Speaking out on the theft and abuse of spirituality

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

The full article is found here at Indian Country Today:

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415443

7/20/2007

SAN FRANCISCO - It was a strange sight, at least in East Los Angeles.

While walking her dogs recently at Arroyo Seco Park, Marisol Crisostomo-Romo, 26, said she spotted a van with a tipi on it. Into it piled a group of white children clutching bows and arrows.

They were members of the five-week-long Camp Shi'ini, ''a Native American-themed summer camp'' that is named after ''a Native American word meaning 'Summer People,''' according to its Web site.

The 60-year-old camp divides children into nine ''tribes'' and offers activities ranging from horseback riding (in the tradition of the Navajo, Comanche and Eskimo, its Web site stated) and archery (Mohawk, Seminole and Blackfoot) to fishing (Zuni, Iroquois and Apache).

Crisostomo-Romo, who is Pascua Yaqui, immediately wrote the camp a letter and e-mailed 422 people to do the same, beseeching all those ''offended and disgusted by cultural exploitation and mainstream society's self-entitlement.''

Her anger is echoed across the country by Natives who continue to be frustrated with what they view as misappropriation and abuse of spiritual and cultural practices.

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415443

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I have seen this and, because of this, have more than not shyed away from anything "openly Indian" around others...in order to not add to further misperception/misuse. I understand....many do not perceive the dabbling into traditions as a problem. I disagree. Being and living Indian is a way of life....not a weekend hobby to "dress up and act like" one. Again....it is but ignornance that we speak of here...and often innocently committed. But, regardless, it is very disrespectful in nature. Let me provide an example. The Pipe, or commonly know as the peace pipe to some, is truly an item of sacred significance to many Indian. It is a sacred means to experience "communion" between those smoking it and the Great Spirit/God. Your prayers, thoughts, yearnings rise up to the Great Spirit within the smoke. The Caucasion has something similar---> making an oath on the Bible. By placing one's hand on the Bible and taking an oath, the oath becomes sacred, a sacred vow...because God knows if you are lying or not as you speak your vow...thereby holding you accountable to your word. The placing of the hand on the Bibe evokes this sacredness. The Pipe is like the Caucasion Bible in that way...it is just THAT sacred. So sacred in that the Pipe and stem are often NOT put together, but kept separate, when not being used in a sacred manner to commune sacredly. So, the Pipe is often a sacred and holy object, not meant for any mishandling by others outside of the culture. This is important for non-native care givers to understand this when caring for a native patient. The mishandling of the Pipe, even in blind ignorance, is just as disrespectful as someone who is Protestant who dresses up like a Catholic priest, passing out bread as the body of Christ. Very distasteful and hurtful....even if done in ignorance. To many Indian, the misuse of Native Traditions and Sacred objects can and often does lead to deep frustration, resentment, and anger. If you see an native object in a patient's room, please DO NOT touch it! Ask about it and of its importance to the patient. Respect is often the first step in trust building, especially in the Native culture. Then, and only then, AFTER permission is granted to you, you may touch it. If permission is not granted to you, please respect that for what it is.....that the item is truly sacred...and often has nothing to do with you personally.

I have only spoke of the Pipe....but there are many things that are often misused, made fun with, or disrespected that are Indian in nature...hence, the article above. In fact, several threads have addressed this. So, I invite you as a member and as a reader to think back in your own life...review those times, those moments, those events, those people, those objects, those sounds, those smells, et cetera and to reflect upon those that are sacred to you for awhile...the ones you hold dear. To the Indian, our ways are just as sacred and just as dear. Please remember the sacred. Walk your walk and talk your talk in a sacred manner, not disrespecting anyone as you brush past them.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I have seen this and, because of this, have more than not shyed away from anything "openly Indian" around others...in order to not add to further misperception/misuse. I understand....many do not perceive the dabbling into traditions as a problem. I disagree. Being and living Indian is a way of life....not a weekend hobby to "dress up and act like" one. Again....it is but ignornance that we speak of here...and often innocently committed. But, regardless, it is very disrespectful in nature.

I totally agree with you, Thunderwolf. Thank you for this thread.