I am a non-native, living The Good Red Road to the best of my abilities. I do not want to be an Indian. I am Japanese and Italian, and I am very proud of my heritage. This is not a path I sought nor is it what I would have chosen for myself; it is a difficult path. Especially, this is not something that I have a right to or am entitled to. It is a gift. I have been invited onto this path, graciously welcomed by Traditional Lakota Medicine People. It is a precious gift passed on to me from The Creator through The Lakota People. Each ceremony, each tradition, each story, each bit of knowledge passed on to me is a gift.
For me this is a wonderful way to live. There is real power here without the illusionary distinction between the Spiritual and the "Real." When the Old Ceremonies and Traditions are lived in a good way, there is a direct connection to Our Creator.
Each of us needs to remember that for hundreds of years in this nation it has been illegal for Native People to pray according to their beliefs and traditions. As a result, many traditions, ceremonies, and teachings given to The People by the Creator have been lost destroyed by the invading culture. What has remained alive has come at no small price. Generations of Traditional Native People have lived in abject poverty, social and economic oppression while secretly keeping their traditions alive. Whole generations lost their children, families and loved ones. Many were tortured, beaten, imprisoned and murdered for practicing their so-called heathen religion. In 1978, "The American Indian Religious Freedom Act, Public Law 95-341," passed as a joint resolution of Congress. Many Traditions and Ceremonies have come out of hiding, into the open, preserved in their original forms as given to The People by The Creator, vibrant and alive. A wonderful way to pray and live endured solely because Native People have remained committed to The Old Ways. The struggle continues. It is not over. Efforts to commit physical, economic, cultural, social, and spiritual genocide against The First People are ongoing.
Please, let us not be a part of the problem. Let us not bring the same attitudes of our ancestors with us. The invading culture came here believing they had good intentions, but rather than treat the gifts offered them with respect, stole whatever they wished and destroyed all they have touched. We need to remember the sacrifices that have been and are being made to keep each of these traditions alive. We must respect that each Nation has been given its own Traditions and Ceremonies, each distinct and unique to That Nation. They are not all one. It is of grave importance that each tradition be respected and preserved in its original form as the Creator has given them to us. Especially for non-natives and for Natives coming home, it is of paramount importance that we understand that. Imposing our preconceived notions of what should be to adopt and incorporate parts of a nation's ceremonies and traditions into other belief systems, is in fact desecration and the ultimate disrespect.
What happens to The People, the Old Ways, to a nation's beliefs and traditions when they are lost amidst some rainbow tribe, new-age conglomeration of convenient mumbo jumbo? Who are any of us to override The Creator and supercede his directions? I think that the Creator gave all people a path, be it Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Celtic, Hindu, or any other. Each at its core was intended to convey specific instructions from God on how to live and pray so as to live in harmony with him. All of those paths are often difficult and require a disciplined commitment as well as sacrifice. I know, too, that the rewards are infinite. Ultimately all paths will lead to the Sunlight of the Spirit if practiced in a sincere good way. No one path is greater or lesser than another.
For us non-natives, the point is: follow the path you believe in as it was given to your people. Allow Native People their right to preserve their traditions and live according to their beliefs. If you find yourself invited to learn the Traditions of a Native Nation, walk in quietness, listen, and take the time to learn respectfully. Remember! Each bit of knowledge you receive is a gift handed down to you at no small price. Avoid books and the Spiritual Phony. Learn and practice Respect. You may some helpful information in my Links Page but remember that this is an oral tradition a way of life that requires eye-to-eye contact with a traditional elder/teacher.
Of course many will discount what I say here and believe in their right to do as they wish, operating on their concept of manifest destiny believing that they have dominion over all the earth, all its people and it's creatures, and so are entitled to whatever they want. So, if they WannaBe an Indian, they are. For those rainbow people I offer this Gift and caution them to read War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality.
