Where do we go when our thoughts are consumed with hate? It eventually consumes peoples lives and all those around them. The paranoia grows into there minds as well and both hate and paranoia get twisted up into something that is a dark mucus like substance, maybe like cancer.
The best place to go is maybe a sweat lodge, our ancestors will show us how to let go of hate. Yesterday, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head by a young man. The political hate rhetoric speeches and campaigns have crossed the line. Going to far with violent innuendo's,and posturing. Can we all see that things have to change in a positive way, without physical fighting with the left and right and all in between. This wasn't the first time that physical violence has erupted over differing political views. We have all evolved farther along than that, at least I hope so. Keith Olbermann from msnbc said it quite well in his news release.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq38Nnf4pOw
There are a lot of good links about this incident out there...
What I want all native peoples to remember, that this has happened to all our peoples one time or another. Such one incident is the Sand Creek massacre on November 29th, 1864, and 650 volunteers and Calvary went and massacred 150 men, women and children. Now I know most of us have heard and read about this incident and numerous other stories. What I am getting at is this. It did not help when the media got involved and printed an ad that said " only good Indian is a dead Indian", I believe there was a reward offered for Indian scalps for 100 dollars a piece.
The point is, the media, government, and everyone in this world, has a responsibility to respect each others opinion, without physical harm. Especially people in the public sectors, where many people look at as a leader. This has been going on in Indian country for 500 years. I hope that we can learn from all from this incident and from our own past. AHO, All my relations
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
still blogging #5
Thanks for the comments on the blog.. here are two videos to take a look at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhQ-335yec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE9LCHI9T_o
Still learning to get around on this.. So, my own opinion on if whites should be in ceremonies is yes.. Native people are of mixed blood and mixed cultures. Native people have had to embrace the dominate society and cultures, and even the different religions. The red road is not a religion, it is a way of life, practiced for thousands of years, longer than any religion. There is an understanding among natives that it is to be shared with the people, yet sometimes we close the door for private reasons. To many times have we seen native cultures exploited, and twisted, for whatever reasons. So yes, it is difficult to share with other people. All peoples...
We all need to respect each other as best we can, no one is perfect. Humans are not perfect, and sometimes I elect not to participate with natives and non-natives. So too, all people will have to make that decision as well. I have never paid for a North American ceremony, there shouldn't be a cover charge to get in the door. At this point I feel this way about it.
Thanks again...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhQ-335yec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE9LCHI9T_o
Still learning to get around on this.. So, my own opinion on if whites should be in ceremonies is yes.. Native people are of mixed blood and mixed cultures. Native people have had to embrace the dominate society and cultures, and even the different religions. The red road is not a religion, it is a way of life, practiced for thousands of years, longer than any religion. There is an understanding among natives that it is to be shared with the people, yet sometimes we close the door for private reasons. To many times have we seen native cultures exploited, and twisted, for whatever reasons. So yes, it is difficult to share with other people. All peoples...
We all need to respect each other as best we can, no one is perfect. Humans are not perfect, and sometimes I elect not to participate with natives and non-natives. So too, all people will have to make that decision as well. I have never paid for a North American ceremony, there shouldn't be a cover charge to get in the door. At this point I feel this way about it.
Thanks again...
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Native ceremonies 4th page
Yesterday I wrote about native people sharing there ways of ceremony for other natives. Is there other ways we might be able to share each others knowledge and wisdom without corrupting what we feel is sacred? I think it is possible, to walk that harmonious path without losing ones culture or the customs of ones tribe. To walk in a humble and sacred manner takes years of dedication on the Red road. It is not a path that should be taken lightly or just a brief stint at getting ones feet wet. There is no quick way of spiritual fulfillment, it isn't Burger King, where you can have it your way, and to-go. The people I have participated in ceremonies with, take the native ways seriously and know that there is no quick way of spiritual enlightenment. The Sioux (Lakota), don't seem to want other natives to practice there customs outside of there area of the plains. I might be wrong about this, yet Arvol Looking Horse seems to be asking that there "ways" should be practiced by lakotas.
On the most part, the people I have participated with are of mixed descent and a few of them are white. How can I say no to someone who has the same blood as mine (in part), my own children have white descendants in there blood. They are no less than any FBI, and I will not turn my back on them. Whether you are a FBI or part native, I have seen people do things that is questionable, and maybe morally wrong. They still participate in ceremonies, and some still run ceremonies. We don't necessary stop them from doing this, because in-part, it wasn't a crime, and we are running low on people to perform these ceremonies. Who or what do we turn to when we need help? The great spirit, yet I can not always get the spirit to pour the water and sing the songs. I have to rely on myself or someone available to help with the ceremony. I have participated with full on white people who ran the ceremony, and it went great. They were very humble and respectful people with a understanding of our culture. They have good hearts and there actions was always with a good thought towards the native peoples. They are no less than you or I, yet they are the exception, not the rule.
We, as a people, are scared of losing our identity, and our rights, and with good reason. It has already happened to us, and it has taken a long time to get them back. We need to be cautious with our ceremonies and ways, it is our identity after all. So how do we protect our ways without losing our identity? Don't know for certain, yet it is the spiritual heritage that can not be contained to one individual or a peoples. Spiritual heritage is individualistic in nature, cannot be owned, sold, or bartered with. We do not own the wind, sky, sun, or all of those things that are spirit. We can only let the individual, figure it out on there own, how it works. We do not have to share the knowledge, or tools, if we don't feel the need to. It is your right what to share or not to share. For me I'm hesitant to share, there are people that are morally corrupt and also immature to properly use these different medicines. When someone uses medicines against other people that would cause harm , I don't want to be around them. They generally have no ears to hear, and there mind is not always firing in the right order.
The healing of the people is starting to bring the people together, yet there is a long ways to go. There are a lot of problems that need to be healed within our own peoples and the total healing will take many years. What do we do when someone wants to reconnect with this Earth and remember what those connections were for them? I don't want to turn away someone who needs the help, it might be there last hope. My own hope is that all people can heal, and reconnect with there higher power. Maybe then we can all live the life that is in harmony with this earth. I can only hope we can get past our differences, and our hearts are filled with love and compassion for one another. Aho, all my relations
On the most part, the people I have participated with are of mixed descent and a few of them are white. How can I say no to someone who has the same blood as mine (in part), my own children have white descendants in there blood. They are no less than any FBI, and I will not turn my back on them. Whether you are a FBI or part native, I have seen people do things that is questionable, and maybe morally wrong. They still participate in ceremonies, and some still run ceremonies. We don't necessary stop them from doing this, because in-part, it wasn't a crime, and we are running low on people to perform these ceremonies. Who or what do we turn to when we need help? The great spirit, yet I can not always get the spirit to pour the water and sing the songs. I have to rely on myself or someone available to help with the ceremony. I have participated with full on white people who ran the ceremony, and it went great. They were very humble and respectful people with a understanding of our culture. They have good hearts and there actions was always with a good thought towards the native peoples. They are no less than you or I, yet they are the exception, not the rule.
We, as a people, are scared of losing our identity, and our rights, and with good reason. It has already happened to us, and it has taken a long time to get them back. We need to be cautious with our ceremonies and ways, it is our identity after all. So how do we protect our ways without losing our identity? Don't know for certain, yet it is the spiritual heritage that can not be contained to one individual or a peoples. Spiritual heritage is individualistic in nature, cannot be owned, sold, or bartered with. We do not own the wind, sky, sun, or all of those things that are spirit. We can only let the individual, figure it out on there own, how it works. We do not have to share the knowledge, or tools, if we don't feel the need to. It is your right what to share or not to share. For me I'm hesitant to share, there are people that are morally corrupt and also immature to properly use these different medicines. When someone uses medicines against other people that would cause harm , I don't want to be around them. They generally have no ears to hear, and there mind is not always firing in the right order.
The healing of the people is starting to bring the people together, yet there is a long ways to go. There are a lot of problems that need to be healed within our own peoples and the total healing will take many years. What do we do when someone wants to reconnect with this Earth and remember what those connections were for them? I don't want to turn away someone who needs the help, it might be there last hope. My own hope is that all people can heal, and reconnect with there higher power. Maybe then we can all live the life that is in harmony with this earth. I can only hope we can get past our differences, and our hearts are filled with love and compassion for one another. Aho, all my relations
Friday, December 31, 2010
Native ceremonies
Native people of north America, have every right to run native ceremonies. Whose tribe they come from may dictate on what type of ceremony it is, and how they may run it. Arvol looking horse wants Sioux people to run lakota ceremonies( 7 different ones total ), sweat lodge, sundance, to name 2 of them. For every tribe in America has a unique way of running, singing, praying, etc.. There are many ways to conduct these 2 ceremonies, and which way is the right way or wrong way?
The US government has made treaties and, promises to a lot of tribes to pacify there own thirst for land and wealth that it might bring them. Too many times we (natives) have agreed to their terms and conditions to save our people. We had no choice, because there was no real solution to all those treaties, we had to say yes.
The government has been our jailer, our warden, our protector... So they could have the land and what wealth it would bring to them. They sent our parents, grand parents to boarding schools, took our language away from us and separated the people from the people. They have been trying to divide us from the very start. We have all heard the term "divide and conquer", have we not. The children, the language, the customs, and our way of life. How can every tribe retain the true nature of spirituality when there are no ones left to let us know if we are doing it the right way? This is what our Great White Father wanted! To divide and conquer, and take away the lines of communication with the people. It has been a military tactic that has served them well.
Now back to what I'm trying to convey... is this, How can one person or tribe, dictate to native peoples on the ceremonies? There are a lot people who are showing, and running ceremonies all over this country, by different tribes and customs. There are many songs that have been recorded and distributed all over the Internet. Pictures taken of ceremonies have been taken and distributed all over the web. The proverbial cat has been let out of bag, so to speak, and the cat won't go back in. These ceremonies are all native peoples and should not be held by just one tribe or people. We all need to come together now more than ever before. This earth is hurting, the people are suffering, and the animals are becoming extinct... We all need to put aside our own differences, and think of all our children, or there won't be a future for anyone or thing.
Back in the day, 1972?, there was the Native freedom of religion act, in which all natives could perform there own religion. The door was opened again by our "Great White Father", who allowed all of us to pray the way needed to. They knew it could cause a division among the peoples of America, or unite them like the Ghost Dance, but wait the Ghost Dance was still outlawed. So there is still a fear with the government that the native peoples will join together and attack the jailers, the warden and the Great White Father, when they said that they come in Peace... I'm not advocating violence, but a peaceful resolution, through prayer, ceremonies and with the melding of the peoples. I am already part of one of those steps, not by choice, but by procreation. You see, I'm not a FBI but rather an mutt, with no one to go back to. I can stand on my own two feet just fine, yet I want to see my own children walk into a ceremony without any prejudice from the FBI. We are becoming less and less of the people(FBI), by way of assimilation and the "melding" of the dominate society. So... what is the next step? I will offer my hand in friendship, and my voice in discussion, and my heart in prayer, for the betterment of all native peoples.
So the question again is this... Who is the one.., or tribe, who makes the decision on how we are to pray and in what way to pray is the Right way?
I myself pray to the Great Spirit for the guidance, so the people might once again live the life of there own choosing. Aho, all my relations... more later..
The US government has made treaties and, promises to a lot of tribes to pacify there own thirst for land and wealth that it might bring them. Too many times we (natives) have agreed to their terms and conditions to save our people. We had no choice, because there was no real solution to all those treaties, we had to say yes.
The government has been our jailer, our warden, our protector... So they could have the land and what wealth it would bring to them. They sent our parents, grand parents to boarding schools, took our language away from us and separated the people from the people. They have been trying to divide us from the very start. We have all heard the term "divide and conquer", have we not. The children, the language, the customs, and our way of life. How can every tribe retain the true nature of spirituality when there are no ones left to let us know if we are doing it the right way? This is what our Great White Father wanted! To divide and conquer, and take away the lines of communication with the people. It has been a military tactic that has served them well.
Now back to what I'm trying to convey... is this, How can one person or tribe, dictate to native peoples on the ceremonies? There are a lot people who are showing, and running ceremonies all over this country, by different tribes and customs. There are many songs that have been recorded and distributed all over the Internet. Pictures taken of ceremonies have been taken and distributed all over the web. The proverbial cat has been let out of bag, so to speak, and the cat won't go back in. These ceremonies are all native peoples and should not be held by just one tribe or people. We all need to come together now more than ever before. This earth is hurting, the people are suffering, and the animals are becoming extinct... We all need to put aside our own differences, and think of all our children, or there won't be a future for anyone or thing.
Back in the day, 1972?, there was the Native freedom of religion act, in which all natives could perform there own religion. The door was opened again by our "Great White Father", who allowed all of us to pray the way needed to. They knew it could cause a division among the peoples of America, or unite them like the Ghost Dance, but wait the Ghost Dance was still outlawed. So there is still a fear with the government that the native peoples will join together and attack the jailers, the warden and the Great White Father, when they said that they come in Peace... I'm not advocating violence, but a peaceful resolution, through prayer, ceremonies and with the melding of the peoples. I am already part of one of those steps, not by choice, but by procreation. You see, I'm not a FBI but rather an mutt, with no one to go back to. I can stand on my own two feet just fine, yet I want to see my own children walk into a ceremony without any prejudice from the FBI. We are becoming less and less of the people(FBI), by way of assimilation and the "melding" of the dominate society. So... what is the next step? I will offer my hand in friendship, and my voice in discussion, and my heart in prayer, for the betterment of all native peoples.
So the question again is this... Who is the one.., or tribe, who makes the decision on how we are to pray and in what way to pray is the Right way?
I myself pray to the Great Spirit for the guidance, so the people might once again live the life of there own choosing. Aho, all my relations... more later..
Thursday, December 30, 2010
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