I found this a couple of days ago in the Indian Affairs echo of Fidonet, and
thought that some may be interested in it. If you would like to contact John
Burrows from Internet use John.Burrows@f777.n352.z1.fidonet.org.
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BBS: CONNECTIONS BBS
Date: 01-14-92 (17:42) Number: 117
From: NativeNet@gnosys.svle.ma.us
>From: JOHN BURROWS Refer#: NONE
To: ALL Recvd: NO
Subj: Plastic Medicine Men Conf: (10) Indian_Aff
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AIM Resolution
Sovereign Dine Nation
Window Rock, AZ
May 11, 1984
WHEREAS the Spiritual wisdom which is shared by the Elders
with the people has been passed to us through the Creation from
time immemorial; and
WHEREAS the Spirituality of Indian Nations is inseparable
from the people themselves; and
WHEREAS the attempted theft of Indian ceremonies is a direct
attack and theft from Indian people themselves; and
WHEREAS there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence
of selling of Sacred ceremonies, such as the sweat lodge and the
vision quest, and of Sacred articles, such as religious pipes,
feathers, and stone; and
WHEREAS these practices have been and continue to be
conducted by Indians and non-Indians alike, constituting not only
insult and disrespect for the wisdom of the ancients, but also
exposing ignorant non-Indians to potential harm and even death
through the misuse of these ceremonies; and
WHEREAS the traditional Elders and Spiritual leaders have
repeatedly warned against and condemned the commercialization of
our ceremonies; and
WHEREAS such commercialization has increased dramatically in
recent years, to wit:
The representations of Cyfus McDonald, Osheana Fast Wolf, and
Brook Medicine Ego, all non-Indian women representing
themselves as "Sacred Women," and who, in the case of Cyfus
McDonald, have defrauded Indian people of Sacred articles;
A non-Indian woman going by the name of "Quanda" representing
herself as a "Healing Woman" and charging $20 for sweat lodges;
Sun Bear and the so-called "Bear Tribe Medicine Society," who
engage in the sale of Indian ceremonies and Sacred objects,
operating out of the state of Washington, but traveling and
speaking throughout the United States;
Wallace Black Elk and Grace Spotted Eagle, Indian people
operating in Denver, Colorado, charging up to $50 for so-called
"Sweat Lodge Workshops;"
A group of non-Indians operating out of Boulder, Colorado, and
throughout the Southwest, and audaciously calling itself "Vision
Quest, Inc.," thereby stealing the name and attempting to steal
the concept of one of our most Spiritual ceremonies;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Southwest AIM Leadership
Conference reiterates the position articulated by our Elders at
the First American Indian Tribunal held at D.Q. University,
September 1982, as follows:
Now, to those who are doing these things, we send our third
warning. Our Elders ask, "Are you prepared to take the
consequences of your actions? You will be outcasts from your
people if you continue these practices"...Now, this is another
one. Our young people are getting restless. They are the ones
who sought their Elders in the first place to teach them the
Sacred ways. They have said they will take care of those who
are abusing our Sacred ceremonies and Sacred objects in their
own way. In this way they will take care of their Elders.
WE RESOLVE to protect our Elders and our traditions, and we
condemn those who seek to profit from Indian Spirituality. We
put them on notice that our patience grows thin with them and
they continue their disrespect at their own risk.
--- GEcho/beta
* Origin: To remember! Crstl Mt BBS, Oly, WA 206-866-3621 (1:352/777)
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BBS: CONNECTIONS BBS
Date: 01-14-92 (17:56) Number: 122
From: NativeNet@gnosys.svle.ma.us
>From: JOHN BURROWS Refer#: NONE
To: ALL Recvd: NO
Subj: Plastic Medicine Men Conf: (10) Indian_Aff
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RESOLUTION OF THE 5th ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE TRADITION ELDERS CIRCLE
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Northern Cheyenne Nation, Two Moons' Camp
Rosebud Creek, Montana
October 5, 1980
It has been brought to the attention of the Elders and their
representatives in Council that various individuals are moving
about this Great Turtle Island and across the great waters to
foreign soil, purporting to be spiritual leaders. They carry
pipes and other objects sacred to the Red Nations, the indigenous
people of the western hemisphere.
These individuals are gathering non-Indian people as
followers who believe they are receiving instructions of the
original people. We, the Elders and our representatives sitting
in Council, give warning to these non-Indian followers that it is
our understanding this is not a proper process, that the
authority to carry these sacred objects is given by the people,
and the purpose and procedure is specific to time and the needs of
the people.
The medicine people are chosen by the medicine and long
instruction and discipline is necessary before ceremonies and
healing can be done. These procedures are always in the Native
tongue; there are no exceptions and profit is not the
motivation.
There are many Nations with many and varied procedures
specifically for the welfare of their people. These processes and
ceremonies are of the most Sacred Nature. The Council finds the
open display of these ceremonies contrary to these Sacred
instructions.
Therefore, be warned that these individuals are moving about
playing upon the spiritual needs and ignorance of our non-Indian
brothers and sisters. The value of these instructions and
ceremonies are questionable, maybe meaningless, and hurtful to the
individual carrying false messages. There are questions that
should be asked of these individuals:
1) What Nation does the person represent?
2) What is their Clan and Society?
3) Who instructed them and where did they learn?
4) What is their home address?
If no information is forthcoming, you may inquire at the
addresses listed below, and we will try to find out about them for
you.
We concern ourselves only with those people who use spiritual
ceremonies with non-Indian people for profit. There are many
things to be shared with the Four Colors of humanity in our common
destiny as one with our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that
must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine
people who carry the Sacred Trusts, so that no harm may come to
people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces.
Signed,
Tom Yellowtail
Wyola, MT 59089
Larry Anderson
Navajo Nation
P.O. Box 342
Fort Defiance, AZ 86504
Izadore Thom
Beech Star Route
Bellingham, WA 98225
Thomas Banyacya
Hopi Independent Nation
Shungopavy Pueblo
Second Mesa via AZ 86043
Phillip Deere (deceased)
Muskogee (Creek) Nation (in tribute)
Walter Denny
Chippewa-Cree Nation
Rocky Boy Route
Box Elder, MT 59521
Austin Two Moons
Northern Cheyenne Nation
Rosebud Creek, MT
Tadadaho
Haudenasaunee
Onondaga Nation via
Nedrow, NY 13120
Chief Fools Crow (deceased)
Lakota Nation (in tribute)
Frank Cardinal, Sr.
Chateh, P.O. Box 120
Assumption, Alberta
Canada T0M 0S0
Peter O'Chiese
Entrance Terry Ranch
Entrance, Alberta
Canada
--- GEcho/beta
* Origin: To remember! Crstl Mt BBS, Oly, WA 206-866-3621 (1:352/777)