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. =========================================================================== BBS: CONNECTIONS BBS Date: 01-14-92 (17:42) Number: 117 From: JOHN BURROWS Refer#: NONE To: ALL Recvd: NO Subj: Plastic Medicine Men Conf: (10) Indian_Aff --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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) =========================================================================== BBS: CONNECTIONS BBS Date: 01-14-92 (17:56) Number: 122 From: JOHN BURROWS Refer#: NONE To: ALL Recvd: NO Subj: Plastic Medicine Men Conf: (10) Indian_Aff --------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESOLUTION OF THE 5th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TRADITION ELDERS CIRCLE ================================================================= 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)