360: Sundance Season: August 9, 2007

I want to offer my prayers of thanksgiving to all those who are sacrificing (and have sacrificed) their lives on our behalf by dancing those 4 days in the sun, Wiwangyang Wacipi.

There is a Wacipi going on in N.D. these here days, and I thank all of you who read this for praying for those who are making that sacrifice so that we all might live and that these ceremonies never die.

Thank-you to my "sister" Manuela...for you I eat well and drink plenty of water!



Elder's Meditation of the Day - August 8



"The Creator told everyone of us in our tribal beginnings to look after our ceremonies, and each other."

--Barney Bush, SHAWNEE



Our ceremonies are important and each has a purpose. They teach us about the Creator and about each other. The ceremonies teach us to be humble and teach us to pray. They teach us to look inside ourselves. We should remember to pray each morning. Ask the Creator to guide our thinking. Think only good thoughts. Think good thoughts about our relatives and about our brothers and sisters. Pray for our children in ceremony. Give thanks to the Great Mystery for life. All life is sacred. Pray in a sacred way.


Oh Great Spirit, I come to You this morning in ceremony. I come to this sacred place to talk to You. I thank You for Your guidance and protection. Give me Your eyes today so I may see the beauty in all things.

360: Inipi Protocol: August 1, 2007

These instructions were handed down to my Tiospaye by Wallace Black Elk and Grace Spotted Eagle:

These ways are sacred...we ask that you Respect them as you would have us respect your ways...

1. Please listen to the Firekeeper & person running the lodge, they will instruct you. Please refrain from saying "That's not how I was taught!" There are 500+ nations and many Clans within those Nations, we all have our different Altars & instructions.

2. The fire and the altar are Sacred. Please refrain from: walking between the lodge, altar & fire path; placing, touching, or removing anything on the altar; putting anything into the fire (including tobacco) without first asking the Firekeeper.

3. Women, Please keep yourself covered at all times: loose dresses, skirts and tees are to be worn both outside and inside of the lodge.

4. If you are in need of special prayers it is appropriate to offer the person running the lodge a package of tobacco and presenting your request. It is also a good thing to offer both the Firekeeper & person running the lodge tobacco as a thank-you for their "give-away".

5. Please do not wear your medicine objects, jewelery or contact lenses into the lodge, give them to the Firekeeper for safe keeping.

6. Please humble yourself by entering the lodge on your hands & knees and saying "Mi Takuye Oyacin" or "We Are All Related".

7. There are times of silence, Please respect them and ask permission to speak. In the same manner, Please do not sing louder than the main singer, or shout your prayers...Spirit can hear you and knows what is in your heart.

8. Yes it is Hot inside the lodge. This is not a torture chamber, we are not here to make you suffer....put your head to the ground (the earth will cool you), pray harder, or wait until there is silence and ask "Permission to leave". However, DO NOT EVER stick your body parts outside of the lodge in order to cool off...You do not know what is out there, and we Do Not want you bringing it inside, it could harm someone.

9. When the Canunpa is passed to you (and you don't want to smoke it), take it with the bowl in your left hand & stem in the right and touch your right shoulder then your left with the stem and pass it on.

10. If there is a pot-luck afterwards, bring the food you like to eat to share...please bring your own plate, cup & utensils as often as possible.

11. A lodge with Integrity NEVER Charges for ceremony or "shames" you into making a donation to support the person running the lodge. However, it is a good thing to make a donation for/of firewood, blankets, and tarps for the lodge itself.

12. We come in Peace to Pray....Alcohol, Drugs, and Weapons Are Forbidden!

13. Come early, stay late, help set up & clean up...you'll learn alot.

Mi Takuye Oyacin

360: Tobacco Offerings: July 27, 2007

This is why, when I go out to the land, I put down tobacco. I know my
prayers are heard, for all involved. For the land, the Spirits of the land,
the crops (pumpkins & gourds), for the one who care takes that land & crops, and for myself.

I believe putting down tobacco (and cedar) really does make a difference,
and the love & caring (even though not evident) it is there and on a soul's
level can be felt...and even the most wee bit of love can be felt....
Whether we choose to allow that wee bit of love into our hearts (to mend our
bruised ego and comfort us) is something else.

When kind words and loving actions fail....I rely on the tobacco and Creator
to let my heart be revealed. For that is all that remains to be done.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - July 29

"When we want to talk to Him we burn tobacco and it takes our prayers all
the way up to the Sky World."
--Louis Farmer, ONONDAGA


Our herbs and our medicines are all here for the purpose of serving.
Offering tobacco as a gift to the Creator is proper use of our medicine. In
this way, we are able to communicate from the physical world to the
spiritual world. Sometimes we have a hard time coming up with the right
words when we pray especially if we are really mixed up. The tobacco and the
sage will take the intent to the spirit world. The meaning behind the words
are more important the the words. The Creator always knows our intent. The
tobacco helps us get to the Sky World.


Today, my Creator, I offer You this tobacco. I want to thank You for being
in my life. I want to tell You how much I appreciate the honor of being here
to serve You. Tell me this morning what I can do for You. You are the reason
I live.