Love land . . .

From Linda Black Elk::::

Have you ever been to the prairies of North and South Dakota?

Today it is raining and Mother Earth is soaking it up and nourishing all of those roots and tubers that are going to sleep for winter. There's still a ton of wildflowers - goldenrod, sunflowers, cleome. The butterflies and bees are still busy - even in the rain - and the bald eagle couples are settling into their massive nests to keep warm in the coming months. Some of them have eaglets.

When the wind blows across the tallgrass prairie, it looks just like golden ocean waves. The hawks love to look for mice on those windy days, because it's difficult for the rodents to hide among the moving grains. The pronghorn and bison graze lazily next to each other, while herds of white tail and mule deer, skittish because of the coyotes, stand in tight cliques...always on guard.
The Missouri River - the Lakota call it Mníšoše - winds through the prairie - moving steadily in its altered course. I always wonder what it was like to stand on the shore, underneath massive cottonwood trees, before the river was dammed. It is still so beautiful, quiet, and alive with the activity of jumping fish, frogs, and water fowl.


This is why we are here. This is what we are fighting for. This is what we are protecting. I just wanted you all to know what is in my heart. #NoDAPL

FOR "THE PEOPLE" !



Eagle by Corinne Parks

Within one of our Lakota origin legends, a young Lakota warrior scouted desperately for food as the Hohe (Flathead) closed in on him. Beyond mortal help, he cried out with a prayer, “Great Mystery, allow my brothers and sisters to hear my voice before I am destroyed!” As a traditional Lakota warrior, he recognized his impending death. He cried out “Great messenger whose feathers extend beyond ...the heavens, remember me!”

The eagle hearing these cries responded, “Brother, I am your sister. I will call upon our family’s strength to save you.” Immediately thereafter, this proud Lakota warrior humbly saw fifty eagles descending. Yet it took only six of the eagles to save this Lakota warrior. They flew him high up in the mountains to the Lakota and the eagles’ ancestral nest. Few among the Lakota today realize the significance of the nest which represents the perfection of the Great Mystery.

-Wanbli Sina Win



Mereana Taki says, I don't hate white people. I challenge every single national myth (they've) erected in (their) own name at the expense of my people...

Humans have been deeply conditioned to fear their own Souls ... question their own Spiritual integrity supported and encouraged by the terrorism of Feudal occults in organised crime families they call 'religion'.

Look at the state of humans sucked into the Fairy Tales of Europe which romanticise the Terrorising Royals who have construed their robberies, rapes, violating transgressions of the human condition as 'progress' and 'civilisation' under the banner of Common Wealth an...d crudely disguised as Capitalist 'fair play' ... when it is their elite strata and design as exoterrestrial occults ... humans harvested in child hood to optimise the energy of innocence then transforming it into fear, debauchery, sadism and every form of depravity available to EAT THE SOULS OF HUMAN INNOCENCE.

Perhaps the 'Fairy Tales' of Europe need to be taken LITERALLY as the story of the ruling elites and not simply childhood 'myths' and supposedly outrageous 'stories'?

Who is benefitting from all of the generational suffering perpetrated upon humanity in the name of 'religion' ... material paradigms of 'riches' ... energy rape and pillage of the Divine Earth as if legitimate and ethical ... all of this FEAR is feeding the Predators and keeping the Fantasy Nightmare of alien rule over the Earth alive. - Mereana Taki (4.6.16)



Artist Hale Woodruff's Amistad Murals - The Revolt is the depiction of Sierra Leone's national hero Sengbe Pieh, known as Joseph Cinque in the West.

Well said, Mereana. My mother taught me the European stories on purpose to learn their ways from the inside out, as strategy and knowledge for tactical thinking. It was and is still important to take advantage of Colonial education because hidden amongst the dogma, the grief and terror, etc. are clues, the bread crumbs leading to our freedom of thought, mind and spirit. . ." - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories (4.6.16)

 

Question to our Closed Ears

“Our Grandmother will restore herself and all her children. The winds will be there, the mountains and the plains will be there, and the thunder spirits and the cleansing rain clouds. All our relatives will be there, the green things and the wingeds and the four-leggeds, those that swim in the seas and crawl through the soil, those that live in both water and air, those which inch along on their bellies, and those which hop or leap or jump or soar. Every living being that follows the instructions laid down by the Great Mystery will be there. Human beings are the only creatures not following those mandates, so the question is, will we be part of Grandmother Earth’s restoration?”

~ Russell Means from "Where White Men Fear to Tread" 



Dawn Wolf (seated) in ceremony at Shanelle Gayden's house with men assembled
 on purpose to learn & share manhood teachings. 3.20.16

The Lakota have a saying “only the rocks will last forever.” But, there is a thought that perhaps we are not meant to stay here forever. Perhaps we have exaggerated our existence, our worth? What is indisputable is the legacy of the whites to Mother Earth, and how we were forced to absorb and wear the cloth they wore that dishonored the Earth, our Mother and diminished the powers of restoration, our ways, and Medicines, and our relationship with Powers taught us in the long ago!

 

Now, in need of restoration can we open up to the Powers, and how will Closed Ears open to the questions directed at our existence upon the Earth, our Mother?

 

How we answer and respond is our prophecy. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories (4.6.16)

Big Hand, a (Sioux -Arikara) medicine man.

Big Hand, a (Sioux -Arikara) medicine man. Big Hand was known to have powers to fly into the air and to bilocate. Big Hand Lived to ripe old age well past 100 years,he had a son named Flying At Night who could also fly but would only do so at night. Big Hand could also see into the future and foretold an Iron Horse coming; he said it will run on an Iron road with many strange people upon it,today what we know as the train and railroad tracks. - Vine Deloria Jr. author  
 

Tribute to an Old Woman's Life

Yellow Eyes (Ishtazi), of the Lakota Nation, photo by Frank Fiske 1906.

 

 

Yellow Eyes was an informant for Chief Sitting Bull and was with him at the Battle of Little Big Horn. She and her family escaped with him to Canada and returned with him when he surrendered in 1881. She went on to Fort Peck with her son and husband and the other warriors. Information obtained from one of her descendants, Dorothy Eiken.

One summer Chief Sitting Bull had a Sun Dance for the people in which Yellow Eyes was present, it was a very harsh winter in Canada and the people were without food and on the verge of starvation. The spirits gave Chief Sitting Bull a sacred song that is still sung at Sun Dance to this day. It gave them courage, following the Sun Dance the Buffalo were plentiful even if it was for a short time. Without the Buffalo we would not have survived and without us they would not have survived, we are connected by blood and spirit. The Buffalo give us strength and courage in the hardest of times, the old Buffalo Nation Man said “we will live.”

Oceti Sakowin 

 

The Old Ways for a New Time on Earth!

a family deep in South American jungle

Ainu women in Japan, tattoos of giant-sized lips on their faces were customary.
Lip tattooing was seen as a mark of maturity and believed to repel evil spirits.



Inipi ceremony For the Oglala Lakota of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
that place is a site near Wounded Knee Creek, 16 miles northeast of the town of Pine Ridge.

 

Rules of our Ceremonies

Fire Prayer at Lakota Inipi ceremonial fire.

As we move toward the Winter months it is once again time to regroup from the past year and get ready for the new beginnings that come with the Spring. There are still Ceremonies being performed at this time because, the Ceremonies do not get put off for the Seasons. Many Inipi fires will be burning and many prayers will continue to rise. That being said, I would remind you all that if you are invited to Ceremony and are asked to pay to participate, Please, Walk Away!! I can...
not stress this enough. These things are done for the people, they are gifts to the people by Creator and therefore should never be sold!!

There is also Not a Collection Plate passed at the end of Ceremony either. If someone would like to give something for the person performing a Ceremony, quiet donations are acceptable. It does require travel, food, sometimes lodging (which actually these things should be supplied by person wanting Ceremony performed but many times the Intercessor takes it out of pocket) and the Medicines that may be required for some Ceremonies, sometimes they are not readily available and have to be purchased. Always bring tobacco, you will probably be told how many prayer ties to make and it's always good to have some loose tobacco on hand. Also, bring a covered dish or something to share after Ceremony as there is usually a pot latch afterwards, this is not required, just a matter of courtesy and adding your medicine to the Ceremony. By eating together and sharing we help to solidify Relations.

I hope this helps clarify for those that didn't know. Walk in Peace and stay safe this winter.

Mitakuye Oyasin

Thomas Seegraves

Lakota - Good Woman & Plenty Strike or Strikes Plenty in 1900 by Heyn & Matzen
source Library of Congress.

 

 

Peace is Possible

The prophecy of Tašúŋke Witkó

"Upon suffering beyond suffering: the Red Nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations. A world longing for light again. I see a time of Seven Generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the Sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again." -Crazy Horse (late 1800's)

Crazy Horse, Tašúŋke Witkó

Gianni Crow, (c.) a Native man walking in New York city

(Sept. 29, 2015) has something to say ...

The NDN in Manhattan

I had an experience not too long ago here in New York that I want to share with you my friends.
Most people do not understand our ways even if they say they do, we are not here to please anyone, we simply are just like everyone else and their cultures, we are home and we are not going anywhere just like the rest of our guests.

Someone asked me why not to cut may hair so I cou...ld fit in with society and I said; well there's a lot of other cultures that wears their hair long and you don't see anybody asking them to change their ways take off their hats or cut their hair, the person then said well they wear their hair like that because of their religion and at this point I was just going to turn around and leave but I smiled and said, why do you think I have long hair and she said, I don't know, maybe you like Indians, listen to rock or simply like to make a fashion statement. I laughed and I told her that my hair is just as sacred as the cross that the Pope wears around his neck.
 

Its 2015 there shouldn't be no more ignorance in this world
some people don't even know who the Native Americans are in this country and this people became "US CITIZENS"

Whenever you see somebody with culture please respect that individual, if you do not understand it do not make fun of him, we are not in kindergarten no more ask and maybe you can enrich your mind and spirit.
 

I say this with love kindness and respect.
 

Gianni Crow

September 29, 2015

 

the problem of looking back is the Truth.

A white woman, Linda Roeder, noted "I see a strong willed, wise, confident man and kindness in his eyes. Very much an attractive male." when she looked at Scorched Lightning's photograph dressed in his regalia with a Bear claw necklace and a stoic expression upon his face.

Nothing wrong with that. He is handsome.

Yeah, but imagine what he was pondering looking into the eyes of the white man fussing over his camera equipment and trying to make easy banter across enemy lines of thought and belief! What hostile feelings did he have to swallow as compromise? Whites don't, didn't compromise, and incapable of compromise in the late 1800's was this the face Scorched Lighting placed upon his face for a piece of his soul to be captured for posterity? We will never truly know, but our ancestors within and around us remembered to keep it in the songs and stories and the remnants of the Old Ways, and the ceremonies keeping us Indians to our People. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 9.28.15



Lakota man, Scorched Lightning late 1800's

 

How the Crow Came to be Black – Lakota / Brule

In days long past, when the earth and the people on it were still young, all crows were white as snow. In those ancient times the people had neither horses nor firearms nor weapons of iron. Yet they depended upon the buffalo hunt to give them enough food to survive. Hunting the big buffalo on foot with stone-tipped weapons was hard, uncertain, and dangerous. The crows made things even more difficult for the hunters, because they were friends of the buffalo. Soaring high above the prairie, they could see everything that was going on. Whenever they spied hunters approaching a buffalo herd, they flew to their friends and, perching between their horns, warned them: “Caw, caw, caw, cousins, hunters are coming. They are creeping up through that gully over there. They are coming up behind that hill. Watch out! Caw, caw, caw!” 

Hearing this, the buffalo would stampede, and the people starved. The people held a council to decide what to do. Now, among the crows was a huge one, twice as big as all the others. This crow was their leader. One wise old chief got up and made this suggestion: “We must capture the big white crow,” he said, “and teach him a lesson. It’s either that or go hungry. ”He brought out a large buffalo skin, with the head and horns still attached. He put it on the back of a young brave, saying: “Nephew, sneak among the buffalo. They will think you are one of them, and you can capture the big white crow.” 

Disguised as a buffalo, the young man crept among the herd as if he were grazing. The big, shaggy beasts paid him no attention. Then the hunters marched out from their camp after him, their bows at the ready. As they approached the herd, the crows came flying, as usual, warning the buffalo: “Caw, caw, caw, cousins, the hunters are coming to kill you. Watch out for their arrows. Caw, caw, caw!” and as usual, all the buffalo stampeded off and away - all, that is, except the young hunter in disguise under his shaggy skin, who pretended to go on grazing as before. Then the big white crow came gliding down, perched on the hunter’s shoulders, and flapping his wings, said: “Caw, caw, caw, brother, are you deaf? The hunters are close by, just over the hill. Save yourself!” 

But the young brave reached out from under the buffalo skin and grabbed the crow by the legs. With a rawhide string he tied the big bird’s feet and fastened the other end to a stone. No matter how the crow struggled, he could not escape. Again the people sat in council. 

“What shall we do with this big, bad crow, who has made us go hungry again and again?” “I’ll burn him up!” answered one angry hunter, and before anybody could stop him, he yanked the crow from the hands of his captor and thrust it into the council fire, string, stone and all. “This will teach you,” he said. Of course, the string that held the stone burned through almost at once, and the big crow managed to fly out of the fire. But he was badly singed, and some of his feathers were charred. Though he was still big, he was no longer white. 

“Caw, caw, caw,” he cried, flying away as quickly as he could, “I’ll never do it again; I’ll stop warning the buffalo, and so will the Crow nation. I promise! Caw, caw, caw.” Thus the crow escaped. But ever since, all crows have been black.

Told by Good White Buffalo at Winner, Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota, 1964.

Our Native Concern for our Collective Good!

Crow bate' known as Finds Them And Kills Them aka Jim 1928

Creek man circa 1868 

"It may be time, but do enough have the nerve to make that stand against all forms of evil, first within themselves, second around them and lastly on a global level?" - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 2.26.14




"This problem was created as "we" moved from being ruled by nature, to being ruled by laws/government. How do you go back?" - Shawn Oxley

 Now that's some bullshit! 

"We stand to learn a lot from the Native Americans. It's time we ask and listen to their wisdom." 

- Hollie Jones 2.22.14 

You are correct, Hollie Jones. But, there is a deep concern many of us Native folks have. Osama bin Laden in an pre-9/11 interview said, "The President does not have the heart to hear words..." 

You take out the word, President, replace it with white Americans, and reflect upon the collective consciousness of Europeans and Euro-Americans throughout their histories, and something very clear and evident arises to the surface. It is other relative's job to point these things out to our white relatives, but receiving the truths, the self-truths has not been the best attribute of our white brethren. Up until this day all ceremonial work, circles of reconciliation, and diplomacy stalls at the point the late Osama bin Laden pointed out. Americans didn't listen to him, or the ramblings and legitimate complaints and concerns Arabs had about their relationship with the United States, and the affect of Western civilization upon their world, and look what had to happen on September 11, 2001!

Listening, like prayer, is related to talk. Talk, reaction and intimidating action are the strong points of the Americans. Listening requires vulnerability, and vulnerability is a strength masked under the skirts, and a primal element of the breath of women. Vulnerability is etched into the fabric of women's makeup, but it is culturally loathed by American men and women. As one people we are not. As one people united and truthful to ourselves and each other we are not. We, as Americans, have more fear than anything else and our actions are reactions to the revelation of our truths, and our truths are dealt with through war! That alone disqualifies us from creating long lasting and peaceful solutions! - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 2.25.14

Crow & Hunkpapa dancers at Crow Agency, Montana 1886 

Elder's Wisdom

Elder's Meditation of the Day December 27

"When temptation comes, I don't say, `Yes," and I don't say, `No.' I say, `Later,' I just keep walking the Red Road - down the middle. When you're in the middle, you don't go to either extreme. You allow both sides to exist." -Dr. A. C. Ross (Ehanamani), LAKOTA


We need to practice controlling our focus. Whatever we focus on we become. We also become whatever we practice. We need to focus on balance. Whenever something comes along to tilt us off balance, we need to be grateful, because it allows the opportunity to practice our focus. Sometimes this is called temptation. Temptation in itself is not bad. What really counts is what we do with it when it happens. We need to practice controlling our focus and keeping our thinking focused on the Red Road.


Great Spirit, today, guide me through my temptations and allow me to focus on the Red Road.

Lakota Story

These are all old coffee tables! This is ingenious!

How People Learned to Fish – Lakota

Mahto was a very small bear when he came into this world. He was born in a cave deep within the earth and was not big enough to harm anybody. His mother called him Mahtociqala in the language of the people.

When his mother awoke from her long sleep, she took Small Bear out into the bright sunshine of spring."What are these creatures flying high above my head?" asked Small Bear. "Wambli," his mother replied in her low gruff voice. "It is from Eagle that we learn to live our life in dignity. " "Eagle’s eyes are keener than our own, so we always listen to warnings he sends from above."

Small Bear’s mother led him across the sweet-smelling meadow to the edge of a river where she would teach him to drink. He put his nose into the cold, clear water and took a taste. The shock of the rushing water made him instantly alert and watchful. Many years later, when he had grown into his warrior name, Mahto would remember his first drink. Whenever he needed clarity of thought or alertness for hunting, he would plunge himself into the river to prepare himself for the task.

Mahto remembered his early days with fondness, for his mother was a great teacher. She always protected him and gave him guidance for living the fullness of life.

She taught him how to hunt for grubs inside the rotting trunks of fallen fir trees. She taught him which flowers and grasses were sweetest, which roots would make him strong, and which berries would fill out his flesh for his first long winter’s sleep.

And she taught him how to catch the red fish as they came crashing up against him in the slippery river. Mahto’s mother showed him a special place between two craggy rocks where he could lodge himself.

"Wait quietly and with patience in this place," she said, "and the great red flashing, thrashing things will jump right into your mouth."

And so it was that the people learned to fish......by watching Mahto and his mother. From that time forth, Mahto and the people never went hungry, as long as he and his brothers could be seen fishing in the river. And the people sang praises and danced for the gift of Mahto and his Mother.

* Mahto ... (mah-TOH) ... Grizzly bear

* Mahtociqala ... (mah-TOH-CHEE-q-ah-lah) ... small bear

* Wambli ...(wahm-BLEE) ... wingflapper (eagle)

from the archives of Blue Panther

ZINTKALA OYATE

PETER V. CATCHES

Meets Lee Standing Bear MooreBy Takatoka

This is a story about the meeting of two men --- from different places but with one heart.  

Peter V. Catches,Jr. (Zintkala Oyate) is Keeper of the Spotted Eagle Way  of Lakota medicine, its oral history, sacred rites, and experiential teachings. Peter has conducted the Spotted Eagle Sun Dance at his home on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota for 28 consecutive years. He is the descendant of 37 generations of medicine men.  His family name, Catches-the-Enemy, was shortened a few generations ago.   

Lee Standing Bear began his acquaintance with Peter during a ride from the Houston Airport to the Rothko Chapel.  Their hostess and mutual friend, Ingeborg Hayes, also known by many as  She Who Brings Cultures Together, was driving.  Both Zintkala and Standing Bear know her as "Sunshine." She is International Administrative Coordinator at the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Peter Catches and Lee Standing Bear were asked to officiate sunrise services the next day during a Peace Vigil at the Rothko Center near downtown Houston.  Event organizers decided the ceremonies should be led by American Indians and this prompted Ingeborg to suggest Peter and Lee for this honor.


The drive to the Center took nearly an hour.  Sunshine and Peter sat in the front seat as Bear sat in the back.  They all chatted about the reservation, Manataka, Houston, the upcoming event and a dozen other topics, but the back of Peter's head caught Bear's eye.  His attention was drawn away from the conversation several times as Bear stared at the beautiful spotted eagle feather hanging from Peter's long black hair.   


Bear was mesmerized and could not help but sneak a quick touch.  Then another and another.  Careful not to be seen, Bear stole one more brush along the edge of the magnificent specimen.  Bear was nearly caught when Peter moved his head with a quick jerk.   Somehow the situation struck Bear funny, so he gave the feather a sharp little tug pulling his hair.   Again, Peter moved his head but said nothing.  This was fun for Bear!     


Throughout the trip, the beautiful feather mysteriously moved from place to place on Peter's back as he absent-mindedly shook his head or brushed away little spirits.   This is the way the two men began their weekend visit.


The Rothko Chapel is an internationally known, non-denominational peace, worship and meditation center.  Dignitaries such as President Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, His Holiness Dali Lama, and ambassadors of many nations have participated in ceremonies and events at the Rothko.  In 1966, the site was consecrated by the Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox Catholic, and Protestant religions.    According to its brochure, the Rothko is a Tree with many branches with "...mysterious beauty…" and "...hospitable shade to everyone". 


Sunshine escorted Bear inside the large chapel while Peter rested in the shade to get off a bad foot.  He was wise to check things out before going inside. The building is an octagonal cement edifice with large all-black paintings covering most of the gray cement walls inside - "better to meditate by" they said.  The subdued lighting and air conditioned coolness made the walls sweat slightly.  Rows of small unadorned concrete benches stretch across the bare floor.     


Bear's throat was full of ooohs, mmms, and ugghs throughout the tour.  He could not wait to get outside to the yellow sunshine, blue skies, green trees and brown earth.  Once outside Bear said to himself, "That place gives me the willies.  Gray cement and black to meditate?  White would have been better."  Deeepressssing.


In a few minutes, volunteers began to gather to discuss plans for the event set to take place at 6:00 a.m., Saturday.  Peter and Bear sat around a make-believe Fire Circle to relax.   Between swatting mosquitoes and shaking hands with visitors, Pete whispered to Bear,  "You know that place gives me the willies."  "Me too!", Bear growled softly.   Then both men had fun as they proceeded to mentally and sometimes verbally to take the building apart to allow Mother Earth to see what is inside.   
Their first meal was a light lunch at a fancy deli near downtown.  It was made more enjoyable with good conversation.  Sunshine pointed out the namesake of the Center was a wealthy artist, Rothko, who committed suicide before the building was completed.  Peter and Bear retired to the sidewalk patio to smoke and talk while the others discussed the upcoming event.   The two men talked about working with people in South Dakota, Lakota and Kituwah ceremonies, the birds, Manataka, water, and Pete's book.  


"Sacred Fireplace" (Oceti Wakan) was written by Peter and his late father, Pete Catches Sr. (Petaga Yuha Mani - He Who Walks with Hot Coals) who is credited with reviving the traditional Sundance ceremony among the Lakota.  In 1964 Pete Catches Sr. was named Sundance chief by the Oglala Sioux tribal council, the only such distinction in tribal history.


Following the first meal, Sunshine became a magician and made  bountiful amounts of food appear of out thin air that kept Peter and Bear full and sleepy throughout the weekend.   Both men look like they enjoy eating.  In the evening a group gathered at the Olive Garden Restaurant.  It was during these pleasant interludes that the two Indians really began to know each other.   After meals, they sat around a table and told stories, sang to the drum and allowed little glimpses of their hearts to be revealed. 
Ceremonies the next morning went fairly well.   Prayers were given in the Circle by a Buddhist monk, a Muslim teacher, a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi, a Baptist minister and a host of others.  Peter performed the sacred Pipe ceremony and Bear told the story of Manataka.  The event was a beautiful affair and the circle of friends joined there brought many blessings and good spirits to the occasion.   The crowd was small and they had to stand or sit on the concrete for nearly three hours.  That's dedication to the idea of peace!


Bear later recalled the beautiful faces of the people gathered there. Wearing many different colors they stood and prayed, holding hands in the sacred Circle. Their countenance was sweet and airy as a field of wildflowers. Their prayers were real, honest and powerful. This was a event to remember. Too bad we do not do this on a daily basis wherever we are.


It was hot by 8:30 and the mosquitoes began to pester Peter again.  Bear knew Pete was wondering why the little buggers did not bite Bear.


They ate, slept, drummed, told stories, ate and lounged around the rest of the afternoon until evening when it was time to go eat again at an exciting seafood place on the bay.   As Sunshine drove into the parking lot, Peter caught site of a brightly lit Ferris wheel and insisted everyone go for a ride.  "I want to say I did something while in Houston…," he said.  Sunshine, Peter and Bear climbed aboard and swung at the top under bright stars while looking out over the black ocean water.   "That was fun," Bear said.   


That night, the two men sat alone outside under the stars in Sunshine's backyard and spoke of creation and the blessings they had received.  Peter did not really sit still though.  Slapping mosquitoes and itching broke the silence between words.  Finally, in the darkness Bear said, "Ya know, I brought them…"   Peter's head quickly jerked in Bear's direction and a glint came to his eye.    He smiled... and swatted another one.    


"When you journey to Manataka honored brother, well will show you mosquitoes ten times bigger than these little squirts," Bear said.   "Uggggh," Peter grumbled.    Their talk wandered over a dozen subjects in search of the unknown.  Indians are curious folks you know. 
The next morning Peter and Bear enjoyed a large breakfast and guests.  Afterwards, they sat speaking quietly.  Peter shared more about his path and Bear spoke of the deep mysteries and read a poem and prophecy about Manataka.     


When it came time to depart at the airport, Peter looked at Bear's big black hat with seven feathers and said,  "That one sure is nice, what is it?"


"Aha, it comes from the wilds of Central America," Bear said plucking the blue, orange, yellow and green feather from the hat and holding it in his hand. "It came to me by way of a Mayan priestess and wonderful lady who knows some secrets of the Manataka Stone," explained Bear. 


The Guacamaya feather is given to a person who speaks with spirit in their heart. It is the most sacred feather of the Aztec and Maya and the bird is nearly extinct. The Guacamaya bird is huge and aggressive when approached, but if the bird is respectfully asked for a feather, she will remove a feather and fly away leaving her present.


"The Guacamaya has rainbow colors to remind you of Manataka. When it speaks, it repeats what the spirit is saying. This feather is now yours in remembrance of our meeting, the honor and respect I felt in your presence and the blessings you will bring to Manataka in years to come," Bear said tearfully.


A week later Bear mailed Peter a quick thank you note with two very large mosquitoes hawks taped to a note saying, "Baby Arkansas Mosquitoes"  Two weeks later a package arrived from Peter.  Inside was a beautiful, perfectly formed Spotted Eagle Feather used in the Oglala Lakota Sundance for 7 years.  Bear proudly slid the new feather into the brim of his big black hat - a new friend had been won.  Today, that eagle feather rests enclosed in red cloth in a honored position on Bear's gifting table.  Mitakuye Oyasin! 


Some might say the Bear disrespected Peter as he pulled on his hair and joked with him about mosquitoes.  Bear recognizes the awesome privilege of meeting Catches-the-Enemy and will forever remember the quite words they spoke.  Besides, Zintkala Oyate knows a few jokes too.  

---

Peter shares the wisdom of generations and his open heart to anyone who can read.  If you are interested in learning about the special ceremonies and paths of the Spotted Eagle way, click below to order this inexpensive book, "Sacred Fireplace".  Every morning I read a passage or two to start the day.  -- Bear    SACRED FIREPLACE  

SLEEP & DREAM

Dream catcher – Lakota

Long ago when the world was young, an old Lakota spiritual leader was on a high mountain and had a vision. In his vision, Iktomi, the great trickster and searcher of wisdom, appeared in the form of a spider. Iktomi spoke to him in a sacred language. As he spoke, Iktomi the spider picked up the elder's willow hoop which had feathers, horsehair, beads and offerings on it, and began to spin a web. He spoke to the elder about the cycles of life, how we begin our lives as infants, move on through childhood and on to adulthood. Finally we go to old age where we must be taken care of as infants, completing the cycle. 

"But", Iktomi said as he continued to spin his web, "in each time of life there are many forces, some good and some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction. But, if you listen to the bad forces, they'll steer you in the wrong direction and may hurt you. So these forces can help, or can interfere with the harmony of Nature. While the spider spoke, he continued to weave his web. 

When Iktomi finished speaking, he gave the elder the web and said, "The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the center. Use the web to help your people reach their goals, making good use of their ideas, dreams and visions. If you believe in the great spirit, the web will catch your good ideas and the bad ones will go through the hole." 

The elder passed on his vision onto the people and now many Indian people have a dream catcher above their bed to sift their dreams and visions. The good is captured in the web of life and carried with the people, but the evil in their dreams drops through the hole in the web and are no longer a part of their lives. It is said the dream catcher holds the destiny of the future. 

from archives of BLUE PANTHER

Gently shared. . .

Vietnamese model Jenny Lai by Cương Zép

BEING A WOMAN

“Just being a woman is God's gift. The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. She shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman.” By Jenny Lai, Vietnamese model


BEING A MAN

"It is well to be good to women in the strength of our manhood because we must sit under their hands at both ends of our lives."  - He Dog, OGLALA LAKOTA

It is one thing to expect change. It is another to make things happen, and still another to sit around and wait for someone to work on your behalf. – Gregory E. Woods, African, Creek & Crow

YET TO Discover

"The spirit still has something for us to discover: an herb, a sprig, a flower-a very small flower; maybe you can spend a long time in its contemplation, thinking about it." ~Lame Deer, LAKOTA

photographer
Erica Simone in New York city streets

HELP

WHITE PEOPLE & THE LAKOTA PEOPLE

The Lakota were brave sharing their rituals, and traditions with tribes who had lost their way, and lost their traditions because of the white man's pen, his gun, and the missionaries. Lakota people have been studied, measured, and quoted more than any other nation, but remain invisible. How? How could that be?

About 10% of the nation practices their traditions; I was told when I last visited Pine Ridge. 10%, and violent LA gangs are doing business on the rez. The poverty is staggering, and every winter is guaranteed freezing cold weather with limited food and fuel to sustain people through the season. Suicides and rapes are up, and just outside of the reservation is a liquor store legally selling alcohol to Lakota men and women. The land is beautiful, breathtaking and full of the glory days, and the old battles, but the People suffer deeply, and are poor; the poorest in the nation I am told every year.

People need their healing. The Red prophecies are true. The grandchildren of those who killed us have come to our lodges, and ceremonies for healing, but practical spirituality is in the building of sustainable economies also. – Gregory E. Woods (Alowan Chanteh Inyan Wichasha) 11.13.12

mysterious aspect of an Indian woman robed in snow
by Madeline Bernadette Scott

GOOD DAY TO DIE? Really?

"It was Sitting Bull's words made in the midst of a battle going against him and his men. He said, "Today is a good day to die for all the things of my life are here."

Those words come from another worldview, not the Western one used to misrepresent the spirit of a People." - Gregory E. Woods

BLESS & RESPECT EARTH, our Mother

Sioux Indian chief calls all nations to action on June 21, 2012
By Juliane Poirier


The leader of the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate, the great Sioux nation, is a man with a vision. Chief Arvol Looking Horse sees a great danger threatening "Grandmother Earth" and a great hope for restoring her wholeness. So he is calling all nations to prayer of any kind on June 21 in an effort to return the planet to bala

nce, the people to spirit. I asked him why this path is the right path to take.

"A man or a woman without spirit is very dangerous," Looking Horse explained in a recent phone interview. According to this Sioux chief, the absence of spirit is causing suffering everywhere. "We are in a time of survival," he said. "But we don't want to believe it because we have forgotten our spirits. We have forgotten that Grandmother Earth has a spirit." Disconnected souls, according to Looking Horse, are "hurting others without even knowing they are hurting others." Those being hurt include animals, trees and waterways.

The Sioux have an inclusive worldview, but it was not shared by the transplanted Europeans who undertook genocide on Indian land, culminating in the Wounded Knee massacre of 1890. That final brutality broke the "hoop" binding Indians together; however, Sioux prophecy foretold that in a hundred years the people would be reunited.

Although surviving tribe members and their descendants were stripped of religious freedoms (returned to them only 32 year ago by the U.S. government), the rituals were kept and the prophecy not forgotten. So the Sioux nations set out on horseback to "mend the broken hoop" of their nation in 1986 at a sacred site known to non-Indians (and Close Encounters of the Third Kind fans) as Devils Tower or the Great Horn Butte; their ritual went on for four years and concluded in 1990, 100 years after Wounded Knee.

During the course of that long ritual, Looking Horse was surprised by a vision that came to him of peace and unity that included not only the Indian nations but all the nations of the world, each gathering with ritual plants around sacred fires on every continent. The Sioux chief felt called to oversee a much broader mending. But who was going to listen even to the chief of a people largely ignored in the country where they lived?

"We had to leave our homeland to be a voice in the world," said Looking Horse. "We are up against a lot of violence and anger and hatred. We need to go back to our sacred places and pray about this. In every generation, there are changes. But our way of life, our ceremonies, our prayers don't change. Our sacred sites don't change.

"When the first non-Indian came to this land, our people said, 'What shall we call this man?' and they called him Wasicu," he continued. "It means 'takes fat,' which we know today means the white brothers are taking fat off Mother Earth. Long ago, when the first nations lived on Turtle Island, through our prayers and ceremonies, we maintained harmony and peace, a way of life where there's no ending, no beginning.

"It's everyday life for us that we hold Grandmother Earth sacred, we hold the trees and the plants, everything has a spirit. We need people to be really respectful for each other. The Great Spirit put us here all together. If we're going to survive, we need to have spirit and compassion. On June 21 we're asking people to go to their sacred places or sacred spaces to pray."

Looking Horse seems surprised to be a global spokesperson for the environment. "It seems like it was just yesterday when a woman had no voice in this country, when our people were fighting for their rights," he said. "Just a hundred years ago, our people were in concentration camps called reservations. Our ceremonies were outlawed, and we were put in boarding schools. I never thought I would have the opportunity to go to the White House. Now today, people all over the world are listening to us."

And here's the message. "On June 21," said Looking Horse, "shut off the electricity and let's pray."