To my Sisters and Brothers in Spirit,
On March 8 and 9 a meeting of spiritual leaders was held on
the Cheyenne River Reservation.? At the end of that meeting
the Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Arvol Looking
Horse, released the following statement, which I pass on to
you in its entirety:
Protection
of Ceremonies
Chief
Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White
Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to thank all the People that attended
this historic 'Protection of Ceremonies' meeting.
Bernard
Red Cherries - Northern Cheyenne Nation - Northern Cheyenne
Arrow Priest and Elk Society Headsman
Tweety Little Bird - Northern Cheyenne Nation - Northern Cheyenne
Elk Horn Scraper Society
Lee Pedro - Southern Arapahoe Nation - Southern Arapahoe Rabbit
Man (Holy Man)
Dave Chief - Ogallala Nation - Lakota Spiritual Leader
Dave Swallow - Ogallala Nation - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Kevin Horse Looking - Ogallala Nation - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Floyd Hand - Ogallala Nation - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Silo Black Crow - Ogallala Nation - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Sam Moves Camp - Ogallala Nation - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Chris Leith - Prairie Island Dakota Community - Medicine Bundle
Keeper
Gaylen Drapeau Sr. - I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Gaylen Drapeau Jr. - I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Ambrose Little Ghost - Spirit Lake Dakota Nation - Dakota Spiritual
Leader
Calvin Medicine Bear First - Assinoboine Nakota Nation - Nation
Spiritual Leader
Leonard Crow Dog - Si-can-gu Rosebud Sioux Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Roy Stone Sr. - Si-can-gu Rosebud Sioux Nation - Medicine Bundle
Keeper
Ned Medcalf - Si-can-gu Rosebud Sioux Nation - Interpreter/advisor
Leon Red Dog - Hoh-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Steve Vance - Hoh-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Francis Yellow - Hoh-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation - Medicine
Bundle Keeper
Jacob Sanderson - Cree Nation Canada - Medicine Bundle Keeper
Kevin Ta-can - Sioux Valley Manitoba Dakota Nation - Dakota
Spiritual Leader
On
March 8th and 9th, Spiritual Leaders and Bundle Keepers of the
Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nation, Cheyenne Nation and Arapahoe
Nation were called together to discuss the protection from the
abuse and exploitation of our ceremonies. The meeting was held
at the Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, hosted
by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. I would also like to acknowledge
the financial donation from the Prairie Island Dakota Community.
Discussions in the meeting included the molestation taking place
in ceremony, indecent mockery, mixing of new age beliefs, charging
for ceremonies and death, which was never heard of before in
our ancient ceremonial history. There was also discussion of
the use of other 'medicines' (drugs) in and around our ceremonies.
When the White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the Sacred Bundle,
she instructed that only those with a pure mind and heart should
touch the Chanupa. The ceremonies in question, in reference
to all the Plains Tribes, were the I-ni-pi (Purification Ceremony),
Wi-wanyang-wa-chi-pi (Sundance Ceremony) and Han-ble-chi-ya
(vision quest) Sacred Rites.
We
put out notice in the newspapers, native radio stations and
also contacted people through the phone. I offered prayers for
the safe journey of the People to this very important historic
meeting. Those that could not attend, I acknowledge their prayers
for a good outcome for our concerns.
After
long discussion and testimonies of the concerns and issues,
it was decided that it would be up to me, as the Keeper of the
Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe to make a decision. It was good
to feel the beginning of a Unity amongst our People. This has
been my concern for many decades, especially now, when we are
facing an oncoming war. We need to stand strong with our ceremonies!
I
will state what the decision is and also explain the reasons.
I will state the protocols to our Seven Sacred Rites, which
were passed down to me when I became the next Keeper at the
age of 12 years old. These protocols are traditional knowledge
passed down through our oral history and need to be brought
back to strengthen our Ho-cho-ka (our sacred altars) once again.
I will also address the areas that I cannot be involved in.
My responsibility is the Seven Sacred Rites.
It was decided, from March 9th, 2003 and forward, there will
be no non-Natives allowed in our sacred Ho-cho-ka (our sacred
altars) where it involves our Seven Sacred Rites. The only protection
with this decision in Government law; is that only enrolled
members can carry an eagle feather. In all the Seven Sacred
Rites, there has always been the understanding of earning and
a requirement of an eagle feather while participating in these
Rites. The eagle feather stands for Indigenous knowledge and
guidance in our spiritual ways.
The Wi-wanyang-wa-chi-pi (Sundance
Ceremony): The only
participants allowed in the center will be Native People. The
non-Native people need to understand and respect our decision.
If there have been any unfinished commitments to the Sundance
and non-Natives have concern for this decision; they must understand
that we have been guided through prayer to reach this resolution.
Our purpose for the Sundance is for the survival of the future
generations to come, first and foremost. If the non-Natives
truly understand this purpose, they will also understand this
decision and know that by their departure from this Ho-cho-ka
(our sacred altar) is their sincere contribution to the survival
of our future generations.
Please
understand the Wi-wanyang-wa-chi-pi Ceremony is not only taking
place in the center (Ho-cho-ka) with the dancers. The ceremonial
participation also depends on all the supporters on the outside
of the arbor who should be in prayer. From the gate, to the
cook shack, to the fire-keepers, to the supporters around the
arbor, to even the moon camp, all people are still a part of
this sacred ceremony.
There
should be a preparation of Han-ble-chi-ya (vision quest) before
you become a participant of the Sundance.
We
shall go back into this ceremony with the proper protocols before
and during the ceremony itself. Only those that have had the
dream or direction through a ceremony, in concern of someone's
health, should be dancing. Dancers should be secluded from outside
participants, as to not be contaminated by other people's energy
or thoughts. There should be absolutely no food or water during
this four-day ceremony. If there are health problems, you should
choose a person to finish your commitment. This ceremony is
supposed to be for those that believe they can fulfill all required
four days of the ceremony.
Han-ble-chi-ya
(Vision Quest): The
vision quest should be only for Native People that have had
the dream or vision. This Rite is also for the young men and
women that reach the age of 12 years of age.
I-ni-pi (Purification Ceremony):
Those that run this sacred rite should be able to communicate
with Tun-ca-shi-la (our Sacred Grandfathers) in their Native
Plains tongue. They should also have earned this rite by completing
Han-ble-chi-ya and the four days and four years of the Wi-wanyang
wa-chi-pi.
The
other four sacred rites of the Hun-ka
ka-g'a (Making of a Relative),
the Ta-pa kah-go-ya Throwing of the
Sacred Ball), Wi-yan is-na ti (Womanhood
Ceremony) and the Na-gi
glu-ha (Keeping of the Spirit Ceremony),
should be only handled by legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota
Oyate (People).
It was also decided only legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate
Medicine Bundle Keepers should handle any other ceremonies that
are connected to our Ho-co-ka, such as the Lo-wa-pi
and U-wi-pi ceremonies.
There
should be no price tag allowed to participate in any of our
Sacred Ceremonies. The only protocol needed for a ceremony is
to o-pa-gi, meaning to offer your Chanupa or offer tobacco that
has been prayed with, in which the Medicine Person accepts or
not accept if he is not able to assist. Medicine People do need
to survive, and if people wish to give a monetary or any other
gifts after they receive their help from ceremony, giving it
from their hearts, I see no problem with that. We have to have
faith that the Grandfathers will provide for our needs to survive
in this modern society; whether the gift is money, blankets,
food or anything that represents how much they appreciate the
help. Some people can afford big gifts, some people cannot.
It all balances out.
My
position is only for the Seven Sacred Rites. I cannot dictate
to our Medicine People who they allow to attend and support
these Rites, in reference to non-Native People. I cannot dictate
who they choose to doctor in their ceremonies. I cannot dictate
where they travel to doctor.
I
have my own personal feelings on who should be Keepers of our
Sacred Chanupa (Pipe). The Chanupa is very sacred and the Keeper
should first be given a dream and be of Native decent. This
issue should be further discussed in our future meetings. The
reason for my feelings is that I am aware the Chanupa has gone
out to the International community and has been for sale. I
know that most non-Native People do not understand the important
protocols or have had the Traditional background to carry this
sacred item properly. I am aware of women in their moon and
men with blood on their hands (to take ones life intentionally)
have been allowed to touch and carry the Chanupa. These serious
situations were never to be allowed. I offer thanks to the non-Native
People that have returned the Chanupa to our People, after I
privately shared my concerns with them. I acknowledge their
true sincerity in assisting our Nation to protect the survival
of our Traditional way of life on behalf of our future generations.
They have helped us bring back honor and respect to our sacred
Ho-co-ka and Chanupa.
There
was also discussion of only the Plains Tribal members to participate
in the Ho-co-ka of the Wi-wanyang wa-chi-pi and the Han-ble
chi-ya Ceremonies. In the early 70's, Chief Fools Crow and my
father Stanley Looking Horse decided to allow other Native Nations
to participate in these Rites. Their reasons were based on the
fact that most Nations have lost their ways through assimilation
or lack of Teachers to teach their Indigenous ways. They honored
and understood the unity of the First Nations People when different
Tribes came to the aid of the Wounded Knee Occupation. I cannot
undo their decision out of respect for our Chief and Elder.
It has also been in our history that our Ancestors have respectfully
shared our ceremonies with other Indigenous Nations.
The original teachings were that the Pipe Carrier should make
their own Chanupa. There was an understanding of the sincere
spiritual energy and the traditional values passed down through
our bloodlines. All the values of compassion, love, honor, respect
and truth are molded into the spiritual life they are creating.
I hope that one day the future generations will again pick up
this important protocol.
I
would like to invite all our Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations
to the next ceremony when I bring out the Sacred White Buffalo
Calf Bundle. The dates in the fall will be announced. During
this time we will place the 12 honorable compassionate men to
assist in taking care of the concerns of the Sacred Chanupa.
We will also discuss the protocols of the need to have a good
mind and good heart to be a member of the Societies that will
carry out these decisions in a respectful manner.
There
will be another Protection of Ceremonies meeting to further
discuss and address these serious issues in the future. This
meeting will be sponsored by the Cheyenne Nation.
Once again, I thank all those that have offered prayers for
these very serious issues to be discussed and handled in a good
way.
In
the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
As I read this statement, Arvol, on
behalf of the spiritual leaders present at that meeting, is
stating that from March 9, 2003 forward no non-Natives are to
participate in the Seven Sacred Rites: "It was decided, from
March 9th, 2003 and forward, there will be no non-Natives allowed
in our sacred Ho-co-ka (our sacred altars) where it involves
our Seven Sacred Rites." Arvol's personal feeling is that non-Natives
should not continue to carry the Sacred Pipe. He is careful
to state that this is his personal feeling, and that the issue
will be considered further at future meetings concerning the
protection of ceremonies: "I have my own personal feelings on
who should be Keepers of our Sacred Chanupa (Pipe). The Chanupa
is very sacred and the Keeper should first be given a dream
and be of Native decent. This issue should be further discussed
in our future meetings. The reason for my feelings is that I
am aware the Chanupa has gone out to the International community
and has been for sale. I know that most non-Native People do
not understand the important protocols or have had the Traditional
background to carry this sacred item properly."
These are momentous issues for many of us, who respect the ways
given to us by our Dakota-Lakota-Nakota sisters and brothers,
and would not disrespect them, nor the spiritual leaders who
issued this statement. Perhaps because of that, and because
of the dreams that have led me to the Red Road to which I now
devote my life, for me, the words coming from Eagle Butte are
especially heartbreaking.
