The Sundance / Start of a Local Tradition
In essence, the Sundance is a community vision quest. It is not the pow wow that people expect it to be. It’s a three or four day ceremony of prayer and fasting…a cleansing and healing ceremony where dancers seek renewal and guidance for themselves and their tribe. In Sault Ste. Marie, it is the start of a local tradition by a reverent and passionate group of tribal and nontribal members seeking to renew their tribe’s connection to the Great Spirit.
The dancer’s perform in an arena around a tall center pole that represents the Great Spirit. They dance outward or inward to a double circle of poles connected with rafters and topped with spruce and pine boughs that represent the tribe. It is through the dancers that the tribe’s connection to the Great Spirit is renewed. They dance for a day without anything to drink or eat. At the beginning of the second day, they’re given a small meal and they dance the last three days without anything else.
It is a dance of pain, a payback to the Great Spirit for the gifts sent their way. It involves great suffering and as the fasting and prayer progresses dancer’s pass out and fall, and in their unconscious state receive visions of the direction that they and their tribe should go. The dance ends with purification and gifts exchanged and sacred pipes smoked and tobacco shared, and offerings made to the Great Spirit for the blessings of his guidance.
Local spiritual leader and Sundance organizer Pat McCoy learned the dance while visiting the Sioux on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He hopes to teach it to his fellow Chippewa, turning it into a local tradition and an annual July celebration. This year’s inaugural Sundance is being held in an arena constructed for it on eight-mile road south of the Soo, between Shunk and Seymour Roads. The public is welcome. The women asked to wear a dress…to comply with the symbolism requirements of the dance.
Thank you, Charles Forgrave
But this morning I received an email forwarded to me regarding claims that AIM (American Indian Movement) were participating in the Sault's Sundance. Here is an excerpt from that message...Lynne Weaver
"Today, there are hundreds of Sun Dances, purification ceremonies, healing ceremonies, Midewin ceremonies every year. Most are conducted by recognized spiritual leaders, such as Rick Two Dogs, Warfield Moose, Richard Moves Camp, and others, but we also know there are those who exploit their own people’s traditions.
The most recent example of this is occurring in Saulte Ste. Marie, Michigan this year. It’s being advertised as a “public event” on Facebook. The American Indian Movement name and logo is being used without permission of the American Indian Movement. Chief Terrance Nelson, and Edward Benton-Benai are advertised on the poster, and neither of these two men are attending, or taking part in any way. Sault St. Marie has never attended American Indian Movement meetings, and are not recognized as part of the council. The reason for the establishment of the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council and Trademarked logo is to curtail the abuse of our name, organization, and intellectual property rights being used by people we do not know.
The American Indian Movement is not saying that Sun Dances cannot be held in any area or community. Indian people can have all the Sun Dances they want, but the responsibility, the honor in being truthful rests on the organizers, and they should not be using the name of an organization that has nothing to do with their Sun Dance. The danger in this is that some one could get hurt, or sick, and the responsibility would be on the American Indian Movement.
The Sun Dance in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has been planned in a highly irregular manner in spite of our wishes for them to discontinue using our name. Many of the people taking part in this dance were asked to leave the American Indian Movement Sun Dance in Pipestone for bringing alcohol, drugs, and behaving in a non-spiritual way by breaking their fasts, thus encouraging others to do so, bringing in water, food, ice, etc., and other behavior not associated with the real reason to Sun Dance."
For the full message:
http://www.aimovement.org/moipr/AIM1stsundance.html
Lynne Weaver
25 comments:
This response, from AIM, should not take away from any of the positive feeling, emotions or spiritual awakening that might have been experienced while attending the Sault Sun Dance. The search for a spiritual connection through the Sun Dance is a wonderful opportunity. This is no place for boasting an affiliation that doesn't exist. Contracts or association are not what makes this event credible or attractive.
To avoid this embarrassment in the future, let's make sure that the "organizers" that are given credit for its formation, have a reputable history so as to not cast a shadow over such an event. I would like to see our elected unit directors promote and take part in this event. Perhaps Deb Pine, Cathy McCoy Abramson, Bernard Bouschor, Patrick Rickley, Catherine Hollowell and Lana Causley will take the lead on legitimizing this relevant experience.
I recall the early days of AIM when many of them, even some mentioned n this article, operated on the wrong side of the law and engaged in many of the acts they now accuse those in the Sault of engaging in. I am wondering why this post appeared so quickly on the heels of the one Charles posted. Is this something that started on Nathan's site ?
C'mon Charles. I know its you. You been making the same comments about Nathan on the STG. Here's a new indian word for ya, kwitcherbitchin. You're really acting like an ornery old SOB on here and on the STG. You're the only one who calls it Nathan's site and you're always trying to start arguments with people who are trying to help.
I guess you got me figured out.
Not Charles. And, it is Nathan's site, so there is nothing wrong with calling it that. If Charles is making comments about Nathan on his site then they are well deserved. Trashing Charles post with some garbage about AIM not endorsing the sundance is a real cheap shot at Charles. Since when does AIM have to endorse a sundance ?
I think Nathan and Charles are pretty clear where they stand. They are both strong personalities and it has been implied that I am also one of those 'strong' personalities.
There will always be competition between strong-minded individuals because that is who we are. We can swagger in the middle to stay safe and make everyone wonder where we stand or we can do what we do and make it clear who we are.
Look at the positive side...we aren't afraid to speak up and I am happy to speak on behalf of those who can't for a variety of reasons.
I think if one takes a minute to look at the full situation answers come. In the not so distance past we had both Lynne and Charles posting ongoing timely information. There was never any discord between the two and Lynne often posted Charles' articles. There was no name calling or competition or negativity. Now comes Nathan and all of a sudden people are at each other's throats, elders are being trashed and there is much discord. The good things about Lynne's and Charles' site are being eroded. It is not too difficult to figure out who the trouble maker is here.
I respect Charles for his individual perspective just as I respect Nathan for his. One is older and wiser in many aspects and the younger is wiser in the ways of Native American traditions and his views on who we have become.
Both have so much to contribute whether they are similar or not. We can't just accept one person's perspective as the whole picture because that is simply too narrow-minded. I know that I don't reflect the views of everyone I come in contact with, which is why I post almost all comments and newsworthy articles...to reflect different opinions. The only comments I don't publish are those that are purely diminishing and negative and serve no purpose other than to insult.
I try to publish most of Charles articles but they are already sent to a large audience so I don't want to be continuously redundant. If someone is looking to my site for news, I don't want them to find something they have already read elsewhere unless the point is important enough to be repetitive.
P.S. Sometimes I am just short on time and/or forget to go back and pull email posts that I intended to publish.
For the record me and Charles get along just fine. Consider us one of the many personalities who contribute to STG. Do we always agree? No. Do we debate, sometimes. Lately we have been throwing jokes at each other in a sarcastic non attack way. There are several other who contribute as well and have their own personalities going. SO a one time event between me and CHarles is in the past. Re. Sundance, I have no problem with it and support it. Re. AIM's e-mail, I think it is something both sides need to work out. I probably would have waited before sending something out this soon (AIM). This should not take away from the sacrifices the dancers are making. If anything throw your support for the dancers now as they dance. Administrative issues concerning this can be worked out. Whether AIM supports or does not, sundances in the area will hopefully continue. But at the same time, I respect AIM's concern to protect their identity if wrongfully used but they should talk directly with the organizers of the Sault Sundance and reach and understanding.
Sure! LOL! I am just kidding for those who do not have a sense of humor.
Just for the record, I feel Nathan and Lynne are doing a good job moderating STG. The longer I see them at it, the more I continue to see them doing a good job, the more I appreciate and respect them for it. They both have good things in them that are and that have been of great benefit to this tribe. Period.
To the last poster...Thanks so much for the very kind words. They mean a lot to me.
To hear that there is actually a spiritual (anything) event, for the Sault Tribe people, is wonderful.
However, please don't tell me that the spiritual leader is none other than
Patrick...AKA...vile, vulgar and despicable...McCoy.
He has been an embarrassment to his sister ever since she first ran for office. His rants were directed at her opponents and were always filled with vulgar obscenities.
His suggested affiliation to AIM is typical of a stunt McCoy would pull to get attention.
if the sun dance organizers are truly trying to experience a spiritual connection why are they using deceptive advertising? have they become so accustomed to lying that it has become second nature to them? in order for the sun dance to have real meaning those conducting and taking part should at the very least be above reproach. instead they use a.i.m. and individuals not participating as endorsements to give their dance some semblance of legitimacy and importance. maybe a.i.m. should sue for false advertising.
Cathy Abramson does not need anyone to make her look bad. She does a great job of that herself. In fact, she protected Patrick and made Bernard, who was chair at the time, keep Patrick employed in a job at the casino for over a full year after everyone else in his small department had been laid off. Do not be fooled, Cathy has protected Patrick and been very , very viscous and vindictive to anyone who has even hinted at disaproval of him or who wanted to keep him at arm's length.
Cathy Abramson does not need anyone to make her look bad. She does a great job of that herself. In fact, she protected Patrick and made Bernard, who was chair at the time, keep Patrick employed in a job at the casino for over a full year after everyone else in his small department had been laid off. Do not be fooled, Cathy has protected Patrick and been very , very viscous and vindictive to anyone who has even hinted at disaproval of him or who wanted to keep him at arm's length.
Like usual Pat McCoy antics. He seems to think he is above everyone.
Cathy Abramson is out for her family. Period ! Anyway who is taken in by her oh so nicey nice unit reports or her constant photos in the paper doing good deeds is not paying attention to the facts. Her children all received preferential treatment in terms of scholarhip and internships with the tribe . Her non native husband had his education paid for by the tribe and outright given a high paying job. Her brothers , sisters and extended family were all well cared for. During the time Bernard was in office all Cathy had to do was march in his office and demand some fav for her family and she got it. And she did all this without batting an eye or feeling an ounce of guilt for taking away benefits from more deserving members. Cathy is very much part of the core problem with the tribe, but she hides it well.
Cathy Abramson is out for her family. Period ! Anyway who is taken in by her oh so nicey nice unit reports or her constant photos in the paper doing good deeds is not paying attention to the facts. Her children all received preferential treatment in terms of scholarhip and internships with the tribe . Her non native husband had his education paid for by the tribe and outright given a high paying job. Her brothers , sisters and extended family were all well cared for. During the time Bernard was in office all Cathy had to do was march in his office and demand some fav for her family and she got it. And she did all this without batting an eye or feeling an ounce of guilt for taking away benefits from more deserving members. Cathy is very much part of the core problem with the tribe, but she hides it well.
Why would a comment by Deb Pine, Cathy McCoy Abramson, Bernard Bouschor, Patrick Rickley, Catherine Hollowel and Lana Causley legitimize this in any way? Unless it's nothing more than a political statement or bte getter? Politics and Spiritualism do not mix-unless you are a spirited poltician!! LOL
They would not serve to legitimize the event. That was a joke...sorry that I didn't make that clear.
These people are the ones that pretend to be good practicing Indians. They use the culture card when they are trying to get elected. They use it in their Board Notes to cover for all that they lack in common sense and good judgement. These are the same people that are sucking the tribe dry.
I was simply suggesting that they might even go so far as to attend one of the Sun Dances...to get the vote. I believe that they are so greedy that they would consider it.
Watch for wolves in sheeps clothing
A wolf in sheep's...I know exactly who you are referring to.
2014 In The Spirit Of Cazyhorse Sundance Sault Ste Marie MI
$20.000 dollars Missing and no one was paid for helpping nor Was Mr. Tree Cody for his preformance
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