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The statements by Leonard Crow Dog and the report by Tom Kanatakeniate has given me a somewhat different perspective and feeling about what has been said regarding the Protection of Sacred Ceremony. While I still believe that I have no right to dictate to any nation what is best or not, for that nation's spiritual choices, such as the decision with Sacred Ceremonies, I am as one individual, becoming more concerned with this issue. It is a topic of discussion that is being discussed everywhere in Indian country. Many are angry because they believe they are being denied the opportunity to participate and/or take part in ceremonies that are of the Oyate and Plains People. I have never seen it as a denial to participate in Sacred Ceremony - for I still believe, that if anyone, with a sincere intent were to approach any sincere and true Spiritual Leader, with a request for help, they would not be turned away because of the color of their skin, or because they do not have a card or their blood is "not pure enough." I know there are legitimate reasons for concern about the abuse of Sacred Ceremony and rightfully so. I don't think there is much argument with this, nor a need for me to rehash or report again on the instances of abuses that have, in one well-known recent incident, cost the lives of two people in a "Sweatlodge." But there are greater concerns here. The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978. In these recent announcements, regarding the Protection of Sacred Ceremony, there has also been discussion regarding the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 and changes being made to the law, to protect Sacred Ceremonies. But whose ceremonies are we talking about? Just as I feel, I have no right to dictate to the Oyate People how they will conduct their Sacred Ceremonies, I can't help but feel some concern about the Spiritual Leaders who have made mention of changing the law. Since the original statement, issued by Arvol Looking Horse in March 2003, makes mention of this, is it in reference to the Lakota? I ask this question of myself, because I can't help but wonder - since this law affords the right of freedom of religion to all native nations - any changes being proposed by one nation will impact on all others and what if, the many nations of this country do not agree with any proposed changes to the current law? Have Spiritual Leaders from other nations been consulted or included in any meetings or gatherings where discussions are ongoing concerning changes to the law? The Sacred Ceremony of the Lakota may differ in many ways with the Sacred ceremony of another nation - so therefore why this need to discuss changes to the law? Why is it even being considered and who will enforce it? The government - the United States Government? The BIA? Who? Are not the Cherokee, the Lakota - the Passamaquoddy - the Seminole - the Crow - and on and on, sovereign nations? Do any leaders of these nations and all native nations - want to see changes made? These are troubling questions. There is also the question of race and the abuse of Sacred ceremonies. Granted, Whites have often abused the ceremonies of the People - but most assuredly NOT all whites. And what about intermarriages? What about those who are white and have married a native man or woman? How will this impact upon them? What will it do to the children born of these marriages? As a native woman of mixed blood, I have had, as we all have, more than my share of accusations and questioning of who I am. I hear again and again the words that are racial words - the same type of racial words that native activists everywhere are fighting, that portray native people in ways which is anything but the truth. We decry racism and how it has impacted upon our people. But are we any better when we do this ourselves? When we point fingers at any race with blanket accusations? And when it comes from Spiritual leaders? Like so many others, I have found this a very difficult issue. I am confused at times and while I have strong convictions and will stand by what I truly believe, I am not that stubborn that I cannot see another view, hear another voice and listen to the concerns of so many people and not help but wonder and question myself. But who am I? some will ask? Just another wanabee - a twinkie? Oh yes, how often I have heard those words - and how often many of us of mixed blood and ancestry have as well. I have no card - don't want one. But I know who I am. I am one of those lost birds we hear about... who through no fault of our own, except perhaps for the desire of our ancestors to survive, we lost that connection to our traditions and our ways. There are many of us too. And yes, whether our blood quantum adds up or not, we too, are Indian. I really feel, that a close eye must be kept upon anyone who proposes changes to the law (see below) that might have an impact on nations that may not desire such changes. I also feel that the less government intrusion nations have upon them the better. Don't we all know the impact of that? All we have to do is remember history - and not the history that many of us were brainwashed into believing. But the true history of government interference and control of native peoples. Not only what was done in the past, but what is happening in the here and now. Jeanne
Svhyeyi Aga Chadwick Please go to the following pages to get the reactions of the Little Feather Center and other members. Updates
complements of the Friends of Little
Feather Center, Pipestone MN. All copy in the interviews and letters are not the work of the Little Feather Center but the authors of each piece we are just collecting them in one place for educational purposes. |
