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Reactions to the Statement of Arvol Looking Horse Living as I do in SD I was suprised by a couple of the names on the list for the Cheyenne River meeting.............Prayer is in order..........the Nations of Turtle Island have mine.......... Michael I FORWARDED THIS OUT TO MY FRIENDS WE AGREE WITH YOU ALSO...GREAT LETTERS YOU AND CHUCK WROTE....... Jackie I am saddened to hear that "non-natives are being excluded from the "Seven Sacred Rites" I have been walking Red Road for several years now. I do not consider myself an a threat to the ceremonies simply because my skin is white. I admit that I did not come by my first cannupa in the traditional way. As a matter of fact the man who led me to Red Road was a very cunning trickster who abused the Cannupa and Inipi ceremonies as well as Sundance and Hanbelacia. He used them to recruit people to exploit and abuse women. He claimed to be Wicasa Wakan(Holy Man) Having said that I can say from experience that this type thing does happen and must be stopped at all reasonable cost. I do not consider the exorcism of the "Non-natives" of a good heart to be reasonable. I have attended Inipi Ceremony with "full-bloods and high-bloods that were not run according to the old ways. Where the man pouring the lodge went to sleep during prayer rounds and had to be awakened to finish the lodge. One where the so-called Wicasa Wakan had sex with one of the ladies just before entering the lodge. I have also attended lodge with mixed-bloods and wachissu (whites) leading the ceremony that were the most reverent occasions of my life. When I came to realize that I had been misled I talked to several people I had come to know and trust as to what to do with my cannupa. I was told to put it up and find a reputable source of true Catlanite. I was told about Chuck Derby. After several reference checks I contacted him and asked for a piece of Catlanite from his quarry. When I received it I prayed with it for several weeks before ever scratching it. I placed it on top of the Inipi and asked the Creator to bless it and guide my hands in making it in the traditional way. It is as much a part of me as the blood in my veins. The Snapping Turtle effigy that came out of the stone is a direct reflection of what I do as an environmental leader. It is who I am now. I pray for the people and for the keepers of these Ceremonies that they may see that there are good "non-natives" who walk Red Road as tall as any of our Full-blood brothers and sisters. I for one, will never put my cannupa down because the opinion of others say I am not worthy I attended a gathering of people with one of the Sacred Bundle keepers mentioned as being at the meeting at Eagle Butte. He taught us to follow the road and not the man. I took his advice and started to learn from elders and Sundancers from Pine Ridge. All have taught me that this time we live in is considered the 7th Fire. A time where we "non-natives" would be asked to come back to the ways of the Earth and live as a "Wholistic Nation" This same man has given his o/k for me to run an inipi ceremony for my family since there are no full-bloods around here. I am confused by the mixed message that I am getting. I have been gifted Eagle Feathers on more than one occasion by Full-bloods or high-bloods for my work to keep and protect the rites of the Inipi and the Cannupa. Am I now to believe that I did not deserve them because others of my skin color have misused them? I can not get a permit to carry my feathers since I am not registered. I risk arrest and fines if I am ever caught but I will always carry them because I have earned the right through showing a good heart. Mitakuye Oyasin (ALL MY RELATIONS) Thank you for sending the writings and feelings on Arvol Looking Horse's opinion. I do not want to take it out of context and need more time to review it but my initial reaction is surprise and sadness. What exactly does non-native mean? I have to say to me, "non-native" has little bearing on whether an individual is following the right path. To me, being classified as "native" or "non-native" by whoever feels it necessary to do so makes no difference to the Great Spirit. We are one, David Palmer I think I am tired of the Native Americans (Chuck is not in this category that I am talking about) thinking they have all the answers. In one way we should all practice their thinking and in another way they don’t want us practicing their way. But they want to tell us what to do and how to do it. That they have the connection to the Creator and we don’t. They are just as bad As the Christians....... E M I got the forwarded messages from 'Friends of the Little Feather' this morning. As far as the decision of the Council, I guess I'm inclined to agree with it, acknowledge that there's definitely some validity to it. If you'd be so kind as to listen to what my heart and spirit have to say. My life has been enriched and blessed by my connections with Native American traditions. But for me personally, it's always been a gift. I truly believe that I was called to the ceremonies of reconciliation during the 1980s and the implications of that call still guide my steps after all these years. More and more I appreciate the nature of the call - that it was for reconciliation. More and more I realize that I am a fortunate guest in world that isn't my own. Meanwhile, one of the gifts from my trips to Bear Butte, has been owning my own roots, my own heritage. Coming to terms with my Catholic upbringing. Something that I would have thought impossible, but with the Creator, all things are possible. It is from this perspective that I respect the Council's ruling. There is a lot in the Catholic church that I don't agree with, like not having woman as priests, and priests not being married, and birth control. But more and more I'm aware of my limited vision, that the church and the world are bigger than me, and that I rely on the Elders for decisions. And that the Elders are also limited, but doing the best they can to see clearly. Spiritually, there are issues to the decisions, but I think the decisions came as a result of listening to the people - and these have been issues of anguish, and listening to the Creator, and doing as well as able to walk the road ahead. I have to go for now, thank you for your compassion and your concern for those of us struggling on the white road, but it's ok. We're still guests. mpd
Your Comments Here? please send to wakinyan_wakan@hotmail.com Please go to the following page to get the reactions of the Little Feather Center and other members. (3) E-Mail: wakinyan_wakan@hotmail.com |
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Photo
of daffodils taken by Gloria in her garden in England this week. Thought
you might like to see a touch of spring
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