AIM Support Group of Ohio & N. KentuckyUpdates and Announcements
Saturday, October 19, 2002PLASTIC MEDICINE MEN A Resolution of the 5th Annual Meeting of the Traditional Elders Circle This resolution was made at the Meeting of the Elders Circle at Northern Cheyenne Nation, Two Moons Camp, Rosebud Creek, Montana, on October 5, 1980. It represents an early response of many by traditional elders as well as by the American Indian Movement and others to clarify that the Native American spiritual tradition is not for sale, is not legitimately sold, and that the components of the religion must be kept in balance by highly trained leaders who are legitimate representatives of the tribes. The elders feel that in many cases the appropriation of Native spirituality by non-Indians is another attempt by the dominant culture to take from the Indians, and shows considerable disrespect for the Native tradition and culture. 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 our understanding that this is not a proper process and 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 are 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 preying upon the spiritual needs and ignorance of our non-Indian brothers and sisters.The value of these instructions and ceremonies is questionable, maybe meaningless, and hurtful to the individual carrying false messages. There are questions that should be asked of these individuals: What Nation do they represent? What is their Clan and Society? Who instructed them and where did they learn? What is their home address? 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: Austin Two Moons, Northern Cheyenne Nation; Larry Anderson, Navajo Nation; Thomas Banyacya, Hopi Independent Nation; Frank Cardinal, Sr., Chateh, Alberta; Phillip Deer, Muskogee (Creek) Nation; Walter Denny, Chippewa-Cree Nation; Chief Fools Crow, Lakota Nation; Peter O'Chiese, Entrance, Alberta; Izador Thorn, Washington; Tadadaho, Haudenassaunee; TomYellowtail, Wyola MT. NOTE: The Elders charged the American Indian Movement and others with responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the Indian traditions. AIM then made a resolution in 1984 naming some of those whom the Elders have in mind, and asserting, among other things, that "attempted theft of Indian ceremonies is a direct attack and theft from Indian people themselves." Some of those named are non-Indian authors and ritual leaders; others may be native Americans, but may also be distanced from their tribes and not designated as representatives of the people. __________________________________________________ Move forward to 2002 - 22 Years Later: TO THE SUNDANCE NATIONS OF THE GREAT PLAINS SEPT. 26, 2002 1. Northern Cheyenne 2. Arapaho 3. Shoshoni 4. Crow Tribe 5. Dakota Sioux Treaty Council 6. National Congress of American Indians-Washington, D.C. Brothers, greetings: I, Bernard Red Cherries, Jr., Northern Cheyenne Sundance Priest, humbly request your presence at a meeting on October 20th, 2002, at the Tim Lame Woman residence at Rosebud Creek, 3½ miles east of Busby, Montana, at 1 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to address concerns involving our Sacred Sundance Ceremonial and the exploitation thereof. The following to include discussions of the current issues of exploitation involving the following ceremonials: Sacred Sweat-lodge and related ceremonials attached to our most sacred ways of life. It has been some time now since we as Traditional Ceremonial Persons who depend on these ways for our very lives have said or done anything to aggressively approach this touchy subject. It has come time now to speak up and make a joint stand to protect that which our Grandfathers have left for us. It is our responsibility to ensure these ways remain sacred and as original as it was in the time of our Grandfathers. To do nothing and simply not say anything would be the same as approving of the current abuse to continue. It is these very Sacred Ways that our Grandfathers fought so hard to protect and were caused to suffer, not only at the policies of the United States Government, but the general public, as well. When the Sacred Sundance was banned by the government, our elders made numerous trips to Washington, D.C., begging to be allowed to practice these very Sacred Ceremonials. When they were denied, they simply went underground and as a result of their bold actions and courage today, we still have our Sacred Songs and Language in which we communicate with the Sacred Spirits, Sacred Powers, Earth, Stars, Moons, and Elements; none of which could be fully understood or duplicated by anyone other than our own kind by virtue of having been customarily taught through our Physical and Spiritual participation in these very Sacred Ceremonies. Today in a fad-like fashion, our very Sacred Ways are being carried out in epidemic proportions all across this country, including overseas, being changed and misinterpreted by those not Traditionally or Ceremonially qualified to do so. The purpose of this gathering is not to further aggression or hatred towards no-one, but simply to call for protection of our Sacred Ceremonials, so we as our Grandfathers had done, can protect these ways for our Grandchildren. The current policy of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act has not protected us or our Sacred Ceremonies and the Cultural and Spiritual integrity of our most Sacred Ways that are being changed to suit those other than it was intended for (our own). Today there is a misguided, misconcepted, and often corrupted overused view of what some Nations refer to as "Turtle Island", and the coming together of all Nations in a Great Sundance Circle. I for one have yet to have heard anything from my elders about a "Turtle Island" and this great coming together of all Nations; In fact I was told of how we should be cautious of the "trickster" and how he would attempt to divide us, how he would use all of his knowledge, education and money to fool us!!! How we will be sincere and they will take from us the heart of all that exists, our lifeline, the Sacred Sundance. If you look around you in all directions, you will now see what I write about. In some cases, I would assume it is permissible to allow for those of other Nations to pray with us, but to keep the cultural, Traditonal and Ceremonial integrity to the Traditonal, validated ceremonially taught leaders to hold and be the interpreters for our grandchildren. These ways must remain protected now, as we are now in the capacity to do so. A unified declaration to request protection and relevant changes to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act will be presented to the National Congress of American Indians on November 10-15th, 2002, in San Diego, California. To request for this protection is our responsibility as Traditional Sundance Peoples and Leaders. Copies of this protection endeavor will be given to Congress and Senate through their elected officials. Today there are now being held Sundances all across this country in State parks, National parks, and private lands, away from the Traditional authority, and besides this is a Tribal Level Ceremony that requires the participation of the entire tribe, young and old. So by doing so, those that hold or run these Sundances away from the Traditionals and People elude any corrective measure or action by the Traditional Leaders, Warrior Societies, and at best, give society a false impression of our very Sacred Ways. These Ceremonies cannot be bought like some dime store novelty or duplicated by non-natives, as our language is our key to communicating with the Earth, Spirits and Sacred Elements. Summoning the Powers in our Native Tongue and Song is priceless and irreplaceable. We will have a Sweat Lodge Ceremony prior to our meeting, this will begin at around 1 PM, with refreshments to follow. After the meeting, a traditional dry meat meal will be served. I urge those of you to come with an open heart and mind and I remind all of you that this is neither a breeding ground for the hatred of others or place to assassinate one's character, but a Sacred Gathering so we as Traditional People, Practitioners, and Spiritual Leaders can come together in a respectful and humble manner to address this issue of abuse and exploitation, and come up with a solution to protect our very Sacred Ceremonial Ways of Life. So I humbly come before you and ask as a brother to join me in this endeavor to protect the Sacred Ways for our Grandchildren and future generations to come. Ha-ho Bernard Red Cherries Jr. Norhtern Cheyenne Sundance-Arrow Priest, Elk Society Headsman. 7th generation direct descendant of Chief Little Wolf, who along with Dull Knife fought to bring the Northern Cheyenne home, from the Indian Territories-Oklahoma to the North Country, where "we forever will remain" cc: Francis Brown, Harold Smith, Jerry Redman, Joe Waterman-Arapaho Nation, John Pretty on Top- Crow Nation; Calvin First Bear- Dakota Sioux Nation; Shoshone Agency - Shoshoni Nation Cultural Commission, Ft. Washakie, Wy.; John Wooden Legs, Jr.-Vice Chairman- Northern Cheynne Tribe.; Lillian Sparks-National Congress of American Indians-Washington, D.C.; Juana Veho-National Congress of American Indians-Washington, D.C.; Senator Ben Night Horse Campbell-Washington, D.C.; Senator Daniel Inoyah-Washington, D.C.; Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate. 838 Hart Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 posted by Webmaster@ AIM Support 8:34 AM
Monday, October 14, 2002Subject: INDIANS PLAN SOMBER DAY INDIANS PLAN SOMBER DAY Friday, October 11, 2002 NEWS - FAITH & VALUES 03D http://libpub.dispatch.com/cgi-bin/documentv1?DBLIST=cd02&DOCNUM=44561&TERMV=161:7:287:7:25970:7: Scrapping or renaming the Santa Maria would be good ways for the city to celebrate Columbus Day, a spokesman for local American Indians said. The replica of the flagship on Christopher Columbus' voyage to this continent in 1492 is moored along the Scioto River, west of City Hall. A march to the boat will follow a prayer circle at 10 a.m. Monday at Bicentennial Park, on the northwest corner of W. Main Street and Civic Center Drive, said Mark A. Welsh, treasurer of the Native American Association of Central Ohio. "We're hoping to make people realize that Christopher Columbus had a lot of good points and a lot of bad points, notably the genocide of Native American people,'' he said. Welsh said the center wants the city to get rid of the Santa Maria or at least describe both sides of the voyage's effects. Another option, he said, would be for the city to rename the boat "Spirit of Ohio'' or something else that doesn't glorify the damage to American Indians from Europeans' arrival. posted by Webmaster@ AIM Support 3:07 PM
posted by Webmaster@ AIM Support 3:02 PM Last updated:
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