Thursday, June 29, 2006

 

View from the Red Road


View from the Red Road

Indigenous Red “Indian” Nations and Peoples of Great Turtle Island of Grand Mother Earth (misnomer “Indians” of the “western hemisphere” of the “planet earth”) enjoyed freedom and democracy, which ended for them as “America” was formed. The term “western hemisphere” is a division of continents by militarily empowered, imperialist governments dividing our grandmother as an object they label as a “globe.”

Great trade existed between the over 500 separate and distinct nations, each with their own language and Way of Life. Trade good items such as the Sacred Red Canunpa Stone (“pipestone of Minnesota) and copper from Michigan, were found thousands of miles away from their origins via a great system of running and traveling along ancient pathways throughout Great Turtle Island.

True democracy existed (unlike the façade and farcical charade witnessed today in the “United States government”) where women and men in each community sat together in great circles to discuss and take action upon issues concerning their nationhood and peaceful community lives. These decisions were made in community circles called “Oyate Omniciye” in the Nakota (misnomer “Sioux”) Language, one of the hundreds of unique and distinct Red Nation Languages spoken before the columbus invasion.

Indigenous “sign language” was “spoken” by all Red People, including even the smallest children. It is now an endangered art form and the awareness of this is often unknown to “Indians” today, many having grown up away from their Way of Life and family in government and religious “boarding schools” where they were beaten and abused for speaking their own beautiful languages.

Red Peoples enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Nature and the Natural World, that which they understood as superior to Indigenous Peoples and all human beings. But this great understanding that the Red Humans held - looking “up” to and emulating “the higher ones”, the plants, trees, insects, fish, animals, rocks – was in direct contradiction to the foreign, invading, non-indigenous “white people” and their “religious” concepts of superiority over the natural world.

Prior to the columbus era (1492 to the present), Red Peoples had no dentists or doctors, for their Way of Life kept them healthy and strong. They were free of disease, rotting teeth, and obesity. They walked and enjoyed fresh air and clean water – they were pollution-free.

There were no laws as there were no lawbreakers. There was no “written word” from which the lie could be drawn and developed. Decisions of the community circles – where men and women were equally recognized and respected – kept peace and harmony.

The simple life of the Red People should be respected and should be taught today to dysfunctional societies void of spirituality and peace. Indigenous Red Nations should be allowed to be recognized and to join organizations like the “United Nations” so that groups like this can be transformed into nations who strive for peace – instead of those run by big oil companies and governments dividing Grand Mother Earth into sections of profit for the few who desire control and wealth.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

 

View from the Red Road: June 2006

View from the Red Road: June 2006
"religion" And The NakotaWay Of Life
The way of life of Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples prior to this ‘columbus era’ was family and nature based. There was no “jesus, god, tunkasila, creator” religious concept to distract people from what was simple and important. The Nakota were not under any other person or “god”, so they had high self-esteem and were secure about themselves and content with life.

Today, many Nakota attempt to replace their old ways and ceremonies with religious structure and beliefs. Sun Dances practiced on many reservations place twelve branches (in honor of the “twelve Christian disciples” possibly) across the center tree to form a “cross” above them. Also, sage is laced around the head, wrists, and ankles possibly in attempts to remember “Jesus Christ” being “crucified.” Maybe the tree and sage need to be removed from this ceremony until true visions of the people can once again guide Nakota spirituality.

Although original meanings may have differed from those now ‘incorporated’ into the ceremony (such as the act of ‘praying’ for things), the foreign christian influences in Nakota ceremonies are clung to by many participants today. For years the foreign occupiers of the post-1492 era tried to inflict low self-esteem and an inferiority complex upon Indigenous Peoples and it seems they have succeeded among some.

Religious confusion within these ceremonies detracts from the original intent of the ceremony – which are simply thanksgiving exercises in honor of earth, sky, and the natural world. A crucial factor of Indigenous life is the understanding of and appreciation that trees give life to human kind. There is nothing sacred about cutting down the trees of life to construct “bibles” that one can take around house to house, and community to community to try to entice or force people into “believing” in.

The religions of the world question, fear, and deny spirituality and sacredness. They all have their strange stories of a man (or woman) bringing some “gift” to the people for human benefit and making them fear “god/tunkasila/creator” or believing (worshipping) a “devil.” But a “devil” only exists within the minds of confused man. Religious-based tales are always spun to try to entice people to be “good”, even though actions of the same society are disrespectful, uncivilized, and barbaric.

Yet when columbus washed up, Indigenous peoples were already “good”. They had all the clean air, water, food, and shelter they needed to live comfortably without being under the control of another. They had no desire or need to go forth from their lodges to kill another man, who also had all the comforts of home and children. They did not need a "god" to feel good about themselves and were satisfied and, in fact, honored to one day (upon their "death") become "food for the Grass Nations" - their superiors, which would later feed the Bison and complete the Circle of Life for their Grand Children.

The circle of life of the Nakota continues each time a couple “makes love” and creates a “Sacred Little One”. The “parents” of each newborn human, plant, or animal are the only “creators”. The children should be the “religion”, as well as the trees and the superior beings of nature. That is the Nakota way.

The male and female balance within family and community prevented crimes against humanity. Only with euro-christian influence did “murder” come to Great Turtle Island, contrary to untruths and lies taught in American schools to depict the “Indian” as “savage” (attempts to make the Indian look bad too).

The Nakota of today must remember Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky not as religious icons, but as always there to give life and the breath of happiness to the human being each night and day. The Nakota must look to the trees and their own children for answers to life’s questions and not continue to dwell on stagnant ideologies based upon control and disrespect.
It is a difficult task to free the mind – and therefore the body, and accept new ideas and change into the heart. But Indigenous peoples are so strong that they will no doubt complete the task at hand. Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples struggle to protect Grand Mother Earth in these trying times.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

 

View from the Red Road

View from the Red Road

Protect The Prairie

While driving west from Rosebud along “Hiway 18” across the Pine Ridge Reservation, it is noticed the vast amounts of land that could easily afford the opportunity to reintroduce the “Ptehcaka” or “Buffalo” into an immense “Buffalo Commons.”

Toll and monitoring ‘checkpoint’ stations at roads entering the reservation would create employment and protection for the Lakota. The nationhood project would employ hundreds of Lakota Citizenry who would gladly mend fencing, protect, and harvest the great herds that provide dried food, shelter, and clothing – a booming economy - to the Lakota Peoples.

Also evident along Hiway 18 are the communities of the good ‘friends’ of the Ptehcaka, the sacred “Pis pis'a” (pronounced “peez peez ah”) or “Prairie Dog” villages. Like the Coyote, the Golden Eagle, and the Ptehcaka, the Pis pis'a is misunderstood and is an endangered species on the verge of extinction.

Our relatives and “superiors”, the plants and animals, are in need of assistance of the Nakota people for protection from the Americans who wish to destroy them. The natural prairie grasses of Great Turtle Island (misnomer “western hemisphere”) served the sacred Ptehcaka and the sacred plants were always nourished and enhanced by the presence of the sacred Pis pis'a. It is crucial that these plants and small animals be protected to insure the return of the great Ptehcaka.

The Wahu Topa “Four Legged” Buffalo, Deer, Antelope, Elk, Horse and other hooved animals have for millions and millions of years upon Great Turtle Island eaten the more tasty and nutritious grasses, brush, shrubs and plants that grow near Pis pis'a villages. The churning of the ground aerates and replenishes the lands for the ones who graze.

The Wahu Topa know their identity, they are looked upon as predictors or guides of the conditions of the natural world of changes, whether natural or man-made within the environment. Many Lakota say the Wahu Topa are now observed to be uneasy in their behaviors and actions - a warning to today’s “two-legged”.

The Golden Eagle harvests the Pis pis'a for their nourishment and survival, and the sacred Ground Owls use the abandoned Pis pis’a holes for their home sites. Many Eagles have died as the result of poisoning to animals they eat that are targeted for destruction by “wasin icuna” or “greedy ones”.

The Badger, Coyote, Black Footed Ferret, and Wolf have always depended upon the Pis pis'a supplement to their diet. Most of these four legged are targeted with “bounties” and have been mass-murdered to near-extinction based upon misguided fears and the decisions by the greedy few.

Snakes, rodents, and other creatures also utilized the Pis pis'a tunnels and holes to their benefit and to make homes for their families. But religious teachings condemn snakes as evil and manipulate misinformed humans into fearing or hating such creatures.

Somehow, the Americans thought they could improve the natural world, and they now refuse to admit their tragic mistakes. But the Nakota people must point out and advise them of their mistakes. Currently, there may be plans by government officials and their supporters to poison and annihilate remaining Pis pis'a families in order to provide a few extra inches of grass to cattle – although the cattle and Ptehcaka welcome the sacred little guys.

The importance of all life forms and the circle of life should not be interrupted or altered by dangerous, man-made toxins. The use of toxic chemicals, immunizations, steroids, poisons, and other murderous drugs provide a false sense of ‘control’ or ‘power.’ The numerous wrong decisions of America were, and are, based upon fear and greed – not just a lack of true education.

It is the duty of the Nakota to protect the Prairie Grass and Pis pis'a for the future generations of all life. Urge your family, community, and Nation to protect and reintroduce the sacred Ptehcaka, the sacred plants, and the sacred Pis pis'a.

See the Protect The Prairie Petition at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/PRAIRIE/petition.html

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?