Many know me and know my way....this is happening everywhere from TV/Cable to the pow wows. What were once followed in a good way with Northern tribes leading by example, has now become more of a fiesta...We the traditional people who know who they are need to rise up....before it's too late...They stand at pow wows along side non natives playing dress up...come see who leads the dancers into the powwows, see who sit at the drums...see who sells their wears...come see...We need to do something soon...if it was any other culture...there would be an uprise heard across the land....what's wrong with all of us?

Below is my oldest son's Poem, he's only 24 but you can hear his anger,his pain...Elders should remember who is behind them.....
Please excuse his language but it hits home.

Respectfully Nellie LeGaspe
Oglala Sioux/Chirichaua Apache

Nice one, great poem mate!

Powerfull poem ,and true words , first they try to take your culture away , and now they want to own it .they knew all along that the energy was good .but tried to make you feell it was bad , thats why they have all the sacred treasures in their store houses .so they can captivate the power of native american energy .

Fire can be used to burn down buildings and it can be used to light our way in the depths of night. So it is with revolution. I know many are deserving of death, but I also feel that those who march upon the path of destruction will only be destroyed themselves.

This is a thing which has been especially tormenting the past 8 years. In my prayers I felt urged to "be patient" - find peace within and let those who choose destruction to fall on their own accord. Violence only in defense. But do we not defend the earth as well? Who are we not to protect it?

Yet I should know better than to think that our great mother could really fall at the hands of her insane children. Indeed, it will all be washed away before it comes to that.

Rainbow,

Wasicu are like bugs in the night, and the ways of spirit are shining beacons - they cannot help but fly towards it while the world they know fades into deeper shadow. Many don't know they should not fly too close or they will burn themselves.

It is best for we non-natives who respect the ways of the tribes to find our own fires, light them and make them clean; to remain at a distance of your sacred fires where we may find inspiration and admire the beauty of it, and not disturb its purity. Do you agree with this?

I ask you, though - as a non-native, do you believe one should avoid having or purchasing native works? I have an eye for false artifacts, things made by wasicu, but for instance my late father made a staff from a cedar sapling with feathers and beads atop it; a good friend of mine makes beautiful dream-catchers (I know perhaps these are not even traditional native objects, but they do emulate native materials). These are sincere and respectful people, not false and blind. We make no presumptions of your beliefs or culture.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Hello Jim this is a very difficult guestion , But I feel in my heart that none native.s should respect ,the native culture and sacred goods or items .
that the items should not be made for sale .only the native.s should be alowed to sell items of their choice .,as to none native.s avoid owning native items ,I think it depends if the items follow you .I dont know if you understand the meaning of this ,some people dont want to own certain items but this items follow them for a purpose . and they are only given a few items for a period of time .I made this experience in my walk ,there is a spiritual reason for owning something and there is a material reason for owning something .I respect the sacred reason for owning something of Native culture .And the great spirit and the ancestors show me why I got them .
but the wasi,chu make a fashion out of everything . that shows that there is no respect to the sacred meaning of culture and people .

Blessings to you

Blessings to you, Rainbow. Thank you for helping me address these things. Apologies for distracting from the main topic.

This I posted to the Louisiana Oil Spill thread and thought it was appropriate here as well.


Woodrow spoke to me of Jihad and its two meanings - one being the physical defense of Islamic states, conducting war in defense, and the other jihad being the more difficult spiritual battle committed by the individual to maintain spiritual strength and purity in this world. The personal battle is always more difficult - it is easy to shed blood. You can take a rock and hurt someone easily - but to find victory over your enemies because of your inner power and vision takes much more strength.

Is a warrior not one who has found success with his inner battles prior to entering onto the battlefield? Is a man who strikes out of pain and anger the same as one who strikes because of pride and love? Which one is the real warrior?

I think we know the answers, but this is a difficult thing. Creator has been patient with us, so should we not be patient with others, focusing on making our spirit stronger, so others may follow us on the good path? Is violence against other people not violence against creator as well? Can we find glory in battle if we have not become righteous?

Forgive me if I presume much - just thoughts.