SkinnyCheruscian
Member
Hi there,
where to begin: A (white) friend of mine has lived on a Lakota rez for two years in teh 1970s and visited the rez throughout the 80s, and has had a sweat in Europe for about 25 years, to which I have been going.
I mentioned this recently in another forum, where this was not well received at all (New age frauds and plastic shamans), quite to the contrary. I was perceived as just another plastic shaman, and told their forum was not a place to present my views, I were wrong and my words would be very offending to all Natives. They seemed to hold the view that only Natives should lead and participate in Lakota ceremonies.
I was wondering whether the assertion was true that a majoity of Lakota and Native Americans in general shares such views, or whether the above site rather represents one view among others. In this context, I am aware of the "war declaration against exploiters of Lakota spirituality" of 1993, as well as a statement of Chief Arvol Looking Horse in a similar vein (but more explicit on ethnicity) from 2003.
I do not quite agree with those statements; I used to believe it is theoretically possible for whites to get involved into this path, obviously with the long term aim to find our own ways. Pending, I think having a working framework as a guidance, such as the traditional Lakota ways, can be useful. But there would be not much point in this if there was a broad opposition against it. My friend and other people I know have been to SD in the 1980s and from their reports ethnicity was not such a big issue at that time. However, they had Lakota friends and were introduced, and thus did not come as intruders.
I don't want to continue doing something that offends or is highly controversial. I disagree with the statements quoted above, but maybe a certain type of Nationalism is what the Lakota Nation needs at the moment to not lose their heritage. It is difficult to understand race politics in the US from a European perspective, and at the end of the day I admit that I probably just know far to little to agree or disagree on the issue.
Another thing complicating the issue are the many "frauds and plastic shamans", i.e. imposters who have little if any authentic qualification or background, and who charge money for sweats, mix the ritual with random elements from the New Age catalogue, etc. Thus I see that Natives have a point in thinking it was wrong to open their ways to outsiders (e.g. see tragic events in Arizona).
comments appreciated
cheers
where to begin: A (white) friend of mine has lived on a Lakota rez for two years in teh 1970s and visited the rez throughout the 80s, and has had a sweat in Europe for about 25 years, to which I have been going.
I mentioned this recently in another forum, where this was not well received at all (New age frauds and plastic shamans), quite to the contrary. I was perceived as just another plastic shaman, and told their forum was not a place to present my views, I were wrong and my words would be very offending to all Natives. They seemed to hold the view that only Natives should lead and participate in Lakota ceremonies.
I was wondering whether the assertion was true that a majoity of Lakota and Native Americans in general shares such views, or whether the above site rather represents one view among others. In this context, I am aware of the "war declaration against exploiters of Lakota spirituality" of 1993, as well as a statement of Chief Arvol Looking Horse in a similar vein (but more explicit on ethnicity) from 2003.
I do not quite agree with those statements; I used to believe it is theoretically possible for whites to get involved into this path, obviously with the long term aim to find our own ways. Pending, I think having a working framework as a guidance, such as the traditional Lakota ways, can be useful. But there would be not much point in this if there was a broad opposition against it. My friend and other people I know have been to SD in the 1980s and from their reports ethnicity was not such a big issue at that time. However, they had Lakota friends and were introduced, and thus did not come as intruders.
I don't want to continue doing something that offends or is highly controversial. I disagree with the statements quoted above, but maybe a certain type of Nationalism is what the Lakota Nation needs at the moment to not lose their heritage. It is difficult to understand race politics in the US from a European perspective, and at the end of the day I admit that I probably just know far to little to agree or disagree on the issue.
Another thing complicating the issue are the many "frauds and plastic shamans", i.e. imposters who have little if any authentic qualification or background, and who charge money for sweats, mix the ritual with random elements from the New Age catalogue, etc. Thus I see that Natives have a point in thinking it was wrong to open their ways to outsiders (e.g. see tragic events in Arizona).
comments appreciated
cheers
