Looking Horse Proclamation on the Protection of Ceremonies
Source: Indian Country Today, April 25, 2003
Posted: April 25, 2003 - 10:17am EST
by: Arvol Looking Horse / Guest columnist
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White
Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to thank all the People that attended this
historic Protection of Ceremonies meeting.
* Bernard Red Cherries Northern Cheyenne Nation Northern Cheyenne Arrow
Priest and Elk Society Headsman
* Tweety Little Bird Northern Cheyenne Nation Northern Cheyenne Elk Horn
Scraper Society
* Lee Pedro Southern Arapahoe Nation Southern Arapahoe Rabbit Man (Holy
Man)
* Dave Chief Ogallala Nation Lakota Spiritual Leader
* Dave Swallow Ogallala Nation Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Kevin Horse Looking Ogallala Nation Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Floyd Hand Ogallala Nation Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Silo Black Crow Ogallala Nation Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Sam Moves Camp Ogallala Nation Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Chris Leith Prairie Island Dakota Community Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Gaylen Drapeau Sr. I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Gaylen Drapeau Jr. I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Ambrose Little Ghost Spirit Lake Dakota Nation Dakota Spiritual Leader
* Calvin Medicine Bear First Assinoboine Nakota Nation Nation Spiritual
Leader
* Leonard Crow Dog Si-c an-g u Rosebud Sioux Nation Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Roy Stone Sr. Si-c an-g u Rosebud Sioux Nation - Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Ned Medcalf Si-c an-g u Rosebud Sioux Nation Interpretor/advisor
* Leon Red Dog Hoh -wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation - Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Steve Vance Hoh -wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Francis Yellow Hoh -wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation Medicine Bundle
Keeper
* Jacob Sanderson Cree Nation Canada Medicine Bundle Keeper
* Kevin Ta-c an Sioux Valley Manitoba Dakota Nation Dakota Spiritual
Leader
O n March 8th and 9th, Spiritual Leaders and Bundle Keepers of the Lakota,
Dakota, Nakota Nation, Cheyenne Nation and Arapahoe Nation were called
together to discuss the protection from the abuse and exploitation of our
ceremonies. The meeting was held at the Cultural Center in Eagle Butte,
South Dakota, hosted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. I would also like
to acknowledge the financial donation from the Prairie Island Dakota
Community.
Discussions in the meeting included the molestation taking place in
ceremony, indecent mockery, mixing of new age beliefs, charging for
ceremonies and death, which was never heard of before in our ancient
ceremonial history. There was also discussion of the use of other medicines
(drugs) in and around our ceremonies. When the White Buffalo Calf Woman
brought the Sacred Bundle, she instructed that only those with a pure mind
and heart should touch the C anupa. The ceremonies in question, in
reference to all the Plains Tribes, were the I-ni-pi (Purification
Ceremony), Wi-wanyang-wa-c i-pi (Sundance Ceremony) and Han-ble-c i-ya
(vision quest) Sacred Rites.
We put out notice in the newspapers, native radio stations and also
contacted people through the phone. I offered prayers for the safe journey
of the People to this very important historic meeting. Those that could not
attend, I acknowledge their prayers for a good outcome for our concerns.
After long discussion and testimonies of the concerns and issues, it was
decided that it would be up to me, as the Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo
Calf Pipe to make a decision. It was good to feel the beginning of a Unity
amongst our People. This has been my concern for many decades, especially
now, when we are facing an oncoming war. We need to stand strong with our
ceremonies!
I will state what the decision is and also explain the reasons. I will
state the protocols to our Seven Sacred Rites, which were passed down to me
when I became the next Keeper at the age of 12 years old. These protocols
are traditional knowledge passed down through our oral history and need to
be brought back to strengthen our Ho-c o-ka (our sacred alters) once again.
I will also address the areas that I cannot be involved in. My
responsibility is the Seven Sacred Rites.
It was decided, from March 9th, 2003 and forward, there will be no
non-Natives allowed in our sacred Ho-c o-ka (our sacred alters) where it
involves our Seven Sacred Rites. The only protection with this decision in
Government law; is that only enrolled members can carry an eagle feather.
In all the Seven Sacred Rites, there has always been the understanding of
earning and a requirement of an eagle feather while participating in these
Rites. The eagle feather stands for Indigenous knowledge and guidance in
our spiritual ways
* The Wi-wanyang-wa-c i-pi (Sundance Ceremony): The only participants
allowed in the center will be Native People. The non-Native people need to
understand and respect our decision. If there have been any unfinished
commitments to the Sundance and non-Natives have concern for this decision;
they must understand that we have been guided through prayer to reach this
resolution. Our purpose for the Sundance is for the survival of the future
generations to come, first and foremost. If the non-Natives truly
understand this purpose, they will also understand this decision and know
that by their departure from this Ho-c o-ka (our sacred alter) is their
sincere contribution to the survival of our future generations.
* Please understand the Wi-wanyang-wa-c i-pi Ceremony is not only taking
place in the center (Ho-c o-ka) with the dancers. The ceremonial
participation also depends on all the supporters on the outside of the arbor
who should be in prayer. From the gate, to the cook shack, to the
fire-keepers, to the supporters around the arbor, to even the moon camp, all
people are still a part of this sacred ceremony.
* There should be a preparation of Han-ble-c i-ya (vision quest) before
you become a participant of the Sundance.
* We shall go back into this ceremony with the proper protocols before
and during
the ceremony itself. Only those that have had the dream or direction
through a ceremony, in concern of someone s health, should be dancing. Dancers
should be secluded from outside participants, as to not be contaminated by other
peoples energy or thoughts. There should be absolutely no food or water
during this four-day ceremony. If there are health problems, you should choose a
person to finish your commitment. This ceremony is supposed to be for those
that believe they can fulfill all required four days of the ceremony.
* Han-ble-c i-ya (Vision Quest): The vision quest should be only for
Native People that have had the dream or vision. This Rite is also for the
young men and women that reach the age of 12 years of age.
* I-ni-pi (Purification Ceremony): Those that run this sacred rite
should be able to communicate with Tun-ca-s i-la (our Sacred Grandfathers)
in their Native Plains tongue. They should also have earned this rite by
completing Han-ble-c i-ya and the four days and four years of the Wi-wanyang
wa-c i-pi.
* The other four sacred rites of the Hun-ka ka-g a (Making of a
Relative), the Ta-pa kah -g o-ya (Throwing of the Sacred Ball), Wi-yan
is -na ti (Womanhood Ceremony) and the Na-g i glu-ha (Keeping of the Spirit
Ceremony), should be only handled by legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate
(People).
� It was also decided only legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate
Medicine Bundle Keepers should handle any other ceremonies that are
connected to our Ho-co-ka, such as the Lo-wa-pi and U-wi-pi ceremonies.
� There should be no price tag allowed to participate in any of our
Sacred Ceremonies. The only protocol needed for a ceremony is to o-pa-g i,
meaning to offer your C anupa or offer tobacco that has been prayed with, in
which the Medicine Person accepts or not accept if he is not able to assist.
Medicine People do need to survive, and if people wish to give a monetary or
any other gifts after they receive their help from ceremony, giving it from
their hearts, I see no problem with that. We have to have faith that the
Grandfathers will provide for our needs to survive in this modern society;
whether the gift is money, blankets, food or anything that represents how
much they appreciate the help. Some people can afford big gifts, some
people cannot. It all balances out.
� My position is only for the Seven Sacred Rites. I cannot dictate
to our Medicine People who they allow to attend and support these Rites, in
reference to non-Native People. I cannot dictate who they choose to doctor
in their ceremonies. I cannot dictate where they travel to doctor.
� I have my own personal feelings on who should be Keepers of our
Sacred C anupa (Pipe). The C anupa is very sacred and the Keeper should
first be given a dream and be of Native decent. This issue should be
further discussed in our future meetings. The reason for my feelings is
that I am aware the C anupa has gone out to the International community and
has been for sale. I know that most non-Native People do not understand the
important protocols or have had the Traditional background to carry this
sacred item properly. I am aware of women in their moon and men with blood
on their hands (to take ones life intentionally) have been allowed to touch
and carry the C anupa. These serious situations were never to be allowed.
I offer thanks to the non-Native People that have returned the C anupa to
our People, after I privately shared my concerns with them. I acknowledge
their true sincerity in assisting our Nation to protect the survival of our
Traditional way of life on behalf of our future generations. They have
helped us bring back honor and respect to our sacred Ho-co-ka and C anupa.
� There was also discussion of only the Plains Tribal members to
participate in the Ho-co-ka of the Wi-wanyang wa-c i-pi and the Han-ble c
i-ya Ceremonies. In the early 70 s, Chief Fools Crow and my father Stanley
Looking Horse decided to allow other Native Nations to participate in these
Rites. Their reasons were based on the fact that most Nations have lost
their ways through assimilation or lack of Teachers to teach their
Indigenous ways. They honored and understood the unity of the First Nations
People when different Tribes came to the aid of the Wounded Knee Occupation.
I cannot undo their decision out of respect for our Chief and Elder. It has
also been in our history that our Ancestors have respectfully shared our
ceremonies with other Indigenous Nations.
� The original teachings were that the Pipe Carrier should make their
own C anupa. There was an understanding of the sincere spiritual energy and
the traditional values passed down through our bloodlines. All the values of
compassion, love, honor, respect and truth are molded into the spiritual
life they are creating. I hope that one day the future generations will
again pick up this important protocol.
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I would like to invite all our Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations to the next
ceremony when I bring out the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Bundle. The dates
in the fall will be announced. During this time we will place the 12
honorable compassionate men to assist in taking care of the concerns of the
Sacred C anupa. We will also discuss the protocols of the need to have a
good mind and good heart to be a member of the Societies that will carry out
these decisions in a respectful manner.
There will be another Protection of Ceremonies meeting to further discuss
and address these serious issues in the future. This meeting will be
sponsored by the Cheyenne Nation.
OOnce again, I thank all those that have offered prayers for these very
serious issues to be discussed and handled in a good way.
In the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
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