We find that the blogging still going on tying the sweat lodge deaths to the anger around cultural appropriation issues inappropriate and heartless. No participant deserved this to happen.
We know that lodges are safe when facilitated by individuals who know the cultural, spiritual and safety practices of the purification ceremony. Lodges facilitated by non First-Nations people are also beneficial, when conducted with cultural-spiritual integrity and strict adherence to safety protocol. Spirit is not limited by our cultural-racial identities and is not mono-lingual. A friend of mine has an ancestor that speaks Twee. I understand and can interpret only when I listen with my higer emotions.
Read more…
“Our First Nations People have to earn the right to pour the mini wic¹oni
(water of life) upon the inyan oyate (the stone people) in creating Inikag¹a
- by going on the vision quest for four years and four years Sundance. Then
you are put through a ceremony to be painted – to recognize that you have
now earned that right to take care of someone¹s life through purification.
They should also be able to understand our sacred language, to be able to
understand the messages from the Grandfathers, because they are ancient,
they are our spirit ancestors. They walk and teach the values of our
culture; in being humble, wise, caring and compassionate.”Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred Pipe Bundle
http://blogs.rapidcityjournal.com/indigenous_pov/?p=51
A News Video Account of when things go horribly wrong: http://www.azcentral.com/video/
#/Blind+faith+and+abuse+of+power/45857042001
We send our condolences to the family and friends of the individuals that died in the Sedona, AZ sweat lodge tragedy. We know that lodges are safe when facilitated by individuals who know the cultural, spiritual and safety practices of the purification ceremony. We pray that all peoples receive healing through this loss and support thorugh this time of crisis..
