Wow - I can't believe that I have been away for so long. Since my last blog, there have been many changes to my life. I have recently purchased a new home, and for the first time in over twenty-four years, I live in something without wheels attached. :) My life has become very busy. I've had to relocate everything and then set it up again. Before that, of course, there is the fixing, remodeling and painting of each room before you can move stuff in. Even as I write this the new paint is drying in the room next door. The room which will become my new home office.

I feel I must respond to the recent event in Arizona concerning the use of the Native American rite called "Inipi" or sweat lodge to use the media's term. First of all I want to send my sincere sympathy for those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. Your loved ones have passed unto the universe, the spirit of their love will now carry you through difficult times. May your spirits learn and grow in ways you never thought possible.

I can not speak to what happened that night in Arizona. I can only speak about what I do know. The first of which is this "DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO GO TO A SWEAT LODGE CERMONY." Those who carry the Native American faith will not ask for money. All you need is for your heart to be in the right place. If you are not ready, they will tell you to learn, then come back and tell them what you have learned. When it is time, you will be allowed to participate. Always remember to approach a Native American elder with tobacco if you wish to learn of something spiritual. Offer it to them, but do not force it on them, if they take it they promise to help you, if they do not take it they will usually point you in a direction where you will find someone who can help you.

In looking at the photos of the "sweat box" from Arizona I can see that the people who created it did not know how the Inipi ceremony works. First off you only use a certain number of spines (braces that form the lodge) in a properly built Inipi. This is done to protect those on the inside from harm. Secondly, you can clearly see that he used plastic tarps for the inner lining of the Inipi. Native Americans NEVER use plastic in their ceremonial lodges. They only use blankets and fabric tarps. The Inipi is the womb of the earth and it must breath to sustain life. What I see created in Arizona was NOT an Inipi

I must also question the leaders knowledge of such ceremonies, or should I say the consequences of dealing with their actions on something they had little knowledge about. The man or woman who pours the water in an Inipi has gone through many years of training and hardship. They have had to participate in all of the rights of the Cannunpa (Sacred Pipe). They are Pipe Carriers, Vision Keepers, Sun Dancers and much more. Only after years and years of experience are you to take the prayers of others and carry them into the Inipi. It is true that people are allowed to have a family Inipi, but you are to keep this to your immediate family only. You do not take the responsibilities for those outside your blood-family, unless you know what you are doing. This was not done in Arizona.

The last thing I will lament about tonight is how this tragedy is being used by certain media outlets and far-right conservatives as a condemnation of Native American Religion commonly called "The Red Road" religion by its believers. What it appears is you have someone who was not an experiences person, but someone who read Black Elk's book, The Sacred Pipe, and thought they could create the same thing. My Grandfather told me when I first came to learn from him was "read Black Elk's book, then forget it." There were many changes made so as to protect those who read it and thought they would try to do it themselves. You can get a basic idea from the book, but you can only learn the true way after many years of observation, experience and participation.

We always end our prayers with "To All My Relatives" so that we will always remember that the whole world is our extended family. We are expected to help others without monetary compensation. After all, we are all one in the eyes of our Creator.

Wishing My Love Was Real

My Love Where Are You?

Please Call!