Saturday, April 21, 2007

 

"Religion" And Indigenous Peoples


“Religion” and Indigenous Peoples

Prior to columbus washing up onto Great Turtle Island (misnomer “western hemisphere”), Indigenous Red “Indian” Nations and Peoples lived beautiful Ways of Life in harmony with nature. Their daily lives were not divided or separated into the categories of “time, work, play, religion, vacation.” As prevalent within the societies exploiting the world’s people and resources today, governmental ‘control’ creates discontent, unhappiness, fosters alcohol/drug use and a desire to escape responsibility and reality through such ‘escapes’ as “religion.”

There was no word in Indigenous languages for “clock” in 1492, as there was no want or need to be controlled by “time” when people were truly free. Summer and fall food gathering and drying allowed for a warm, plentiful and joyous winters for Indigenous Red Nations prior to the columbus invasion. There was no stress such as those present in today’s world; paying the rent, lights, and gas bills, worrying about the safety of the children getting run over by cars, falling victim to abuse and neglect.

It remains true that the Nakota (N/DN/D/Lakota; misnomer “Sioux”) Nation did not have a religion. The Nakota language is free of the words “god” or “prayer.” However, crying - a sincere ‘from-the-heart’ offering of thanksgiving and appreciation to Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky is a true aspect of Indigenous spirituality.

Before columbus or the slave owners and suicide-committers “Clark and Lewis” came to the northern great plains region, the DaNakota had no prior belief in a “religion” or that an “invisible man in the sky watched their every move” and “might send them to a miserable, hot place forever” if they didn’t “believe in him” or follow a book allegedly “written by him” (but that the invisible man “truly loved them”).

An example of Nakota “thanksgiving/appreciation” exercises a ceremony of the Sacred Canunpa (misnomer “pipe/peace pipe”) called “Hanble Ceya” or “Crying For A Vision At Night”; also known as “fasting on a hill.” An individual is left free from all other human contact for at least one complete night and day (oftentimes four nights and four days) - naked, without food or water - with only the sacred hide of an animal like the Ptehcaka “Buffalo” Robe to sit upon and a sacred Eagle Feather or Canunpa in hand.

The Hanble Ceya allows an individual to begin to understand and appreciate water, food, shelter, and all the great gifts of nature afforded to humankind upon the sacred Unci Maka “Grand Mother Earth.” The Canunpa ceremonies insure respect for Earth and Sky and prevent those who practice from any desire to exploit the sacred Grand Mother.

It is believed that all races of human kind lived “like Indians” ten thousand years ago, with their personal hunting/gathering responsibilities met by each individual, respect of sacred fire place – living with nature, without the controls of one man over another. But there was a major (and quite successful) attempt 10,000 years ago to rid the world of the understanding that the Earth is “Grand Mother Earth”. At this time, money, greed, domesticated animals, land ownership and religion were invented. This negative, male-dominating system is known as the “pyramid hierarchy system”. In 1492, this terrible system contaminated the eastern shores of Great Turtle Island and spread across the country like a terrible plague.

Ignoring and disregarding Grand Mother Earth – the overall disrespect of the female gender – is crucial for the existence of the destructive “pyramid hierarchy”, which systems are today “led” by kings, presidents, prime ministers, chairmen, chiefs, dictators, gods, and other male figureheads. The denial of Grand Mother Earth is used to facilitate the exploitation and abuse of the “global object.” To make way for exploitation of resources and power over the masses by a few greedy ones, Grand Mother Earth must become an object, a “globe”, a mere “planet.”

Many “Sioux Indians” have been forced into “christianization” as attempts to occupy their land and gold reserves (and now coal) have been taking place over the recent 150 years. Many were manipulated into believing in a “god” or a male “higher power.” This plays into the religious sanctioning of greed and exploitation.

In the Lakota language there is no word for “god”, so “great spirit” or “tunkasila” (the Lakota word for “grandfather”) was implemented as such among “christianized Indians.” Most don’t even realize this oppressed condition exists within them, as even today many Lakota claim to be “traditional” and separate and distinct from the “white man”, yet they still pray to a “god/tunkasila” – embracing the foreign, alien concept.

The “religious” issue is a touchy subject because many remain in the learned “denial” mode and must “justify” their dysfunctions so as not to be “shattered” by reality. Many get “angry” when they begin to hear the truth about their situation, instead of being open minded and willing to always learn and grow at any age as they proceed, hopefully, towards wisdom.

The Nakota were satisfied and appreciated Nature and all of the Great Mystery. They did not have to try to dissect or study the molecular structure of a blade of grass or warm summer breeze to be content and to try to find themselves or the meaning of life.

They often say people “need an education.” Yet it is believed that the best education is experienced from nature and the wisdom of the old people and new born babies.

There remains, however, an understanding among a few regarding the importance of balance within Indigenous communities through the recognition of Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky, which make up “Wakan Tanka” – the “Great Mystery” (“All That Is”).

Many Indigenous Peoples today Cry For A Vision for which to help their people and practice the ways of the sacred Canunpa. Ceremonies occur daily across Great Turtle Island by sincere Indigenous Peoples trying to make their lives better. Imagine how strong these will become once they became total exercises of thankfulness and appreciation to Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky, instead of thoughts and requests in honor of a man-made “god.”

Remove “god” To Regain Health

Another key factor remains untapped which will insure the health of the Nakota. The Ihanktunwan DaNakota Nation (“Yankton Sioux Tribe”) is the last remaining band of the Nakota who have managed to preserve and maintain “Oyate Omniciye”, Nakota for “Circle Meeting of the People”. Through Oyate Omniciye governing (called “General Council”) all adults of the Nation, both men and women – all with equal voice - gather to discuss and take action upon a particular subject, with the final decision becoming the “supreme law of the land.”

In 1934 congress adopted an illegal “Indian Reorganization act” which removed females from the governing circles of most Indigenous Nations and replaced their legitimate democracies with male dominating, puppet governments who now dictate to their apathetic citizenry.

Oyate Omniciye is true democracy, where the people rule. Practiced in its true form, it insures balance, contentment and happiness within family, community and, therefore, nation. It is a daily life practice or exercise of male and female balance just as is the Canunpa and the balance afforded once the bowl and stem join together for one of the Seven Sacred Ceremonies.

Participation in open, female-inclusive, religion-free Canunpa Ceremonies and active participation in Oyate Omniciye are crucial to Nakota wellness. Hopefully someday soon great pilgrimages will take place as the “Tetunwan” Lakota bring tobacco offerings to an Ihanktunwan Oyate Omniciye Meeting and ask for guidance as they begin efforts to reestablish their ancient, traditional Oyate Omniciye’s within each of their communities back home.


“Wal-Mart in the Sky”

To many Indigenous Red People, the store chain known as “Wal-Mart” is considered “Indian Heaven.” In the past, great herds of Elk and Buffalo served as the Indian’s “Wal-mart.” Today, they are forced to shop at wal-mart.

Mocking the ignorance of american belief in a fantasical “god” thing, the Lakota would say “Happy Hunting Grounds” – meaning they thought it ridiculous to hunt on this earth, then go to “heaven” only to “hunt again?!?!?” What would be the big difference? The intent of the term “Happy Hunting Grounds” reflects the belief by the Lakota that this life is sacred and the earth and all of nature must be respected and viewed as holy.
False claims of a “heaven” or “hell” only create controversy, judgment of others by their fellow human, lead to great crusades and wars for the exploitation of labor and resources and keep “believers” ignorant to reality.

It is ironic that simple things are replaced with technical nonsense. When a person views the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie or the U.S. Constitution, they may or may not believe it – yet it is a real document and actually exists. However many who don’t believe in the documents can believe in an instant in a fantasy “man in the sky” who made everything and who watches over each and every one of them. Selective beliefs in fantasy find psychotic individuals harming nature and other life forms – backed by their “higher power” beliefs. The ludicrousness of thinking in wayward minds about something so totally outside the realm of all reality is a great concern to the natural world, which remains in jeopardy and danger because of it.

“With closed minds, the truth may sometimes hurt – but the truth must be told.”S. Charles Bartay, 2007

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

 

Mass Shootings Today and Yesterday

Mass Shooting Largest Since Wounded Knee, 1890
April 17, 2007
(API)

A 23 year old Virginia Tech University senior student from South Korea, Cho Seung-Hui, was behind the mass killing shooting spree of 32 fellow students and faculty who were trapped inside a campus building that Seung-Hui had chained shut. It was the deadliest shooting rampage in 117 years since the December 29, 1890 massacre of 453 innocent Lakota “Sioux” at Wounded Knee by United States army soldiers.Ballistics tests also show that one of the guns inside that building was used in another shooting two hours earlier, at a dorm, Virginia State Police said. It is unclear how authorities could allow a two hour span to occur before the shooter struck again – just five minutes from the first shooting.

Cho Seung-Hui was a student in the English department at Virginia Tech and lived on campus. During the past two weeks, false-alarm bomb threats had been called into the university and it is yet unknown if the threats were a precurser to the April 16th shooting.

In December of 1890, a U.S. army cavalry unit molested a peaceful group of Lakota near Wounded Knee Creek in present day southwestern South Dakota, stripped searched and removed even sewing needles and awls - then secretly opened fire at dawn as the victims slept with Hotchkiss guns placed on the ridges above and servicemen carbines firing at ground level – causing the murder of 453 innocent civilians. It is believed the mass murder of the Lakota paved the way to establish the state of South Dakota for the United States government. No charges were brought against the perpetrators of the genocidal action – in fact, two-dozen “medals of honor” were awarded to many of the u.s. army veterans and cavalry who committed the atrocities.

A petition to rescind the medals by congress can be viewed here:
http://new.petitiononline.com/rescind/petition.html

More information on relevant topics can be found here:
http://www.care2.com/c2c/share/sharebook?tag=All+Tags&page_offset=7&share_type=&pid=777177912

www.1851Treaty.com

Sunday, April 15, 2007

 

Bureau of Caucazoidal Affairs

The “Bureau of Caucazoidal Affairs”
blog.myspace.com/indigenousrednations

United Red Indigenous Nations (URIN) are proud to announce that it has bought the state of Wyoming from the whites and is throwing it open to Indian settlement. URIN bought Wyoming from three winos found wandering around near downtown Cheyenne. URIN decided the winos were the spokesmen for the white people of Wyoming. These winos promptly signed the “2007 Treaty of Cheyenne”, which was written in the Dakota “Sioux” language. Wyoming was purchased for one bottle of gin, two bottles of wine, and three cases of cheap beer.

Leonard Peltier, the new “Commissioner of Caucazoidal Affairs”, has announced the following new policies from his jail cell where he sits as a “prisoner of undeclared war” by the u.s. government for committing the act of “self defense” against attacking rookie FBI agents, in violation of the 1851 Treaty and the U.S. Constitution.

Indigenous Peoples are awarding four different land areas for which to “concentrate” the whites (but instead of calling them “concentration camps”, they will be called “reservations”), with each female, white, head of family getting one acre. Each reservation resident will get a specific “reservation number” and must use and meet stock-breeding blood quantification guidelines.

The “surplus” land left over (50% of the original reservation) will be opened up Indigenous Citizenry for homesteading purposes.

The reservations will be surveyed at the following locations:
Rez 1) Death Valley
Rez 2) The Utah Salt Flats
Rez 3) The Badlands of South Dakota
Rez 4) The Yukon in Alaska

These lands shall belong to the whites “for as long as the sun shines or the grass grows” (or until the Indians want it back). All land on the reservations, of course, will be held in trust for the whites by the “Bureau of Caucazoidal Affairs” (BCA), and any white who wants to use his land in any way must secure permission from Mr. Peltier.
Of course, whites will be allowed to sell trades and handicrafts at stands by the highway. Each white will be provided annually with one blanket, one pair of tennis shoes, a supply of Spam, and a copy of “Noble Red Man” and “Red Earth, White Lies.”

If a white man is competent enough, he will be able to be a BCA reservation superintendent. Applicants must have less than one year of education, must not speak English, must have an authoritarian personality, proof of dishonesty, and a certificate of incompetence. No whites need apply.
Commissioner Peltier also announced the founding of four boarding schools, to which white youngsters will be sent at the age of three. “We want to take those kids far away from the backward culture of their parents.” Peltier said.

The schools will be located at the following sites:
a) Alcatraz Island
b) Florida Everglades
c) Point Barrow, Alaska
d) Hong Kong

All courses will be taught in the Dakota language and there will be demerits for anyone caught speaking English. All students arriving at the school will immediately be given IQtests to determine their understanding of Indigenous Language and hunting skills. No student will be allowed to have “helmet-looking” short hair and eventually must wear their hair in neatly combed braids. When they first arrive at the schools, they will be doused with a mixture of turpentine and red paint in attempts to correct their skin tone while removing the various fungi and molds form the children’s inferior hides.

CHS Hospitals will be established for the reservations as follows: Whites at Death Valley may go to the Bangor, Maine Hospital; those at the Utah Salt Flats may go to Juneau, Alaska Hospital; those at the Yukon may go to the Miami Beach Hospital; and those at the Badlands may go to the Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. Each hospital will have a staff of two part-time doctors and a part-time chiropractor who have all passed first aid tests. Each CHS hospital will be equipped with a scalpel, a jack knife, a saw, a modern tourniquet, and a large bottle of aspirin.

Eventually, these CHS hospitals will be phased out once enough whites are relocated to the country and become good, self-sufficient hunters and once enough Indigenous men breed with enough non-indigenous white women in order to lower the white’s blood quantum levels.

In honor of the whites, many cities, landmarks, and commercial products will be given traditional white names, like hemorrhoid hill, genocide river, invasion valley, etc. Four school and sporting team mascots will be available to the whites for which to name their schools/teams, and are as follows:
1) The Imperialists
2) The Nazis
3) The Rapers
4) The Impotent Perverts

One famous Indian movie director, Chris Eyre, has announced that in his upcoming film, “Indians Punked Custer”, he will use many actual whites to play the parts of soldiers, speaking real English. The part of Custer, however, will be played by noted Indian actor, Wes Studi.

The barbaric white customs will, of course, not be allowed. Whites will not be allowed to practice their heathen religions (i.e., mass, church, xmas, easter bunny, etc.). They will, however, be required to attend Indigenous ceremonies and must respect Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky. Missionaries will be sent from each Indigenous Red Nation to convert the whites on the reservations. White churches will either be made into amusement parks or museums or will be torn down and the bricks and ornaments sold as souvenirs and curiosities.

(1851Treaty.com; updated and enhanced from the original Lee Brightman BCA article)

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