disrespect will be thrown out immediately. And yes, we are singing Dakota songs and we use the Stone Ceremony and we build the Lodge in the way of the Medicine Wheel. But you have to know that it gave a lot to me and thousands of friends.

As I said, we do not understand probably the word respect. But in our cold country we are trying

I am not looking for war but I am looking for love

(I am sorry for my English)

Rob Oosterom
Holland

From: vidrinec@MAIL@CYBERVIEW.NET
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 1999

You may publish this e-mail.

Is a red person who hates white person any better than the oposite?

Can a person inherit a religion geneticaly with out being instructed?

If A person or group of people knew of a true spiritual path to God, should they jealously guard it or does the creator see us all as children non more deserving than the other?

If a teacher saw a student imitating the teacher incorrectly, would it be more proper for the teacher to declare war or offer guidance?

Who does God want instructed on proper whorship, only a select gentically decended few or all who earnestly seek?

Is Heaven only big enough for a few and subject to crowding, or will the angles rejoice even greater the more souls who come home.

Is a person who knowingly keeps another person from finding God or even looking correctly, worthy of going to Heaven?

If a person were given the most marvelous gift ever to be offered a human (salvation) and that person kept it only for himself and his family would that be the correct thing to do.

If everyone was lost and you new the secret of navigation by the stars would you be a better person for keeping it to yourself.

Ok you get my feelings on this subject. Are you wondering if I am Native American or Caucasion? Would it bother you if I told you I was black? Would you be bothered to find out that if the Europeans had first been instructed on Native American spirituality and ecological conservation there would have never been the genocide of Turtle Island?

From: Cheegawi@aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 08, 1999

You may publish my response.

Ho kola to my brothers and sisters of all the four races. I have read many of your responses to the "Declaration of War",and I must say it saddens me to know that people will use a system of beliefs to make a profit. Yet it must be remembered that the Christians do the very same thing every day. Just turn on the television and you will see the proof of this. There are tele- Evangelists selling salvation on almost every network, and they've been at it for a lot longer than the "New Agers" have been.

To these so called "religious leaders" I will say this;" When the creator walks upon the breast of the Earth Mother once more...will you be able to look Him in the eye...or will you try to find a rock to crawl under, to hide.

It has been said that in the last days the spirits of the ancestors will be born again into new bodies, that the "old ones" will return as babes. I believe this to be true.

So once again I am saddened to see that there has been a war declared that could keep these babes from getting the proper knowledge of the traditional ways. We are all born without knowledge... this is something we get through living and learning, but if the doors to the school are locked and the knowledge is sealed away then how will we ( the babes) learn what we need to know?

I am a Lakota-Narragansett-Russian hodgepodge of bloodlines, but my spirit is of the Red Road. I make no appologies for an accident of birth. I am who I have become, and I will continue to grow in this Wakan manner. This has been shown to me by the spirits. These I honor in my heart and in my prayers to the Creator.

I am saddened that there is so much ignorance in the world... especially when it comes from those who hold the truth in the palms of their hands... especially when they who hold this truth would hide its light from those who would seek it just because their bloodlines aren't as pure as theirs'. Remember this...a truth that is not shared withers away and is forgotten...but one that is shared becomes a beacon in the night. The people of today need this beacon to light their way to remembering what they already know. The babes need these teachings of the "old ways" because the ways of greed and hatred and ignorance are soon to end, and all the people will need leaders who know the way and the truth. I say that we should be those beacons by living the truth, not by selling it, or hoarding it. Live it, and let it shine forth from your spirit. In this way you will be able to look the Creator in the eye, and when He asks you;" Who are you?" you will be able to answer Him;" Father,I am your child."

Pilamaya my bothers and sisters.

I am Whitebear, I have spoken.

From: amy a. kahila KAHILA@webtv.net
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 1999

Your have my permission to post the above-referenced letter for purposes of discussion.

I found your statement most helpful and interesting in defining 'exploitation' from a Native point of view.

How does one who is naive and gullible recognize and deal with early on those sham teachers of Native American spirituality?

I wised up after 7 years and many $$. So I walked away broke, and am mending my life as best I can. The one I walked away from is continuing to exploit Lakota spirituality by receiving monies, materials, expenses, etc. for workshops, etc..

If anyone would correspond with me on this, I would be most grateful.

Mitakuye Oyasin

kahila@webtv.net

From: Linkinsama@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 1999

you have my permission to post it.

In response to the declaration. My must start by saying that I am a 23 year- old white male. I recently read "Black Elk Speaks" and 3 or 4 books by Ed McGaa. I think, feel, and believe that your Nation has the right to declare war on those who display a lack of respect for your traditional ways. There is something special about the descriptions of ceremonies in books I have read. It is rare for a person/people on this earth to have the types of experiences that is often described to me in books. I see millions of people following the masses of Christianity and very rarely has a Christian ever described a religious ceremony they were in as being as powerful or moving as your ceremonies. Everyday I struggle to find spirituality. What your Nation has is something very special and it should be defended at all costs. Best of luck in your campaigns!

Yours Truly,
Link

From: Bearboy bearboy@uniserve.com
Sent: Friday, January 29, 1999

I responded once before in the beginning of this. I have read all the responses. It is sadly apparent that the overwhelming majority of responses are based on guilty, knee jerk reactions from the people that are participating and abetting the process that the "Declaration" seeks to expose. I have no hope that the few who keep the old ways will be able to combat this inexorable tide.

I am done. You may post this and make available my email address. I stand by my words.

Mitakuye Oyasin, Mato Hoksila miyelo.

Thomas Burns tburns@66k.com
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 1999

You have my permission to post this letter.

To: Wilmer Stampede Mesteth; Darrell Standing Elk; Phyllis Swift Hawk; Tiospaye Wounspe Waokiye;

The signers of the "Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality"

I feel your outrage due to the exploitation, profiteering, dilution and misrepresentation of traditional Lakota spiritual ways - and respect your point of view, but It was with a heavy heart that I read your declaration of war tonight. My point of view follows:

Your statement reads not so much as outraged, but just plain mean spirited. I am not sure, but I get the impression you are talking about ANYONE who wants to learn or has participated in any ritual you believe is ONLY for your people. I say -- If you wish to declare war, then declare your war on ignorance and foolishness, and work to teach wider respect for what you hold sacred.

I have participated in Sweat Lodges and other ceremonies over the last 5 years -- I went with an open mind and heart and came away changed forever. I am not foolish enough to believe what I experienced was "traditional", but I was opened up. I am not a "Wannabe Indian". I am a descendant of proud Celtic people. What I have learned from my reading, prayer, meditation and participation in the Sweat Lodge has lead me into a sacred search and greater understanding of my place in this world, and the teachings of my own ancestors.

People want to learn, and be closer to Great Mystery, God, Higher Power, what ever we choose to call the Creator. I doubt seriously you can persuade "whites" to stop practicing your rituals. All "Whites" are descendant of tribal peoples, just as you. Most European Americans have forgotten that. Perhaps it is this buried knowing that draws these seekers to your spiritual teachings. I say, teach respect and Live and Let live.

Respectfully yours,
Thomas

From: rhounsel@jeffnet.org
Sent: Monday, January 25, 1999
Cc: somlahoaka@excite.com

yes you may submit.

i,m heinz 57 with some indian on the side.

i've learnt how to hear from a tree, my helpers to feeling has been insects, the rock show me how to see.

my intend! has come through my learning other ways.

my heart will always belong to the native way
for you see the native way...
is the only way
that allows the mother
live!!!

MY PRAYER--- is HEALING....OF THE PLANET.....

my intend--- is know what is in my heart--- to ask creator to guide my path... to experience the love and beauty of creators world...

my friends emotions wear on the face,is your of joy or hurt. t

he dream world--- is full of information that guide one on this path. maybe someone should answer why my guide are indians or the animals speak with me.

i'm sorry you hurt, i'm sorry thing are not better my heart too, cry for the sorrow that just keep happens when does pray become enough...

somlahoaka@excite.com

From: knack@maui.net
Sent: Monday, January 25, 1999

You have my permission to post.

Let's all pretend that genocide against the Native Americans never happened. Let's all just sweep 500 years of karma under the rug. That seems to be the attitude. You say you want to learn about Native spiritual ways? We each are already involved with Native spirituality up to our necks. How? We as a country signed the numerous treaties with these Nations. Each was sealed with a sacred ceremony, whether it be a pipe ceremony or exchange of wampum belts, or whatever. As a nation, the citizens of the U.S. have made a sacred covenant with these indigenous people before God or Great Mystery through these ceremonies. How many of these sacred trusts have been broken by the U.S. side? How many sacred ceremonies and committments have we violated by now? And we demand that they give us more? No! Not until we honor those ceremonies that we've already participated in. Either honor the spirit of the treaties, now, or start building fortresses against Mother Nature. The Spirits aren't happy. You may not realize it, but the lives of your children depend on it. So stop attacking the traditional elders with your twisted racist logic and give it up! Support them, don't attack them.

From: Wakin`yan Ho Was`te` at " dfeghali@bellatlantic.net "
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 1999

Lakota Spirituality -

Kola's, "Let the exploiters do as they wish"... for, we the Lakota-Dakota-Nakota & the Red Nations know what the truth really is and who it belongs to. (like Russell said "We Know the Universe"). Our spirituality & culture was given to us just as this land was, by the Creator (Wakan-Tanka) who is forever, so you know what that means, (if you don't, ask grampa… wonkaya). For many many moons (eons) this land has had our blood in it, this land has our culture and spirituality in it, and when our land & water was pure, so was the food our mothers ate in order for us to be here. We were born from Her, (for without woman-there is no man) with pure hearts, pure minds, and pure connections with the Creator (sort of like the hands & feet are to the brain), designated to be born here on turtle island with specific rites to follow the Creators suggestions to live a good life, in the image of our Creator and mother earth (a spirit with a body temporarily on loan). So we continue to care for these rites… quiet and humble as we are and always should be, just as the Creator advised. The Creator gave all four directions the rites to protect those of us who have been recognized, as the keepers... So regardless of intrusion, we will survive through it all.

So, my brothers and sisters, with humility, I ask, please be patient, and "let the exploiters do as they wish" for what they are doing, is not under the advice of the Creator…. and just as all the religions that have sold themselves out by mis-representation, for money, and for materialistic values, so too will the "exploiters". Sadly, their downfall will be very dramatic; loss of spiritual counseling from the Creator, life threatening bolts of lighting and thunder, tornado's & hurricanes, terrible snow & ice storms, extreme heat & depletion of the ozone, loss of life from mother earth's' trembling rebuttal , & disease. This my friend, will be passed on to their next s-e-v-e-n generations, and as their devious claims to our land & our spirituality crumble, everyone will see & know the truth as to who really does have a good pipe, and a genuine connection to the Creator, to the sun, to the four directions, to the earth and to ourselves, (and vise-versa).

Maybe you will doubt me… mind you the white buffalo has been born… so they all laughed w/$ signs in their eyes!

Okay then, if it must be this way, so be it, the new & young vulnerable nation without roots to the land will simply have to learn the hard way, because my friend, "Life is in Circles"….

Aho, Waki`nyan Ho Wa`st`e meyelo

From: Liz Tomboline Liz@netcomuk.co.uk
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 1999

Sorry, yes, of course you can post this!, sorry, I forgot to make that clear!

Hi

My spiritual heritage was also wiped out and our people were persecuted raped and pillaged by invaders too. Being female has carried with it a sense of being almost unspeakably evil (certainly by early Christians as Eve caused the downfall of mankind by tempting Adam into original sin) and having any form of earth based spirituality and healing gifts were dangerous as it faced almost certain interrogation, torture and death. We are only just beginning to recover: it has taken nearly 2,000 years to turn again to the earth and our place in her, as part of her rather than having dominion over her.

I am a white woman who practices shamanism, I work with individuals and I also teach. "The term shaman derived from the Vedic sram, meaning to heat oneself or practice austerities" indicates influences by Paleo-Oriental civilisations. But the complex of shamanism is more archaic, being part of the prehistoric cultures of Siberian hunters and occuring among protohistorical peoples in other areas of the world.Although shamans are mainly associated with the geographies of northern and central Asia, they can be found in Africa, Oceana, Australia, the Americas, and northern and eastern Europe..." Shamanic Voices Joan Halifax.

How, then am I stealing from the Lakota when I do not profess any tribal connection or knowledge? I studied some elements of general Native American spirituality and it helped me to connect to my own sprirtuality, to my own roots and to my own ancestors, so thank you all for that, it was truly a great gift. However, I do resent your constant referral to "whites", "plastic shamans", and "wannabes" as interchangeable terms that seem to describe any one who is not a registered Lakota practicing some form of earth centered spirituality. We have birds, feathers, fur, beads, leather etc here too you know!(G) We also have hoop drums (bodrhans..spelling?!), and our ancestors wore deer skins etc.

It seems that this along with recent tribal council legislation making it illegal for a non Lakota to have in their posession anything that is used in ceremony is taking things to a rediculous extreme.

I do accept that there are people out there who do copy, exploit and generally pretend to be Indian, but if you look at it from a developmental point of view, many of us "whites" are in the infancy of rediscovering our spiritual heritage, and kids learn how to be an adult by copying the grown ups and trying to emulate them and even pretend they are them. But the parents don't start yelling at them to get their own identity, they teach by example why you can't superimpose yourself onto another. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so thery say. Is there any way that is more loving and positive that these people can be shown? And what of "true" Native Spiritual people who share the teachings and think a certain person is worthy of such. Is it for him/her to assess the colour of a persons heart, or the colour of their skin?

I suppose that in reading the declaration, I have had a tiny insight into what it must feel like to be belittled, persecuted and racially attacked,by another group, and it is not a pleasant feeling. I am lucky in that I have virtually never experienced racial hatred or intimidation nor have I ever been racially hateful and I am always saddened and speak out when I hear of it. Would it not be more constructive and helpful to tell "whites" et al what would help you as a People and enable us to change things rather than belittle us to vent your anger? I feel impotent in this debate: I want to contribute positively, but am afraid to in case I get it thrown back in my face.

From: Mary June Bryant mjbryant@i1.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 2:36 AM

I do hereby give you full permission to post this for all to read. I wish there were some kind of jewerly or bracelet of some kind for the non-white who are with the American Nation as a whole could wear to show our hearts are with you.

I remember seeing the movie,' A man called Horse" and the ritual he went through to become one with the American Indian, I always wished their was some way I could show my alliance and don't know if such a way even exists.

At least I was able to voice my opinion. Thanks ever so much! mjbryant@i1.net

I was looking up sites of the American Indian and found this article. I have a friend who is a Sioux Indian from fhe Lakota tribe. I have had a great interest in the American Indian since I have read the book on Crazy Horse.

I guess I am naive here, but why do people want to mess with other peoples beliefs and cultures? She has taken time to explain the ways and customs of her people and I can't wait to be able to go to a pow-wow with her so that I can learn and experience first hand about the American Indian. It would be a real pow-wow and be authentic, not the stuff that is in the declaration.

The last thing I would ever dream of doing is exploiting others. I personally feel that all Native American Indians of all nations can teach us a lot. Indians from what I understand never took anything in nature where they didn't use all of the animal they had to kill for food. It's wasn't for sport. They respected the earth and respected their elders. They were organized, and here the "white man" comes and messes everything up.

I was so moved by the last few pages of "Crazy Horse" that I can't ever read it without crying. I am non-indian but I truly do feel bad for all the hardships they have endured. No one should ever have to be subjject to that..

I do not blame the declaration of war, it's a sin that the "white man" does so much damage.

I am learning to use my E-mail, I pray this gets to you. I am of the "white race" and find it an outrage that my race can be so mean to others. No wonder the "whiteman" is so despised.

If you wish to write me, please do. My E-mail is : mjbryant@i1.net

From: Kwanloong@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 1999

You may post this and also show my email address.

I am Scottish/Irish, Italian, and Choctaw. Now that must have been some party. I have a role number and haven't used it, but will be using it certain educational purposes. I like Italian sausage, I can't play the bag pipes but I love the music, and I go to sweat lodges and Pow Wows.

So who do I belong to and what should I do? I did two tours in Viet Nam so I have my own understanding of war. I personally know two Lakota who were at Wounded Knee and many of those who were there disagree about who should or should not do ceremony. And, sometimes I think the whole country thinks Lakota were the only Indian, now that the Hopi have stopped publishing their views.

But I would offer a bit of advise for those of you who would "Declare War." You did that once and look what happened to your people. You are no more prepared now than you were then. It's not a good plan.

War has never solved anything "Spiritually." Your letter sounds like the Christians. Any religion who proclaims to be the "only way" has a problem. It's call self esteem. Religion is a personal thing. How you live your life speaks for itself.

I have been to South Dakota many times. I have been to many ceremonies on the rez and off the rez. I don't have a sweat lodge and don't plan on it. I am not a "dancer" nor will I ever be. However, the main reason I go is to support those, both Lakota and white, who have felt the call to do these ceremonies together. If a Lakota called me and ask me to help them do their ceremony I would go just as quick. I believe everyone has the right to do whatever ceremony they chose, as long as no one gets hurt and no one is abused.

The one thing that I see that runs common in Lakota traditional attitude is the competition amongst your own people. If whites left you totally alone you would still be arguing with each other about your own "spiritual supremacy" in ceremony.

I really support you in rethinking this "war" thing. It didn't work the first time and it won't work this time. However, if you would unclench your fist long enough you would find there are many people out here, native, mixed breed, and white who are looking to support and become a part of anything that is about healing and not about destruction. You could easily be the next millennia teachers to bring more spirituality to this part of the country.

But, if you really believe that you and your ways are the only one then you are truly a lonely people and I pray that you find some kind of peace of mind before you destroy yourselves, or invite others to do it for you. Mieosa..........Michael Walker

From: Bristol Clarkson bristol@cnw.com Sent: Thursday, January 21, 1999

Much permission given to post on the internet.

I agree with the dissatisfaction on those non-Indians who beleive they have the right to commit genocide against a people by adopting a religion that is not theirs after centuries of attack. However, I can see great irony in during the European emigration to North America, Christianity was forced to every "heathen" and "savage" Native they encountered. The Europeans stole Native children and forced them to assimilate. Now there is great indignation with the Europeans attempting to adopt Native spirituality. There is wrongness in this as there was with missionaries forcing Christianity, but can it not be seen as a reversal of circumstance? It is perhaps a good thing...that Natives may be able to convert all whites they see, all the savage Christians, Jews, etc. that brought so much suffering to all Natives in the Americas into the religion that these emigrants had so desperately tried to remove. Perhaps Natives should make a concerted effort to convert all white Christians.

I was raised in a bush town in Alaska, in an Aleut family. Our religion was Christian, due to the Russian missionaries that forced my ancestors to practice Russian Orthodoxy. The religion the Aleut's practiced before the encounter has disappeared. You Lakota should not be so infuriated that your religion is still in use...by whites, Natives, or anyone. If Aleut spirituality was still in exsitence, I would be more concerned with how thankful I was that I could practice it than with who was practicing it as well.

Thanks,
Bristol

From: Paul Sonnier iirick@cp-tel.net
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 1999 12:13 PM

I am 1/4 Cherokee, and I can sympathize with wanting to keep what is "sacred" sacred.

The problem facing our communities now is that we are no longer isolated from the rest of society. What I have learned, is that if one wishes to change attitudes and beliefs about something, one must educate. Therefore, I feel that an educational program should be set up to bring those who misuse and mistreat the ceremony to an understanding of what the ceremony means to us, it's history, and other necessary information. I believe that we should not exclude sincere seekers for religious knowledge, but should guide them.

Persons that desecrate however, should not be tolerated. Education works..just look at the decline of AIDs since the educational campaign was launched by the federal government. A side benefit of this program would be able to separate sincere seekers from everyone else. I personally have suffered from a lack of knowledge of my heritage, and don't believe I will feel "whole" until I rediscover my roots and culture. One cannot teach respect, but one can model it.

The question that I have is:

How would these concerns that I have just voiced be handled in the statement?

Permisson to post this is granted. iirick@hotmail.com

From: Cherie Hiatt nightbird48@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999 12:27 AM
Subject: Spirits in the Mountains

You have my permission to publish this:

Let me start by saying that I am a 44 year old white woman. I had no formal religious training when I was growing up except for some Metaphysical beliefs my mother had. Twenty three years ago, I became a Christian and for two years I followed Christianity faithfully. It was during that time, I moved from the city to a rural part of the state. Something started happening to me. The hills, mountains, trees, rocks and everything of the earth mother around me started giving me messages. The land spoke of things that happened to the Native Americans in the past and the mountains compelled me to "come up here and find something." It felt as though there was another part of me that was trying to connect with something. I had no previous exposure to Native American culture or religion. Yet many of my views on society since the age of 5 were totally different from the mainstream society. For instance, I have always felt that man does not have the right to own property or to put up fences, as the land belongs to god and we are the caretakers of the earth.

The things I sensed from the land got so strong, that I had to research the history of the geographical location. What I found out was that fifty miles from where I lived and fifty miles through a national wilderness area, was a valley that still belongs to the spirits of the ancestors whose bones are buried there. But the white man came and wanted the land and with the help of the United States Government, forced the Native Americans off their land. For the next three months history was made as this tribe fled for Canada and the freedom they would find there. But the soldiers went after them and many battles followed. Many women and children were killed by the soldiers! I can feel their pain and sorrow in such a way that I cannot even describe, as though I had been there among them.

When I found the history, I contacted the tribal leader of the descendants of that band and offered my help and support in protecting Native American treaty rights. He invited me to a Pow Wow and then a memorial service in their traditional Native American church. We were friends for many years after that. I became an activist for treaty rights and wrote many letters to politicians. But he never spoke much about religion. He kept all that to himself.

I lived on the slopes of those mountains for one year and always felt I had a calling to do something there. I returned to the city to go to nursing school and hoped to return there someday. But circumstances kept me in the city. I pursued Native American religion.

Twelve years went by and I met a full blood Oglala Sioux woman at work. I told her my story and she became my best friend. She lived with me for about a year. Although she tried to satisfy my hunger for knowledge, the real truths I sought after were off limits to me because I am white. I never had the opportunity to go through a sweat lodge ceremony or to seek the medicine man. I have lost contact with my friend and have not heard from her in four years. The last time I talked to her, she was working on supporting and promoting this WAR AGAINST EXPLOITERS OF LAKOTA SPIRITUALITY. I tried not to take it too personally.

What I do understand and have to respect is that native American religion has been so threatened by the white society, that the natives have had to keep it secret in order to keep it alive and sacred. I did not seek to be a "wannabe." Something sought me and I will never know what it is.

But I humbled myself and came to this conclusion. We are all children of the same creator-god and the same mother earth. But our capabilities of spiritual understanding are in infancy. Even the bible says there are things in the universe that god chooses not to to let us know about. So the bible was written in such a way that we could understand the basics of how we are suppose to live. It is kind of a kindergarten level of spiritually. And god sent Jesus so that we can follow him to the spirit world the white man calls heaven. That way we don't have to try and figure it all out. All we have to do is follow Jesus and all these other questions will be answered once we get to heaven. Once I get to heaven maybe then I will know the answers to why the spirits in the mountains were calling me in 1978.

My brothers and sisters, think of this. In a world where so much importance is put on the president's sex life and people have nothing better to do than to listen to that. Can you imagine what would happen if the Native Americans went public with their religion? Our world is not ready for it and therefore it must be protected. But protect it with love for all mankind not hate. For hatred can poison your soul.

I welcome your correspondence. Walk in balance

Cherie Hiatt (Nightbird)
nightbird48@hotmail.com

From: DWilli4371@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 1999

Yes, you have permission to post my message. Thank You.

I agree with the declaration. I am a person of mexican, native american and white ancestry. It is my belief that when someone is native, they have experiences and feelings that are not completely accessible or understandable to those who are non-native. Of course, on a human level, non-natives can support the sovereignty of their native brothers, befriend them and even worship with them (only if permission and trust have been established). But charlatans help to ruin the chances for any true understanding. What they are doing is an insult to Indian people and a serious spiritual crime. One cannot buy spirit, or go through paid training with plastic "medicine" people to become an "Indian." White folks need to disover their own traditions (Celtic, for example). I believe that they would find a more valid and familiar place in those traditions, as they are their very own -- just as we native people each have our own from tribe to tribe.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak my mind.

Sincerely,
A Friend in California

From: dfeghali@bellatlantic.net
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 1999

Hau Kola's:

Wakin`yan Ho Was`te` meyelo, Lakota Oyate - Rosebud, SD; "Hello my friends, I am Thunder Good Voice, from the Rosebud Lakota Nation"

Life is in Circles -

Brought up with a respectful understanding of our environment, Lakota children are shown through example how to understand that in our "Circle of Life" there is not a beginning or an ending, freeing a child to see and understand who and what they really are, feelings of happiness, eager to assume and fulfill their responsibility in our circle of life, therefore, residing with certainty & eternal awareness that our lives are in the image of our mother-earth, in a circle, she is in the image of her creator, it is not a mere coincidence that a circle has not a beginning or an end, continuing on and on, unless the circle - the connection to self understanding - is broken.... causing moral disorder within the hearts of mankind, broadcasting an electrical surge of dysfunctional, vague inside-out, short lived messages with very little or no insight of how to live in accordance with the universal laws of the circle, the sun, the moon, motherearth and all her forms of life, even ourselves... look inside and see how circular we are, look, there in your very own eyes, you'll see the truth, take a look, there is life in those circles you see, even in all of our very own circular blood cells, can you see, Life is in Circles....

a misinformed society that chooses to live in false pretense, excusing themselves from their commitment to the "circle of life" firmly holding on to the belief that our prime existence is to live & die for personal gain & materialistic wealth, accepting and living with the solemn understanding that their own life & death is the irrelevant destiny of their own reality, misinformed of their true existence, an entire generation detached without realization, living in terror of losing possession, boldly but blindly leading the blind, can & will destroy us all... unless, perhaps before it's too late, if we can, maybe we should dare to take a look past our own presence & let go of this unrealistic existence and return to a realistic approach to our circle of life.

Should humanity (a major component of the circle) realize their global path in our circle of life, reality will uproot illusion, self-awareness will evolve creating self-respect, their true identity erupts from the inside-out -the two sides of a circle- turning into who they really are, turning into the self, invoking a long overdue heart felt conversation with their very own spirit who was there inside beating the drum of life for the hearts of mankind- now aware, both sides relating a lifetime of events, crying a river of healing tears from the realization of how each circle of events in their circle of life was supposed to be connected to the other- tears flooding into a cleansing river of joy & pain leading them to find this wonderful long lost friend "reality" - once again having found love in one another, and vowing to respect & honor & never forget their vital connection to each other ever again... can you feel it, Life is in Circles -

Wakin`yan Ho Was`te`- Lakota Nation

From: Les Voorhis les.voorhis@gte.net
Sent: Sunday, January 03, 1999

Permission to publish granted.

I have read your declaration. I was disturbed to find it full of such anger. While I agree that no people should have their beliefs desecrated, I have to question your fears. I, as a white woman, have long been fascinated native cultures-especially the beauty and lore I have experienced with the Lakota peoples. I live in the Denver area and sadly most of the native experiences that are available to me are of the "new age" variety. I would dearly love to become a part of a Lakota community, to learn your ways, the beautiful language and to connect with Mother Earth as only native cultures can. However, that is impossible at this time and in this place. I wonder if it is at all possible that some of those that seemingly exploit your beliefs are not the only "teachers" the information seekers in most areas have. I personally despise zoos - but are they not the only way that an inner city child may be able to see a real tiger?

It is my sincere hope that the targets of your declaration take it to heart if they are truly exploiting the Lakota people in this way and to cease thier actions. For the others, I hope that you will take pride in the fact that they may honestly be out to educate not destroy. I honor your dedication to your culture and offer my support for your cause.

Jaycee

From: Karen Phillips knp@alaska.net Sent: Sunday, January 03, 1999

Please publish my response to: Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality at http://puffin.creighton.edu/lakota/war.html and anyone can e-mail me at knp@alaska.net

If you are angry that your ways are misrepresented then it is more beneficial to explain what is wrong.

Have your children ever been disrespectful to tradition?

Do they learn respect from anger or do they learn to hide their feelings instead?

Teach others patiently with mutual respect and they will listen with an open heart.

Be the example of the ways you wish to preserve.

With Love,
Karen Phillips

From: knack@maui.net Sent: Friday, January 01, 1999

You have my specific permission to post this if you think it will contribute something valuable to the discussion. I've made a few changes to it, so please post the following version. Mahalo.

Concerning desecration of Native Ceremonial Ways:

Have read many well-intentioned but often naive comments on this issue. Few seem to grasp the continual genocidal consequences of these desecrating actions. Iv'e watched for 20 years as the elders share their wisdom and end up dying of heartbreak and betrayal. Betrayed by nearly everyone, including their own families. Most of the warriors talk a good game but usually seem to focus in on their favorite target audience--white women with big breasts and bank accounts. They seem to forget their own Pipe story of how the lustful warrior turned to dust while gazing upon the The WBuffalo Calf Woman.

For non-Indians to question Native spiritual self defense measures is like the Nazis wondering why the Jews don't love and appreciate all they've done for them. One has to question one's sincerity. If non-Indians want to show respect and honor to Native ways, the first and best way to do that is to push unceasingly for our government to honor our treaties and the spiritual and cultural sanctity of these Nations. Then we may have the right to collectively speak of mutual spirituality. Until then, we are just another bunch of cutthroat savages, who lie, steal, rape and murder to get what we want, and we desecrate not only Native Ceremonial ways but God's Creation Itself by doing so.

Date: Tue, 08 Dec 1998 00:49
From: bill zimmerlin billyz@netscape.net

You have my permission to post this response

i want to voice my support for the declaration of war against the theft and degradation of the Lakota sacred tradition.

my heritage is German/Swiss/French. Read this as Celtic - not Anglo, not Saxon- Celtic. my people also lived in harmony with nature, in villages, with tribal wars and tribal cooperation. Although European, my people were slaughtered by the Romans, the Saxons, the Angles, the Huns - perhaps even the Tartars and the Cossacks. My Celtic brothers are today enslaved in Northern Ireland - on their own "reservation" established so respectfully and lovingly by the English, who have spent most of their history as a nation trying to enslave one indigenous people after another. my primordial kith and kin died in their villages in massacres, just like Wounded Knee - where armies of imperialism and dominion deprived native people of their inherent right to live and prosper in their own ways. The blood of my ancestors lies deep in the soil of the Rhine valley and the Black Forest.

Through all of this, my people lost their native tongue, their native beliefs and the native virtue that held them together as a clan. The land they lived on became the property of one king or warlord after another until they were homogenized ( ground-up?) into whatever society happened to be the fashion of the outlanders. There remains no Celtic culture in my ancestral homeland: no place for my children to visit and know what their grandfathers in distant time lived for or stood for. To watch this happen to another native people is more than i care to witness - especially for the price of thirty pieces of silver, the traditional Eurocentric sum of betrayal.

To share your ancestral heritage is the highest respect one can offer to another. To package and market it is the lowest form of prostitution - selling not just oneself, but also one's ancestors. How desperate must a person be or perhaps, how little must a person care for their ancestry to resort to this? i guess that a promise of instant spirituality is enough to bring in the bucks from displaced euro-peoples whose native culture has long been lost, and there are enough charlatans in every path to capitalize on the weaknesses of lost souls. This still does not excuse the callous disregard for the sanctity of a Way of Living.

i have no standing as a Lakota/Dakota/Nakota person, nor even as a native of this land. my recent ancestors left Germany in 1844 to settle in Ohio - to avoid forced conscription into the army of a king who sought not to defend his country, but to gain dominion over others. my people were people of peace and that singular act of conscience has granted spiritual benefits across seven generations - but my children still have no true ancestral homeland nor any ancestral culture. All wiped away...

It is not that i grieve for myself, but for the blood of my ancestors, as i grieve for the blood of Lakota/Dakota/Nakota ancestors - for all the good and gentle people who died in the vanity of captains and kings. Do what you must to stop the wholesale plunder of your culture! I'm weary of seeing dreamcatchers hanging from the rear-view mirrors of the automobiles of people who've never heard the cry of a hawk, never found the gift of a crow feather, never had the secrets whispered to them by the trees and have no more attachment to Earth than the sidewalks they hurry down. I'm sick at heart seeing fetishes dangle from the necks of people whose only understanding of a fox is through the explanation they got at a four-hour seminar and not from experiencing a fox hunting, or playing with it's pups; people who think of an otter as a symbol of gentle playfulness, but have never seen otters sliding into a river to understand why this is so, never understanding what makes the jasper their fetish is cut from important or why pipestone is sacred. The acceptance of symbolism without experience, the surface without the depths, diminishes the value (energy?) of these medicines not only for the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota people, but for each of us.

In this land, some things are different. The creature brothers and sisters, each with their own natural virtue, must be respected for both what they are and their traditional role in the life of the people. In China and Tibet, the tiger replaces the panther, the dragon replaces the thunderbird, but an eagle is still an eagle. Some things do not change!

While i honor your traditions, i would not dare to dream of dancing the Sun Dance - i haven't earned the right. my ancestors did not die defending this ground, nor did they teach their children the sacred places on it. And I'm not a wannabe - i know my roots and am proud of them, but i have learned much from Lakota/Dakota/Nakota teachings about the path within myself. i have entered the Sacred Circle and asked, in a sacred way, for the help and insight of my brothers and sisters, the four-leggeds and the wings and i have spoken my words to Wakan Tanka, from my heart. (Great Mystery is also known Great Mystery in China and Tibet!) I have learned to open my heart to the voices of my ancestors in the Great Star Nation - not through some weekend retreat where i paid $300.00 for a "shaman" to disclose the secrets of the Dreamtime, but by listening to the wind whisper to the cedars, and lying on this Earth and feeling her force, seeing the Thunder Beings blow another storm across the sky and spending untold hours watching the Great Dipper and the Pole Star tell their tales. Your tradition has become a part of mine, and i am teaching my children to respect the place and people they live with, and to honor the people who lived here long before them. All that being said, i support you in your battle to stop another generation of self-serving profiteers profane the Sacred Ways for the price of their soul. I will fight alongside you to protect this as it were my own. In my lineage of peaceful people there flows the warrior spirit and tradition. Sometimes, there is a peace that is only to be found on the other side of war.

Feel free to contact me, if you wish. Agree or disagree. Hate or love. I've staked my position here, and apologize to no one, but will listen as a friend to all who have words to say. i walk my talk - it's the only way i know how to respect those who have gone before and given me the gifts of their experiences and lives.

Bill Zimmerlin
Elmira NY 14905
billyz@netscape.net

Date: Monday, December 07, 1998
From: Parkrose@webtv.net (Carin Rose)
Subject: i give perission

You want my opinion, so here it is. It sounds as though you are pretty pissed off and really want to shake people up. Get a reaction. Here it is.

Yes, too many of us have lost the ways. We were the ones who were too weak. We let the "white man" poison our minds with alcahol and seperating us from our beliefs. That was a big mistake on our part. Before they came we were happy and free. When they came we closed our hearts from our beliefs and killed eachother by fighting for them instead of against them (not all of us, of course).

When we did this is when we became weak and sick. Our minds turned into greedy devils. All of a suddon we didn't care about each other as a whole anymore. We started watching out for number one. That is how we were murdered. Do you really think that they would have won if we banded, and kept to our beliefs??? I don't think so.

We truned our backs from all of our teachings. Who says that our ways are wrong!!!!!!!!!!! The bible has many lies in it. If these people really did the research they would find that out. God didn't write the bible. MEN DID. Think about how they treated people. How they murdered many of millions just because those people didn't believe the same way. They use fear to control people. The only true belief is what is in the heart!!!!!!

I hear you speak but I do not hear a solution. Give us a solution to this. Help those of us who truely want to learn. Help those of us who will die in spirit if we won't pass it on before we truely die out.

Smile people will think you are up to something. Hehehehehe

I do give permission to you to post this. Thanks

Carin

Date: Wed, 02 Dec 1998
From: Pelle Plutt booga@coldmail.com
Subject: Declaration of War

I give permission to post this.

I fully agree with the declaration. The Lakota/Dakota/Nakota spirituality and way of life is, as most ways of life, strongly connected to the land, the traditions and your background. We (white people) have violated people around the world long enough. The New Age movement´s theft of native american spirituality is the last step in the effort to destroy the native american peolpe.

Many "whites" who claim to follow what they call the Lakota way say that they have the right to belive what they want and that they don´t do this to tick the lakota people off quite the opposite they say they admire and respect the Lakota people.

These people don´t have the right to steal what is not theirs. The belif is not theirs, it belongs to Lakota/Dakota/Nakota people. By chosing not to listen to the voices of these people that don´t want them to take their traditions they prove to be the same kind of people that "whites" across the world always have been, respectless.

Always remember where you came from and what you represent!

/Micke Eriksson, Sweden

reply to:chaos.productions@wineasy.se

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998
From: rossi@ltc.admworld.com (Dithyrambic Longhaired Streetpoet)
Subject: DECLARATION OF WAR DISCUSSION

My permission is given to post this message.

It has certainly been a long time since this declaration was first written and posted here, and here we are, still discussing it, becoming passionate about it, turning it over and over in our minds, analizing it from a hundred, maybe even a thousand different perspectives, lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and personalities. Perhaps this in itself describes perfectly the complexity of this issue.

I think that there are a few things that must be considered when trying to form an opinion of this draft. I have read many of the posts here, and it seems that some look at this declaration as a "cleaning house", a war against those who are desacrating, selling, demeaning, and otherwise harming Lakota traditional lifeways by corrupting them, often for profit. And then I also see many who look at this declaration as a war against whites, specifically, whites who have an interest in these sacred lifeways and are currently involved in some form of learning process, whether it be a legitimate one, or a illegimate one.

In my opinion, in whatever way one percieves this issue, it must be taken into consideration that (again this is only my opinion) spirituality exists on an individual level and on a communal level. That is to say, how dreams, visions, or any communications from the Creator are interpreted is entirely individual. I think that this is always been the way in Lakota society (I must state here that I am certainly not an "expert on Lakota soceity, lifeways, or anything, I am just going on what I believe to be true. Perhaps I am entirely misinformed, if so, I apologize!). The communications that individuals had with the Creator were personal, although many shared experiences, ultimately, how that experience shaped and reshaped a person's life was unique to each person. Thus, no one could tell another how to pray, who to pray with, how to conduct ceremony, what to do. These where a direct result of the communications and experiences that an individual had with the Creator.

BUT, an individual is a product of community. And, community was, and is, EVERYTHING to the people. Community, ideally, in Lakota society, looks out for the good of each other. This does not always happen nowadays, just as I am sure it didn't always happen in the past.

One thing is for sure though, community defines a Lakota individual. I have heard it said that if someone tells you he/she is Lakota, and they cannot give you at least a dozen relative's names, they are not Lakota!! Community should definately be taken into account here. If you are involved with an individual claiming or proporting to be connected to sacred Lakota lifeways, a person who is doing sacred things, and he/she is not known or involved in some way with a legitimate Lakota community in a good way, known by Lakota people to be an honest and good person capable of helping people with ceremony, then chances are this war could be about the person you are asking and coming to for help. However, it seems many times, the Lakota people themselves are "split" over who is doing things in a good way, and who is not. Just as some people are "split" over this issue.

I have no answer for any question about whether non-Indians should be allowed to be involved in Lakota lifeways. I do know the tendency, especially in print, is to generalize. ALL non-Indians should not be allowed to participate in ceremony. Whereas, in real life, the question is entirely individual, and whether or not a non-Indian is allowed to participate in a legitimate Lakota ceremony conducted by a legitimate spiritual leader, is up to the leader. Not to me, or you, or the webmaster, or even the authors of this declaration- it is up to the leader who is asked or faced with the question or situation. I do know the obvious, ANYONE demanding knowledge, being disrespectful, perpetuating stereotypes by talking in some flowery, psuedo Indian movie language, offering descriptions of individual spiritual experiences in public among strangers, or otherwise NOT BEING HUMBLE and understanding the signifigance of sacred ways in ANY culture or situation will be looked upon with distaste, disrespect, dishonor, and exclusion.

I have no answers. But I welcome any honest respectful discussion.

M. Rossi

Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998
From: Kenny Honomichl khonomic@wagner.aberdeen.ihs.gov
Subject: RELIGIOUS EXPLIOTATION

I wish to convey a thought or two about the on-going controversy surrounding the expoitation of Native American religions.

First I must emphasize that all the races of man are human and are brothers. The races of man are represented in our relegion-maybe this is true only of Lakota. They are represented through the four colors(black,red white and yellow).

We, Lakota understand this. At the same time we must keep what is sacred and central to us protected sanctified. Just like the Vatican has many rituals and customs that are closed to the public, for example the choosing of the new pope, there are rituals and traditions that only dedicated and devote Lakota religous leader need be involved in. The sundance is a core beleif of the Lakota that needs protection.

If the non-Indian wishes to participate in "some" of the Lakota religious tradition, then he should start by hulling rocks and water for a very long time.

In summation I believe there are some facets of the Lakota religious belief system that can be shared and there are core ritual and tradition that should not be.

Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1998
From: Karen kwinkle@prodigy.net
Subject: Please print this response.

Hmmm......I have to agree with those that say that a message of any spirit can not belong to any one people or group - for me it is as simple as that. If we look at any religion today there is enough appropriation of traditions by others that war could be declared. Perhaps the Catholics should declare war on the whole of Christendom (including Native American Christians) since the Catholic church is the first tradition of Christianity and therefore when Martin Luther started his Christian church (and all those that came after) it was appropriation of the Catholic church. They kept the practices and rituals that they wanted and discarded the rest. The ritual of Catholic Communion has been altered and changed according to each churches preference.

Another example is the celebration of Christmas. Christmas is a Christian religious celebration. It is not a commercial event although it has been exploited and altered to each peoples of the worlds beliefs (whether Christian or not). How many Lakota celebrate Christmas? I would venture to guess that the majority of them do. What appropriation!!?

My point is that this Declaration of War is sparked by old bigotry and hatred. It is an attempt by a traditionally oppressed people to gain power (by power I am speaking in a political sense). However, to really gain power you have to use wisdom along with it. By declaring war because of the misuse of Lakota religious practices, the Nation has only unintentionally grouped themselves with other religions (as I pointed out above) instead of accomplishing the exclusiveness that they sought to obtain).

Last I would like to comment on the words of ERIKS HUMEYUMPTEWA - which I reproduce here although not in its entirety: Another thing to consider is that like most things with native peoples, it has been appropriated by the anglo world. Not only do people of the east come and steal our land from under us, they also can't keep their hands to their own religions. They corrupt the world and then try to escape on somebody else's wings. They seek to take something they couldn't comprehend. I see people that that say they are living the "hopi way". Yet they fail to comprehend the most basic things about us and even follow the most basic tenets of our ways. They misuse everything and make it bad: kachinas, songs, religious icons, you name it. How many people really know what Kokopelli stands for? Sure as shooting not just the flute and fertility figure as anglo america sees. Some things can only be understood and learned from the inside. But the truth is that the picture is blurry, and more harm than good happens. Stick to your own ways, and be content with you and your ways. Don't be the one holding that "smoking gun" when it goes off by mistake. Just because you didn't know how to use it right.

ERIKS HUMEYUMPTEWA

My comments on these statements is that I take umbrage to the opening statements which including such generalizations as "the white man corrupted the earth" and "stole our lands from under us" Yes these things happened and I would be the first one to agree that it was a catastrophic and horrible thing that was done. However, there is new evidence that the white man also walked these lands so long ago (see The Kennewick Man). Also, no offense intended, but Kokopelli is a God of the "Ancient Enemies", The Anasazi. I know the Hopi Nation accepts that they are the descendants of the Anasazi, scientific evidence does not support this claim. Maybe scientific evidence holds no water for you and your people (which is ok) but if the Hopi are not descendants of the Anasazi wouldn't the religious use of Kokopelli be appropriation?

In summation, the Declaration of War is a waste of energy and time. The more the Lakota or any other Native American Nation try to eradicate this "New Age" movement with anger and bitterness it will not work. The anger manifests itself as bigotry and will only make those that practice it more steadfast in their practices. I welcome comments. Thank you Karen Winkle kwinkle@prodigy.net

Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998
From: "D. Joseph Sweet" sweet@voicenet.com
Subject: "Declaration of War" Response

You have my express permission to post this.

In order to fully understand my response to this "Declaration" ... which is limited by space and time ... and an ocean of other opinions ... you must understand two fundamental things ... then follow a short, simple exercise in thinking ... not reacting ... and not emotionalizing.

The initial element for you to understand is that of "nomenclature". Proper communication of thoughts and feelings is critical in a situation such as this ... as was taught by Elders in the Oral Traditions of many cultures for many generations. In that light, I will not use the term "Native American" as I consider "indigenous" peoples of this place, rather, our "First Americans" ... primarily supported by the fact that Constitution of the United States of America was formulated to a great extent from the philosophies of the Six Tribes of the Iroquois Nation through Benjamin Franklin.

The second element is that our First American's outrage over their past and present treatment is, by any decent person's perspective, ENTIRELY justified. It is, however, right and just that they channel that anger, pain and outrage to a place of Healing, rather than one of hostility. Although this high emotional state is completely acceptable, one should put their plight along side those of all other Ethnic Groups that have suffered throughout the course of sacred human history (not excluding those such as the Serfs of Europe) ... and work to heal in the light and context of Today's World. Those that would focus solely on our First American's circumstance fail to acknowledge one of their own Sacred Principles ... that of One Creation ... meaning that we all, regardless of heritage, are all children of the Creator and all participate equally in the Sacred Cycle of Life.

The Exercise I ask of you is a simple one ... and it is required to understand my simple, humble statement ... should you not care to take the time to participate ... please refrain from analysis or "judgement" of my point. The Exercise is ...

You must be calm ... you must shed any connection to your prejudices or culturally endowed bigotry ... you will need to lay aside "single issue" emotional states such as guilt or rage over injustice ... and you need to recognize every person, even if just for this brief moment, as an complete individual, detached from any social, religious or political group and see every person as following an individual, self-defining destiny.

My statement is ...

I am a Native American.

I was born in this Place ... it nurtures me and gives me Sacred Life ... and like all other Places in Creation it has a Sacred Language ... regardless of my parentage and ancestry, as a Child of this Land I am obliged to learn this Sacred Language ... as a two-legged animal, with the Sacred Free Will to choose to learn to be a Human Being, I recognize and follow that obligation and responsibility ... which wholly includes learning from those who came before me in this Sacred Land ... including our First Americans.

I pity those that would deny me this ... I pray for you ... I pray that someday you will see me as a Brother ... as is the Stone, the Four-Legged, the Winged or the Tree or the Fish or the Creepy-Crawly ... and that we can work together for future generations rather than dwell on the ignorance of anger through War ...

I welcome responses at sweet@voicenet.com ... and, further, a few of my thoughts regarding these issues appear in my book "A Way of Walking" which I will be happy to provide free of charge.

-- D. Joseph Sweet

Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998
From: JConarkov@aol.com
Subject: RE: "The Declaration"

You have my permission to publish this note....

In many belief-systems in the world, people believe that death is merely part of an endless cycle of birth and re-birth; that the individual is "re- incarnated." I think there is a lot of good evidence and logic to support this world-view. It certainly makes more sense than the static Christian world-view of heaven and hell, where people are preserved in pain or pleasure for.... what?

The point I am trying to make is that we need to consider seriously our UNIVERSAL connection to each and every living being, especially in this instance our human brothers and sisters; consider that the white "wannabes" and non-native seekers of native ways may in fact be some of the re-born ancestors of the native peoples living now. Perhaps these ancestors have returned to teach the white man, the invader, how to respect the earth, to walk with compassion. Perhaps they have returned in the white-man guise to change the "enemy" from within into a friend. If this is the case, then to say that native spiritual customs are slandered or violated when "non-natives" participate in them may be in fact disrespecting one's own ancestors. I seem to vaguely recall that Black Elk had a vision that the ancestors would return from the spirit world to defeat the evils visited upon the People by the white men. Perhaps this is coming to pass, and no-one even knows it.....

Also....

War is a really shameful thing if it has as its cause loathing and fear; as its end separation, disunity, and hate. War is not a light thing. It is very serious, and can only be justified when it has as its cause a profound desire to overcome great evil, mistrust, and fear; as its end unity, friendship, and compassion.

Please consider carefully against what you wish to fight, and what outcomes you wish to bring about. Which kind of war do you fight?

I welcome your correspondence

....

--Joseph

JConarkov@aol.com

Date: Mon, 02 Nov 1998
From: MR J S S MACKAY enpgb@csv.warwick.ac.uk

I explicitly permit this to be reposted or quoted wherever is convenient

Since this list of responses centres quite explicitly around racial and cultural origins, I will start by stating that I am British (Scots/ English), white, and have no first-hand experience with any Native American people or culture.

I have, however, been studying books written by various Native American authors over the past two years, and have been an active participant on the NativeLit mail list for the past year.

I am not in a privileged position from which to agree or disagree with this declaration, but can say that I strongly sympathise with it, and hope to be able to make a very small contribution to cultural wars such as this one by working on books written by New Agers and other cultural appropriators/expropriators.

I have made this posting simply to make a suggestion to the people whose unhappiness with their own background is so evident in many of the postings above. Read books by Native American authors who are NOT writing specifically about religion or spirituality. The authors and books that I have studied are: Sherman Alexie - "Indian Killer" & "The Lone Ranger & Tonto Fistfight in Heaven"; Louise Erdrich "Love Medicine"; Leslie Marmon Silko - "Ceremony" "Almanac of the Dead"; Carter Revard - "An Eagle Nation"; Arnold Krupat & Brian Swann (editors) - "I Tell You Now" (selection of autobiographical writings, and a very useful primer for further authors). I would also recommend Gerald Vizenor's work - "Darkness in Saint Louis Bearheart" is fantastic - but be aware that he is highly "difficult" to read.

Once again, these are books that I have personally read & studied. They do not make up anything like a comprehensive list, but they are a good start. I think that it is important for white people seeking to become "Indian" to read these books, as they are (mostly) by respected authors, and they can teach you (or, at any rate, they taught me) to have respect for a group of cultures that I will never "understand", "be a part of", or be "an expert on".

Plus, they're damn good books.

James Mackay (enpgb@csv.warwick.ac.uk)

Date: Sun, 01 Nov 1998
From: Deb Huglin d55@gte.net

Response to http://maple.lemoyne.edu/%7Ebucko/war.html

Dear Sirs;

I have debated whether or not to address this page for many months. Since the Mission schools and the Jesuits are a major part of the problem with the Tribes in South Dakota, I think it is relatively healthy for you to be involved in the re-establishment of communications between the Peoples of the Plains. As an archaeologist, I feel that Jesuits have systematically done more damage than good over the years, and see this as one more action of Jesuit policy which divides the Peoples and their communities for Jesuit agendas.

However, as a person who grew up with the old ways on the Plains, and who was fortunate enough to have family members not be kidnapped and drug off to Mission schools after the incarceration period of the Indian Wars, I am here to tell you that the comments of these individuals on this page are directly related to the misuse of trust of the Plains People by all the Missionaries (including the Jesuits). That these people are so blinded by the propaganda dividing the Peoples by color and religion is unfounded in the annals of the War and Invasion Trauma left over from generations of abuse. These people are turning away from their real beliefs and Spirituality because it has become muddled by endless interference by outsiders on the communication process which has always made the Plains a stable place to live and grow. Even the posting of this page is an example of interference.

I understand that the alleged agenda of the Jesuits toward the Sioux is an attempt at anthropological intercession on some myopic scientific level. Jesuits teaching indigenous language and tradition amounts to the omission and addition of information according to Jesuit policy from one day to the next. I had mountains of anthro of this nature from one group or another to wade through in college, all connected strictly with the sub-humanizing of the indigenous cultures of the Americas. The very statements and theory behind the writings on this page demonstrate Jesuit and other interference in the current state of remote areas of American indigenous culture.

The worst thing that this page demonstrates is the total disregard of these people to the Sacred teachings of their own Elders. Of all the things I have heard that break my heart, the blatant disregard of the Proof of the Pipe and the Sacred Way are the worst form of Sacrilege that can be harbored on the Plains by the Cut Throat Peoples! The smoke from the Pipe was a blessing and a Sacred truth that could not be denied...proof that we ALL breathe the same breath! Here, on this page, on your site which have an area dedicated to these People, you have given your own proof that you have done damage to the core of the Soul of the Cut Throat People! How dare you? The fact that you are unlikely to include this letter as a part of your detached and textbook "discussion" on this development among the Sioux People is hardly discouraging to me. I have been facing the double truths of the American version of Anthropology my entire life, Jesuit or other.

I grew up on the Plains. I look non-indigious, so many people involved in this have said things to me which have told the real story behind what is going on in "teaching" the People of the Plains. I am also part settler stock (not invader of the Wars time), but I grew up hearing in the 1950's that this was going to be the long-term development by the misuse of trust from Jesuit and other manipulating missionaries to the Plains, especially to the Cut Throat People from the Elders in my family and community. For some reason, someone somewhere really wanted to make the kind of mischief that divides family member from the family, community member from the community, and religion from the heart and soul. This is not the work of the Creator. This is the work of man with politics and policy at it's core. You need to have a real soul searching here, because you have so damaged these people with your policies and your practices that there is no longer a way to separate yourselves from this hateful crime. This is neither science nor the teachings of Jesus...these are your own fatal flaws as a group.

It is pointless to respond to these people and their ranting which are unrealistic with the religious beliefs of the Peoples of the Plains. These people who have signed their names on this declaration are terribly damaged spiritually, mentally emotionally and physically. You are allowing it to be read and responded to as though they were not living and breathing members of our society today. This is not a textbook case of something or another. This is a disheartening and frightening development of people against other people in their own community due to propaganda, genocide, torture, kidnapping, rape and disruption of such normal functions as food intake and housing.

How dare you?

Will you have the nerve to print this with your other "responses"? Your brotherhood has misused the trust of Jesus, and this page is the terrifying truth. The fact of the matter is, I have many Jesuit friends and think a lot of many of the Jesuit pursuits. This one is the mote in the eye of the Creator. Now what?

Deb Huglin
Coordinating Archaeologist
Early Man in the AMericas

Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998
From: RICH AND CONNIE CURRAN twohawks@gte.net

I am very glad to see that there is a place on this earth were we Mixed and FBI can voice ourselves.

Pila Maya for all of your support and for your heart.

I am President of Nasa (Native American Student Association) at Edmonds Community College. I am currently fighting for our rights as a soverng nation(s). Many people think or just found their own heritage and play Hell on those who have been walking these ways for some time. Many of us don't know anything but we know somethings... I really get ticked off when people come into our ways and lie, lie, lie. many follow the Wachicu ways and don't understand chanku Luta. From my heart I am sorry if these people have disrespected any of my relations. I am 1/2 English, 1/8 Irish, 1/8 Spanish and 1/4 Apache. I am a mutt. I walk and follow Lakota ways. I feel safe in these ways. But when people do these ways for greed or in mis conceptional ways.... I ask for your prayers... I ask that you pray for these people so that they do not get more out of control. I was going to give up due to I am getting physically sick from these people's medicine. In my opion they are doing bad medicine and I wanted to quit. I go to the bathroom and blood comes out of my stool. One of my Lakota sisters told me to stand up to these people. She told me to brave up and put these people to their place. I need prayers so I do these things in a good way.
I do these things so that the people may live.
Pila Maya
Wakan Tonka Tonka Shila
Un shi a maya
Un shi a maya
Un shi a maya
Un shi Pila Maya
Thank you
Cetan Nunpa
(Rich Curran)

Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998
From: Kara DuBois kd433288@students.wtamu.edu

"Let us judge not by the color of our skin, but by the color of our spirit" Joe Twofeathers Sr. 1996

I agree and disagree with the declaration of war. As a 1/4 indian I agree. As a woman whose skin color excluded (and still excludes) her from many activities within the native community I disagree. To look at me you would not know that my ancestors roamed this continent long before the white man came, and in truth many of my good friends have no indian blood. We keep the rituals and beliefs of our native brothers and keep them reverently and well. Should we be made war upon because of the color of our skin or the fact of our ancestory?

On the other hand I agree with the declararion. As a part blood and someone who fiercely loves her heritage I agree that there is too much exploitation of the native culture. People take advantage of the "indigenous culture and the natural way" to build their own little religions without understanding the foundation on which they build. To many the practices of the Indians are oddities to be collected and admired but with no sancitity or religious signifigance. This is wrong.

Those are my views on the subject and I give my permission for them to be published.

Kara DuBois

Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998
From: Pood333@aol.com

Post this if you like

Yes, I do think that those who claim to be medicine people and are not should be exposed for what they are, but who is to draw the line on what a person should be able to do, or believe. There will always be ignorant people, there will always be arrogant people, and there will always be greedy people. It is your choice to make someone your friend or your enemy.

If a crystal waving twinky-bunny claimed to be a Lokata shaman- he should be stopped by having word put out that he is a fraud. BUT, it is my understanding that a pipe is JUST a pipe until it has been awakened. Why else would one be able to purchase pipes at Pipestone National Monument. This monument is operated by Native Americans who mine the stone, and make and sell the finished pipes. At almost any reservation out west you will find pipes for sale. If you want to stop the sale of pipes, why not stop it where it starts instead of waiting until a pare of white hands hold it. Twinkys would not be selling them at flea markets and new age stores if Natives didn't sell them in the first place.

Not all white looking people are wannabes, there are some who are respectful and do not dabble in what they don't understand. Not every mixed blood person is aspiring to be a shaman (they really mean new age guru), or claims to be the grandchild of an "Indian princess" . I am a mixed blood person who dances at SOCIAL Intertribals. This activity does not make me "more Indian" , I do not look to other people for validation, but I would no sooner attempt to perform a pipe ceremony than I would a Catholic mass. And I would not pay to sweat anymore than I would wash my feet in someone's holy water. It is wrong for a person to conduct a ceremony without the right or the training to do so, Native or otherwise.

You should look at the fullbloods with no standing who have come east off of the western reservations and are pretending to be medicine people. They speak their language and are VERY persuading to the twinkies they "teach" It has been hard for me to keep some of my friends from being caught up in it.



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