How I became Ohkwai

[CDNBear]

Bear,

Had a question for you...

In January of 2006, I and a Captain I worked for at the time did a funeral/casualty notification for a young man name Brett Lundstrom. He was Lakota and the funeral / "wake" was three days long. This was on the Piney Ridge reservation in South Dakota, in the Bad Lands. During this time, we were invited several times to attend a "sweat". We wanted to attend but couldn't because we had obligation elsewhere with the family and what not, and we got the understanding that the "sweat" could go on for hours. They had built "rooms" dug into the ground for these, and you had to go down a ladder to get in there.

Do you know if these sweats are universal thoughout Native cultures or no?

And I suppose I should throw in the disclaimer for all the PC people on here that might get their panties in a knot, that I know you might not know all there is to know about Sioux customs just because you are Native yourself.

lmao, for one thing, I'm about as PC as a Don Cherry, then there is the respect I have for a member of the Marines and a brother in arms, "Semper Fi!!!", then there is the fact that I'm pretty much the token red skin around here, lol. So, you didn't offend me, but I'm sure there arethose that would take your question the wrong way and read way to far into it.

The "Sweat Lodge" is not a custom of all Nations, it has been widely adopted for its benefits, mentally and physically, though.

I've done one, I would like to build one in the back yard one day and have friends try it. It is quite a neat experience. I did not experience anything like the vision I had when i was a kid, but I found the dry heat and meditation, very useful and quite enlightening. Besides, it's alway well worth the effort to experience other Nations customs and traditions.

It's to bad you didn't get the chance, if it ever comes up again, jump at sir, you may enjoy it greatly.

 

[CDNBear]

I'm rolling on the floor laughing, I can see you draging your butt over the carpet too.:laughing7::laughing7::wave:I'll have to get a litter box and train myself.

rotflmao!!!

I dragged my ass on the carpet once!!! The wife smacked my nose with a rolled up news paper and bought hardwood floors, the vet charged a fortune, to treat my rug burn too!!!

 

[selfactivated]

Hey self, how'r the melons???

Ripe Love , Ready for the picking.

 

[El Barto]

Ripe Love , Ready for the picking.

Bet you can start a thread on that subject. It could generate alot of heat if you file it under faith.

 

[canadarocks]

Now if I can convince canadarocks to come back, so we can finish our conversation, I'll be happier!!!

Hey self, how'r the melons???

I have been reading these messages, and thank you for the compliment. I'm a little shell-shocked in the faith pages right now. I venture in to learn, and get dismayed at the detrtactors who somehow feel it is their duty to enter these threads and attack whatever faith group is under discussion. I stand by what I wrote before, it is rude. Regardless of your personal issues, or beliefs, it is rude to step into someone's discussion with the sole purpose of attacking the organization that faith is attached to. It is also deeply unfair to the people who have that faith. There they are, having a discussion on some aspect of their beliefs, and end up spending page after page defending their very religion from would-be heros who feel the need to attack. It's very, very rude. If I went into your home, and you were a Roman Catholic, I would never bring up my views on your Church or its beliefs. If I went into someone's home who was aMuslim, the same..etc.etc..you get the point.

 

[canadarocks]

By the way CDNBear, in response to an earlier question, I'm a SHE

 

[L Gilbert]

Bear,

Had a question for you...

In January of 2006, I and a Captain I worked for at the time did a funeral/casualty notification for a young man name Brett Lundstrom. He was Lakota and the funeral / "wake" was three days long. This was on the Piney Ridge reservation in South Dakota, in the Bad Lands. During this time, we were invited several times to attend a "sweat". We wanted to attend but couldn't because we had obligation elsewhere with the family and what not, and we got the understanding that the "sweat" could go on for hours. They had built "rooms" dug into the ground for these, and you had to go down a ladder to get in there.

Do you know if these sweats are universal thoughout Native cultures or no?

And I suppose I should throw in the disclaimer for all the PC people on here that might get their panties in a knot, that I know you might not know all there is to know about Sioux customs just because you are Native yourself.

There are BC natives that use sweatlodges, so it isn't just a phenomena indigent to eastern or central Canada.

 

[selfactivated]

There are BC natives that use sweatlodges, so it isn't just a phenomena indigent to eastern or central Canada.

There are sweat lodges in the states. The two in Virginia where closed Im told by christian beliefs being prevailant in tthe tribes. Quite sad the old way going by the wayside.

 

[sanctus]

There are sweat lodges in the states. The two in Virginia where closed Im told by christian beliefs being prevailant in tthe tribes. Quite sad the old way going by the wayside.

Is it do you think? I find that, at least in Canada, the Native peoples I encounter are re-discovering their traditional spiritual paths.

 

[El Barto]

Sanctus I think she was talking about her part of virginia

 

[selfactivated]

Is it do you think? I find that, at least in Canada, the Native peoples I encounter are re-discovering their traditional spiritual paths.

Im just repeating what Im told by my friend thats a full blood and runs in the elk and eagle lodges here. Pillow talk if you like. Its the only first hand knowledge I get of the local tribes.

When I have more time I'll tell you a story about an experience that happened 2 years ago. But now Ive got to get dressed for an evening out

 

[selfactivated]

About two years ago I made an appointment with the local Cherokee Chief to talk to him about a tribe that allowed people to join the tribe after 10 weeks of classes. (i cant think of the name at this moment my brain is mush.) Anyway I was being interviewed for these lessons. The one thingh my Mom wished for that we couldnt give her was thay we were registard indians. Her birth certificate was burned when the court house was torched after her birth.So theres no proof we are Cherokee. Back in those days it was dangerous to be red. So they were told not to talk about it or ask questions. So this was a way to honour my mothers last wish.

I went to this mans house and we talked a bit and he asks me if I minded that an elder Shaman would be joining us. His wife was picking him up from the home (I assumed elderly housing) Well the Shaman arrived he was 81 but totally sharp and we all sat and talked together. The Chief asked me my belief system and I told him I had an earth based belief syestem and My Goddess was Fae and my God Pan.

The man looked me in the eye and said you cannot join this group. I asked why and he said that their beif was in one God and one Son Jesus Christ. I looked at him an I said your joking. He said no. I turned to the Shaman and asked are these your beliefs, he said no I am Shaman. I refused to cry. I looked at the Shaman and asked Am I evil? He took my hand placing his fingers on my wrists and looked into my eyes. I smiled and closed my eyes. Letting him test my metal.. I felt his energy crawl up my arm into my chet and my heart.......I allowed him to read my soul then I turned the tables and read his gentle but crafty Spirit. He smiled wide and said no no evil. He said your good. and he winked. I said who am I? and he said YOU know. I said tell him and he said I will but he wont get it. So he turned to the Chief and said she is beyond you, she is Shaman, She is a Healer and you will never know her.

I thanked both men and took the old ones hands and kissed his palms. H twinked and I left. I got home and wept for two days. I was rejected by my own blood and acceped by my own Spirit.


I need sleep.

 

[AmberEyes]

I remember this man my mom used to do/still does taxidermy for. I can't remember his name off hand, but I know he was a shaman, and some of the work my mom was doing for him was definitely for spirtiual use. One day, as my mom was piecing togeter bits of eagle, I sat down with the man and we had a very long and involved conversation about our beliefs and opinions on various matters. I can't recall very much of what he said, but I do remember him offering to teach me the shamanic pathway. I can't remember why I refused.. it was obviously an offer not meant to be taken lightly, and now that I think about it I shake my head and ask myself why I didn't accept.

 

[selfactivated]

I remember this man my mom used to do/still does taxidermy for. I can't remember his name off hand, but I know he was a shaman, and some of the work my mom was doing for him was definitely for spirtiual use. One day, as my mom was piecing togeter bits of eagle, I sat down with the man and we had a very long and involved conversation about our beliefs and opinions on various matters. I can't recall very much of what he said, but I do remember him offering to teach me the shamanic pathway. I can't remember why I refused.. it was obviously an offer not meant to be taken lightly, and now that I think about it I shake my head and ask myself why I didn't accept.

It wasnt time.

 

[AmberEyes]

You're probably right. But now that I feel it is time, I wish he'd come back

 

[selfactivated]

You're probably right. But now that I feel it is time, I wish he'd come back

Are you sure he hasnt?

 

[AmberEyes]

He left a mark on me. I'm pretty sure that if I saw him, or even came even close to him I'd know in an instant.

 

[CDNBear]

I have been reading these messages, and thank you for the compliment. I'm a little shell-shocked in the faith pages right now. I venture in to learn, and get dismayed at the detrtactors who somehow feel it is their duty to enter these threads and attack whatever faith group is under discussion. I stand by what I wrote before, it is rude. Regardless of your personal issues, or beliefs, it is rude to step into someone's discussion with the sole purpose of attacking the organization that faith is attached to. It is also deeply unfair to the people who have that faith. There they are, having a discussion on some aspect of their beliefs, and end up spending page after page defending their very religion from would-be heros who feel the need to attack. It's very, very rude. If I went into your home, and you were a Roman Catholic, I would never bring up my views on your Church or its beliefs. If I went into someone's home who was aMuslim, the same..etc.etc..you get the point.

You are correct, I will not argue with you at all, I am guilty as charged and took my lumps. I can try and justify and examplar those that do it out of pettiness, but in the end it's all the same.

I have made my apologies, one of which I will extend to you, for detracting from your enjoyment.

Is it do you think? I find that, at least in Canada, the Native peoples I encounter are re-discovering their traditional spiritual paths.

Here in Canada, many Nations are using both. They have drawn a connection between the two faiths and utilize both the old ways and the Christian in a manner of healing. This is not a bad thing. Though I have my hangups, with the one, I bite my tongue and let nature take its course.

Sanctus I think she was talking about her part of virginia

It has happened here to, in a few communities, where the religious group given soul responsiblity of the reserve, was of an othodox nature. The religion has almost drowned out the spirituality of the tranditionals, with almost unanomous consent of the people.

 

[El Barto]

In a way we would be losing something wonderful. I have a grandmother on my mothers side (great G ). She is rumored to be Abinaki. I would love to prove that, It would make me feel like I have a spiritual attachment to the native americans. For a very long time I had an urge to be with the elders in the bad lands to learn they're teachings or to go with the monks out in Asia , shoalin or tibetian.
To answer in my words to attacks posted on beliefs. Yes I've attack the Catholic religion due that if it was a math equation it would not add up. Where its views are more contradictions and so on. but mainly the stance they have towards abortion, gay marriage and so on. Theres is a common thread i see but that would be a whole debate in it's self. If by the way they were talking more of the spiritual side of they're religion then that's a whole different ball game. How it makes them feel about the church then my hands are tied my mouth is shut. I will not go there. And by any chance that I do then take my words and shove them back in my face , I will bow out humbly. Any other religion that post their beliefs i am open minded to read and learn.

 

[canadarocks]

You are correct, I will not argue with you at all, I am guilty as charged and took my lumps. I can try and justify and examplar those that do it out of pettiness, but in the end it's all the same.

I have made my apologies, one of which I will extend to you, for detracting from your enjoyment.

Accepted, and thank you.

Here in Canada, many Nations are using both. They have drawn a connection between the two faiths and utilize both the old ways and the Christian in a manner of healing. This is not a bad thing. Though I have my hangups, with the one, I bite my tongue and let nature take its course.

It has happened here to, in a few communities, where the religious group given soul responsiblity of the reserve, was of an othodox nature. The religion has almost drowned out the spirituality of the tranditionals, with almost unanomous consent of the people.

Well, if it is by the consent of the people, surely even Native Canadians have the right to determine what spiritual path they wish to follow. I believe that whatever they do follow leads to God anyway, so what difference if they use Christian labels or not. Just curious, given the history in this country of Anglican and RC evangelism to the Natives, when you say that some groups use Christianity, it is within one of these two denominations?