I belong to another listserve called NativeNet. The below message came
across today, and I thought you might find it interesting. I am
forwarding it without prior consent of the original sender.
NativeNet has recently (the past 5 months at least) been busy with
traffic concerning the desecration being committed to native religions.
Much anger is felt tword white/European folk for diluting the sacred,
ancient, and rich traditions of American Indians. If any of you are
interested, contact me and I will try to forward pieces of this dialogue
to you.
With love,
Luke Jones
l_jones@pnl.gov
P.S.: Petros or others at Pot O' Gold, have you been getting my messages?
==========================================================================
Original Sender: Jacqueline.F.Keeler@Dartmouth.edu (Jake)
Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us)
[ This article relayed from the Usenet "soc.culture.native" newsgroup ]
This is reprinted without permission from Ward Churchill's _Fantasies
of the Master Race_.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yes, I know of Sun Bear. He's a plastic medicine man.
- Matthew King
Oglala Lakota Elder
1985
RESOLUTION OF THE 5TH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE TRADITION ELDER'S CIRCLE
Northern Cheyenne Nation, Two Moons' Camp
Rosebud Creek, Montana
October 5, 1980
It has been brought to the attention of the Elders and their
representatives in Council that various individuals are moving about
this Great Turtle Island and across the great waters to foreign soil,
purporting to be spiritual leaders. They carry pipes and other objects
sacred to the Red Nations, the indigenous people of the western
hemisphere.
These individuals are gathering non-Indian people as followers who
believe they are receiving instructions of the original people. We,
the Elders and our representatives sitting in Council, give warning to
these non-Indian followers that it is in our understanding this is not
a proper process, that the authority to carry these sacred objects is
given by the people, and the purpose and procedure is specific to time
and the needs of the people.
The medicine people are chosen by the medicine and long instruction
and discipline is necessary before ceremonies and healing can be done.
These procedures are always in the Native tongue; there are no
exceptions and profit is not the motivation.
There are many Nations with many and varied procedures specifically
for the welfare of their people. These processes and ceremonies are of
the most Sacred Nature. The Council finds the open display of these
ceremonies contrary to these Sacred instructions.
Therefore, be warned that these individuals are moving about playing
upon the spiritual needs and ignorance of our non-Indian brothers and
sisters. The value of these instructions and ceremonies are
questionable, maybe meaningless, and hurtful to the individual carrying
false messages. There are questions that should be asked of these
individuals:
1) What Nation does the person represent?
2) What is their Clan and Society?
3) Who instructed them and where did they learn?
4) What is their home address?
If no information is forthcoming, you may inquire at the addresses
listed below, and we will try to find out about them for you.
We concern ourselves only with those people who use spiritual
ceremonies with non-Indian people for profit. There are many things to
be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common destiny as one
with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered
with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry the
Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and
misuse of these powerful forces.
Signed,
Tom Yellowtail
Wyola, MT 59089
Larry Anderson
Navajo Nation
P.O. Box 342
Fort Defiance, AZ 86504
Izadore Thom
Beech Star Route
Bellingham, WA 98225
Thomas Banyacya
Hopi Independent Nation
Shungopavy Pueblo
Second Mesa via AZ 86043
Phillip Deere (deceased)
Muskogee (Creek) Nation (in tribute)
Walter Denny
Chippewa-Cree Nation
Rocky Boy Route
Box Elder, MT 59521
Austin Two Moons
Northern Cheyenne Nation
Rosebud Creek, MT
Tadadaho
Haudenasaunee
Onondaga Nation via
Nedrow, NY 13120
Chief Fools Crow (deceased)
Lakota Nation (in tribute)
Frank Cardinal, Sr.
Chateh, P.O. Box 120
Assumption, Alberta
Canada T0M 0S0
Peter O'Chiese
Entrance Terry Ranch
Entrance, Alberta
Canada
--- Jacqueline.F.Keeler@Dartmouth.edu