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Thank you for that, Buffalowm. I’m going to think on what you have said alot and derive comfort from it. I’ve thought the same thing. I know I married the man who was the most Indian I could find. That is what I was attracted to. When you have a fraction coming in in 4 directions it adds up. I’m only beginning to seriously think how all the wonderful ways my father’s family were so much different than people where I live now in the city, may be a culture passed down. I always wondered that and it seems to be proving true. The instructor giving the Omaha Class I took was an Anthropologist. He kept wanting us to find characteristics about the Omaha that were different. It was hard for me. I kept saying how alike it was to the way I grew up in the country with large extended family in all directions. I do believe in cellular memory, akin to animals instincts. I think it is within us to know what to do. It’s coming together.
Yes, just in general always to legislate and dictate you were white or black and not Indian let them justify stealing the land and destroying cultures.
techteach wrote: Next Friday, I am leaving for Pine Ridge reservation, to spend a week there learning of the culture and helping to build beds and clean homes as I learn.
Techteach
Yamani waste. Have a good trip.
We may may not be card carrying and we’re all extreme mixed-bloods but consider this. It is known that nazi germany patterned their internment camps after the reservation system. Whether its a reservation or section 8 housing, it is all a form of control that has been long established by the government wasicu’s. We don’t need a card to tell us who we are, just as those kept in camps didn’t need little yellow stars sewed on their clothing to know their identity. That which is inside us will continue to awaken us and draw all of us together.
So long as we have breath, we will continue to search and reconnect with our nations.
Hi Daniel,
I have long said that Indian Reservations are the world’s longest running concentration camps.
Also, I must say that I’m not against having land for native groups but if they are truly sovereign, then they must be totally independant – no BIA.
They would have there own government and they’re own laws of return, etc.
But, today as I see it, they are concentration camps.
Natives did not have blood quantums prior to the invasion, but for reasons of funding it exists.
I may have dreamed this, as I have no sources for this. But it seems I heard it said sometime, somewhere that the reason the US government exerts control over Pine Ridge through the BIA and the FBI and will never give it up is because there are uranium deposits there, not to mention the Black Hills gold situation. Perhaps some agreement for mineral rights with complete sovereignty in all else could be negotiated? What about payment to the people for the valuable minerals on their land? It goes on and on.
Developing complete independence when your people have been repeatedly systematically crushed has obstacles unimaginable to those who have not experienced it especially in that geographical location. Many generations are deeply locked in poverty and alcoholism. Transportation is a major problem. There is a point of being so down that the only way up is with help from your fellow humans.
The main problem on Pine Ridge is poverty. If you wish to help, go to http://www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org/ and donate. They also maintain a yahoosgroup for organizations soliciting donations. Or find some other organization that feeds the children. I spoke with people who became wonderful friends while I was out there. They described children in the outlying parts of the Rez whose mothers try to balance ever-diminishing government checks, food stamps, and handouts to feed their children each month. By the end of the month, the children go to bed hungry. And there are no jobs there to even apply for.
Techteach
Thank you so much techtech. When I first found Saponitown I saw that the Siouian Tribes have been scattered around North America in a circle. What if the Traditional members of the tribes forced to reservations, but perserved their religion and language helped the eastern tribes, forced to intersperse, losing their language and some culture, but well versed in survival among American culture….what if they could get together and all become whole again… perhaps a way to mend the sacred hoop in this 7th generation.
Please have a look at this multi-page report that took a whole section of the newspaper:
Whiteclay: Standing at the Crossroads
Sunday, May 15, 2005 – 12:03:12 am CDT
In this place, two roads meet. Where they cross, it is holy. The black road winds north from Whiteclay, Neb., to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The red road winds west from Wounded Knee, where more than 300 Native men, women and children were massacred in 1890.
Which way will the path of the Seventh Generation of Lakota lead?
http://www.journalstar.com/special_reports/whiteclay/
[This isn’t what I’d hoped. It lacks the many pictures that were in the hard copy]
While I’m not sure of the accuracy here is a link regarding the Wounded Knee Massacre:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Massacre
White Clay, Nebraska is made up of 3 taverns and a few other sundry shacks. These 3 taverns sell 4 million cans of beer to the Indians every year, making millionaires of the owners and desperate, poor people even more destitute.
Here are a few pix I took. We built beds for children and fixed the home of an elder while we were there. And here is a link to a video on the original Wounded Knee incident http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc7fZonjD1M.
Techteach
You are welcome. I fixed the Wounded Knee headstone picture, so you can see it. Here’s another couple. The first is the view across from the restaurant owned by Black Elk’s great granddaughter, just so you can see that all is not negative out there. That is why I added the picture of the girl in her bed that we built too in the previous posting. And here is the restaurant owner’s dog with me “not petting” the dog. We were instructed not to play with the dogs, so I am not playing with him.
Techteach
Techteach and all,
Thanks for your thread! I have just moved to Hot Springs South Dakota to be near my Lakota family . Pine Ridge and White Clay are close. Techteach do you plan to come again? If any of you are in the area i would love to spend time with you and share experiences and contacts. Most of my time prior to my move has been spent at Wanblee off and on for the last 15 years.
Many of the family i pray and live with help others as much as they can. We take wood and food once or twice a month as money comes in to help. There are some so destitute you would think we are in another country altogether. We are not associated with any group, government or agency…. just family helping each other. For example we can get a pickup load of food for $44 from the food bank and take it to those that dont have cars and are too remote. You would be supprised how many do not have cars or the ones they have are broken down. We make sure several families have some sort of Christmas (not hand me downs) but mostly it is the basics.
This is a traditional family and we follow the old ways. We work quietly and share with all people. There is a web site: http://www.hochokahealing.org to get more information or donate. Because this forum has also become part om my extended family also i feel it is ok to share the contact information. Moderator if i am wrong in doing this please edit if need be. It is just that i feel so fortunate to be connected to a family that follows the real traditions and helps people i have at last let you all know about it. As many of you know i am like most on this forum “mixed blood” and i know so few traditionals that welcome all races much less mixed bloods. The main point is to let all of you know more about me and what i am about and a true uncomplicated way to help people over here without any adm. overhead going out the window. Also the invitation to come for a visit when and if any of you are in the area. There are so many true hearts that are seeking here and i wnat to know you better. Thanks
Janette
Janette,
In what state is your 501 Non-Profit registered?
Do you have reports on the finances availabe to be viewed?
What is the reaction by the elder spiritural leaders on Pine Ridge to your project around the country?
And, what percentage of the money you collect goes to meet the material needs of Pine Ridge citizens?
Dianne
Another question would be, are you charging to teach or perform these ceremonies to non-Lakota people? :confused:
Hi Dianne and all,
I will do the best to answer your questions although i am not a spokes person to do so. That would be Paula Rooks and you can reach her via the web site. I will answer for now and you can make contact directly if you wish.
What state is the 501 – C3 resistered?
I believe in Georga: When my elders sons were pre teens he knew it was time for them to grow up in a different environment so the travels and teaching started. His vision and part of the travels was required by his guidance so the old ways would not be lost. So few up here were serious about this way and he was told to find those of all races with good harts.
I was around when the first discussions of forming a non-profit came and participated in discussions but the actual filing took place shortly after that and think the first filing is Georgia. There may be state records for each lodge. I will check.
All Non profits are open for inspection and think irs filings can be accessed through the foundation library systems through out the nation. I will ask if there is another way to find out. I suspect that no more than 15 to 20 thousand has ever been dontated in one year maybe less. Most of the gifts donated come from the ones that pray, dance or in some way participate in the family traditional ceremonies.
You have to understand although the elders have traveled and taught some it is still very small.
Each location on the map represents a family that has a lodge and no more than 10 to 12 people come for prayer/lodge once a month or so.
Our sundance for example had 11 dancers last year and under 20 people on the outside. It is tiny compared to most people that do this. It is not very public at all. We all pay our on way,plus give to the singers, give away, food etc. Because there are so few we sometimes go in the hole but it always happends anyway.
For Christmas this year we only had $600 but we streached it and it went far to several families. One family had 13 children and they all received new coats, food and at least 2 new toys.
About the reaction of other spiritual leaders: That is again a question that may not apply a lot to this situation. The family and linage of teaching is highly respected. Many years ago I had gone to the Sundance where the sacred pipe is kept.(5,000 people) I ended up in moon camp and a talking circle. The women were sharing about various teachers, thoughts and experiences with each. Several talked about the strength of my elders and the linage coming from a very powerful source.(The Creator) I said nothing as in this family there is no discussion of what you do or how strong you are or braging about the linage. There are not titles, only comman man that opens the door. There is always pro and con on this topic from individuals. You can hear anything but if you know in your hart what truth is then you trust that.
The reason i said it may not apply, very few people know any of us or that we do these things. Again it is a personal family thing. And i may catch some words for posting this but i was touched and know we can do more it more people know about our work. The need is so great. Also the hunger of so many on this fourm to have connections to those of us that follow the old ways wrenched me today….. so i posted the web-site. Normaly people only learn about the web site person to person. So be it. My hope is that it will serve a good service all around.
Janette
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