Concentration Camps, Genocide, In the U.S? 150-year-old Letters Give Voice to Dakota Prisoners

Honoring Story According to Tradition: It needs to be pointed out, these stories are passed on over generations from storyteller to storyteller for sharing with the people. Although we -all- can learn and talk about story -after listening-, only -appointed- storytellers, those recognized by the appropriate elders as having truly taken on that medicine, may rightfully steward the story/stories for the people.

A storyteller is one who has become awakened to the truth of theirself as recognized thru the sacred story (/stories), who awakens in their dreamwalk, and who learns how to speak to it (sing and dance it), and is able to dedicate their life (and has done so) to walking the path of traditional healing.

A storyteller's job is to protect the legacy of the people, and their connection with what they hold sacred. A storyteller's medicine is as sacred and powerful as any (other) -medicine- man's or woman's. In western terms, a storyteller is as much a Phd'd physician as any other doctor.

Of course, each, as an individual, carries their own understanding to 'the truth'. To their own medicine. So one could only ever carry the story in their own words, certainly not the words of another. This is why the position, the rite, of storyteller is so carefully protected.
!***As words and expression may change over time, the meanings could be carelessly and easily lost, and the legacy of the people become corrupted. So it is critically important an individual meets all the criteria before one may be blessed with the charge for responsibility of storyteller.

This is why we can hear so many variations to the same story, but the elders will emphasize that the story never be changed... it is one in the same immutable story and thus is sacred (steadfast and hardened as stone or ice..;^), but it can only ever be told from a personal perspective. (This is not unique to indigenous culture here... in fact, almost all cultural mythos share this quality.)

I believe western mind regards this as a paradox, however, indigenous mind regards this not only as inevitable, but quite natural (and without contradictory character).

So when we talk about "one who left and later returned"... it is only an -aspect-, a way of telling, of the story. The aspects simply speak to the various ways in which our minds may access the truth of the story within ourselves, the listeners, and at different points along our path.
It is natural to embrace things in unique ways at different -levels- thru our lives...

This is why story is shared with people at all ages. The medicine is not exclusive to those with so-called 'developed' minds, for the mind is only one aspect of our whole being, ...and we are transformed, we grow and learn, thru movement of the 'whole being', not just the mind.

-----------------
In one way of telling, we may paint a picture of, say, one who leaves and one who stays, and describe their unique gifts accordingly, etc. Another way paints a picture of two parts functioning as a whole, with no delusions of separation. These differences reflect various unique ways in which we can access and understand the -same- information. It is the information of us, that lives within us.

So any way it is told, if it is by one who understands, it all leads back to illuminating the same truths and intentions. To striking the same chords within a person. They only need be open to the sound...

.......That is why I said 'no thing was ever lost, only the understanding to a thing may be misplaced or disregarded'. And that's okay. The field of life is so multidimensional... it is capable of holding all our dreams, and each being's process toward awakening, should they choose that. The stone was never meant to be a -statutory law- that -binds- us, but a revelation of -what- binds us unto life... A tool, an insight, to facilitate the truth unto whatever path one may choose, or need to experience for unraveling the mystery of their own understanding to the truth.

Well, I hope this strikes a harmonic note for some ;^)
yuonihaya mita wastelakapi
mitakuye oyasin
TwoHawks

Story of the Stone... @CoolPlanet: Those are actually great questions about "the stone"! If I may be so bold ...while I wouldn't presume to be able to -answer- those questions, I would like to share a fragment of my exploration into those questions for myself (in terms of the indigenous mythos inferred here).

(And while this could seem self-centered or off-topic, hopefully it will become clear it is anything but. The article posted here is intensely upsetting for many people. It is they who are my primary concern here. I post this for posterity. Posted in three parts.)

===========================
Sorry, coolplanet, the stone definitely will not be turning up at the Antiques Road Show anytime soon, but that doesn't mean we cannot find it, see it, hear it, smell it or taste it ...there, or anywhere.

Its not actually missing, only ...it -is- awaiting our re-membering of it. But what might that even mean?

Stone generally means "that ('expression' ..of 'fire' or 'many') which has become hardened" (or become one or singular). Something that of 'its own -natural- expression' is not solid ..that has 'trans-formed' into a solid state (or a 'singularly continuous' state). Indeed, in some etymologies it shares a root with the word "icicle".

And actually, the "medicine stone" you speak of (the way -you- heard the story, evidently) is sometimes referred to as a 'tablet' which was inscribed upon by Creator and ultimately passed on to the would-be stewards of life on earth. In some other cultures' mythos there are scripts from 'the gods' (if you will) typically referred to as a 'law', which, while not absolutely inaccurate, we find can be misleading (and grossly misused).

In our indigenous cultures this so-called 'law' may be more accurately said to be a special 'message', a 'Song' in fact, that was 'shared' (gifted) by Creator, and to be cherished by the people (all life) here. (This is also mirrored in some other ancient cultural mythos, btw.)

It is called the (living) "Song of Creation". And this (living) 'stone' upon which its prime-root is inscribed, which is 'stewarded' by "the brothers", is said in some 'tellings' to have become 'split in half'. But really, this is not telling us of a 'terrible' thing ...only telling us something of its true living nature, and ours, and our process...

The nature of 'the stone', and its life, is intrinsically tied to the nature and lives of the brothers themselves... who are not only Twins, but it is the, lets say for now, "unique connection they hold -between- them" that -sustains- all things on the earth. You may think of it like the field of energy held between the poles of the earth, that sustains an environment for life to flourish.

The poles, although divided (even 'opposed'), are twins that are intrinsically and inexplicably connected. One would not exist without the other, for they define not only one another, but the whole field (of life) holding the stone of the earth -and- holding the twins (life field) as well.

The field lines of the earth are like lines of communication (held between the twins). They are both rooted in staid patterns (like a grid), and also dance and sing (in infinite flowing harmonics [waves and vibrations]), making the planet an 'instrument of life'. It is their 'song' together, thru their unique connection, that sustains their life, and all life.

--------------------
This may be likened unto the -writing- immutably etched into the stone tablets (in -that- telling of the story). It defines the immutably unique connection held by the twins. You might say that the relationship between the twins is hardened, i.e., steadfast and inexplicable ...as hard, as singular, as stone or ice.

And just as the stone 'that is the earth' holds within it a fire, and/or as Her water holds within it the fire of life (the ignition within our cells [electrolyte], that sustains us), we may say that it is the unique solidarity of the twins' relationship, the musical composition of it, that is written upon the stone ('of foundation'), that sustains the ever churning fire of life... both the field that sustains it from without, and the fuel that sustains it from within.

The relationships patterned/scribed in the Song are specific (meaning staid and immutable).
The resulting/revealed melody of the music is infinite in its multidimensional expression (of life).
Thus infinite relationships are spawned and facilitated from an immutable root-pattern.
(I could do better, but anyway...).

-------------------
The 'twins' were given the task of 'keeping the world in order'. The way for doing this was inscribed onto the tablets so we could never forget ...who we are, or the pathway for true knowingness.
The only thing that was ever asked of the people was to "Sing the Song of Creation", naturally, as this is the key to life (that has been gifted).

Pretty simple really.

So, in terms of this mythos anyway, I would submit that you (we all) already know what 'this stone' looks like, smells like, tastes like, and if it makes a sound, i.e., what it "feels" like (how we can sense and know it)....
Silly person..., it smells and tastes like ice creme, of course! (And makes that 'yummy' sound as it goes down ;^)
There again, mine doesn't taste like -liver ice creme-, but to each his own.

What I mean is, I would say that one only senses and 'knows' the "stone qualities" (hear, touch, taste, -feels it-) when one walks in 'right relation' with what one 'holds in the highest esteem'.
Since there is no 'wrong' realation, then I guess that may mean it all depends on our awareness and interpretations -while in- relation (in any/every moment).

-----continued in next--------------

Above I said: "...deep in some inner indigenous circles, issues of responsibilities on that side are spoken of as well. This is in a totally different demeanor, and I cannot elaborate, but it is true nonetheless. ....ultimately I don't see it as a pissing match, of left against right, or whites against colors... ...to my mind, we have 'arrived'. We are all here now....."
That I would -presume- to speak or infer certain things or draw certain conclusions and is going to piss some people off, even worse if it does not reflect the truth or appears to scoff at traditional values...

It is a very sensitive area in indigenous cultures (where I am familiar, anyway) to presume to speak about certain things "outside the inner circle"... even to hint at certain things. Even worse if you presume to make shit up (speak 'knowledgeably' about something you actually know nothing about), or worse yet, if you were brought into it from outside (and know better).

Even so, there are those among us, including even some medicine people and elders, who are crossing boundaries... not out of disrespect or ignorance, but with a mind to the new world of change we now find ourselves in, and understanding the sacred values illuminated in traditions. However, some do not recognize or acknowledge such, and there are sore inner divisions (readily witnessed).

Following is what I -can- elaborate on (and should) that touches upon these boundaries of where I said I -cannot-. The relevance for doing so here is for the sake of those I love and respect and with whom I share the path of healing, who may be gazing upon this page who may feel great pain and sorrow and/or outrage...

======= Weight, Memory, Healing and Responsibility ============
..O'oo ky wah..

A simple example, if you will... I have brothers and sisters who, burdened in their memory and with that of their ancestors, carry a tremendous weight of loss and suffering that has lead them into despair and hate, with (seemingly) no medicine powerful enough to quell the ravages of this, seemingly at times, inescapable disease.
For many it is a relentless inferno of hell. So long it has been, for some they do not even see it anymore.

In as much as the root cause of the 'disease' is so different, so totally unique for each 'side', many are realizing that the 'fabled brother' (in one telling of the story) is suffering no less than --the very same disease--. That, rather than being on opposite sides of a fence, they are actually "sleeping" (asleep) together. I do not point my finger, rather I witness the voice of many of my brethren who have been sharing this realization, their stories, with me.

Hate is hate, bigotry is bigotry, no matter who is carrying it. I have said, there is no right vs left, white vs color. This is the realization for many of us ...when we get right down to it. But some feel guided differently by traditions.

The past is the past. Traditional values are no less important now than they were then, however, our traditions exist, we steward them, to help us remember who we are,
and to --make us strong--,
--not to make the tradition strong--.
"Patriotism is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit." - Emma Goldman

That's a politically slanted inference, but it is no less the same for obsession in tradition. Its the 'obsession' aspect of this that is particularly crippling, that is the 'superstition', the trap, not the traditions themselves. And not the spirit or act of 'honoring' them.
I believe that our beloved elder who spoke at the U.N. (in '99, not '98), Chief Dan Evehema, understood this, and sought to enlighten the people in this regard. Don't take my word for anything, find his speech, witness and reflect on his words. They are shared for -all- people. Look for the proclamations of the other elders who began speaking out near the beginning of the '90s. They all bore the same witness before their passing, as others continue to do so.

----- One Reflection -------------
So a loved one expressed to me... "When I come up against these (particular) guys I am torn inside by this very deep old memory and powerful hate that wells up from the memory in my scars. It eats at me, and stands, at times, between me and what I love, blinding me to my medicine. There is that part of me that sees them as invalid and wishes to kill them, I want them to simply 'go away', but our traditions point me to something greater within myself, and I cannot ignore that, for they are my connection to my medicine."

"I was taught there is nothing that does not live, and there is no invalid life. If I presume there is then I presume to invalidate my own. So I begin to see that I come up against these guys because my healing process is shared, intimately bound, with theirs. Their ancestors savagely killed mine. They hated each other then, and we continue in hating now, driven by memory (truth) we would rather forget altogether, yet cannot escape. I begin to realize how, actually, we are the same. We are working the same problem. And we are connected for a purpose."

"I realize now that -we- are the only ones who can stop this, who can heal -each other-, for all our sake. We must create a bridge if we are to heal our peoples and mother earth. So when I approach these guys, I talk to my hate, and to my memory and my ancestors, and I ask Great Spirit for strength to 'help forgiveness become embraced in my heart', forgiveness for myself, forgiveness for them, ...so that my love and my medicine may flow, and healing may lift us up."

"It is so challenging to accept and embrace my hate, to walk 'responsibly' with it, to process it (with my medicine) rather than rage with it, as the loss and sorrow I feel is so overwhelming. But, indeed, it is the hate that eats at me more than the painful memory ever could. The hate smites me, but actually, the memory speaks to a pathway, and when I really follow the guidance of my medicine I see that it is actually freeing me to knowing who I am, and recognizing the medicine of this pathway we have created together. It is not only mine. And I feel I must honor that, or forsake all I cherish."

(That is just a fragment, of course, and not entirely adequate I'm sure, but hopefully it provides some insight to the roots from one perspective. )

#### Harsh Reality, Judgment, Compassion and Healing #########
..Yuonihaya..

THERE ARE THOSE "on both sides" who fear the truth in these letters (witness what is stated in that article). My heart goes out for those carrying great trepidation of the memory of their ancestors, and fearing the truths of betrayal, failure, etc.

**I pray our brethren may hold out compassion and forgiveness for them. For us. We have all participated. We must all 'work the problem' together, for it is not solely the burden of 'those over there'.

Traditions aim to teach how we may hold one another, an dsteward what we carry together ...as free individuals, and this world in peace. We do well to realize that it is not tradition that binds us to hold judgment out on our brethren or ourselves, but it is only -we- who bind -ourselves- in judgment.
.By choice. Traditions show us our -choices-.
Tradition challenges us to keep changing, to open up, to grow, not to become stagnant or binded in judgment. We have free choice. We can choose to steward healing for one another. We must do so if we are to live free again.

mita wastelakapi, wayo kapi -
mitakuye oyasin
A'ho.

Now that the comments have died down a bit, I am going to take some liberties to be posting what I think is some very pertinent info under this topic, for posterity purposes mostly, with a mind toward my loved ones, i.e., those (most of them native) who may be intensely effected by this news who may stumble upon this, or are tuning in. This is a huge issue of pain and healing for many.

The posts will be a bit lengthy and detailed, which is why I am posting this 'heads up'. One of them will include a response to a question posted here. I will begin posting this evening.

This is simply a heads up considering that "quips" are the typical forage here, and sudden lengthy posts can tend to put people off (especially sometimes mine ;^).

Blessings and peace, TwoHawks

Earlier I made -too casual- a reference where I said "...I cannot elaborate..." and such... however, I realized after rereading it, in proper consideration for those I respect and the capacity that I serve in my circle, I am going to have to follow up on that.

With respect to the thread, I am going to wait a day or so because I don't want to "dominate the rap". I think it does well to allow others time to read and respond (which can usually take at least a couple days) without being flooded with info or too many long posts in a row.

If i could travel back in time i'd go to 1491 and make sure Colombus never made it back to Europe!

wait, there were other people here before us? i guess good to see documentation that better details the genocide, but wasn't trail of tears, etc... enough?

And, although I didn't think so, remanns, (because it stands perfectly on its own), just in case there was something directed personally in your remark (because there could be)..., for the record...

Although I am not directly descended of the so-called "conquerors" in America, I consider myself no less 'responsible', having taken on the progeny (including programming) of the federation here. And I will tell you also (and some of my loved ones will not like hearing this and/or will scoff) that deep in some inner indigenous circles, issues of responsibilities on that side are spoken of as well. This is in a totally different demeanor, and I cannot elaborate, but it is true nonetheless. That all said, ultimately I don't see it as a pissing match, of left against right, or whites against colors... each has responsibilities...

...to my mind, we have 'arrived'. We are all here now. One of the last living revered elders even spoke it, and not just to the tribes (as would be typical), but to all people (in a statement before the U.N. circa~'98), "We are the ones we have been waiting for." This is a very big deal, for an elder charged with stewarding the record of the people to share that message -> as having to do with all peoples, not just the 'indigenous' peoples, and in direct association [no less] with the indigenous prophetic record (which is what he spoke of before the U.N. on that day).
(I think it could be difficult for 'outsiders' to appreciate just how outrageous this is, since they don't think in the same way.)

...Anyway..., the 'fabled' "brother of the east" has returned (indigenous prophecy). Its been hell to pay. However, when all is said and told, it comes down to this... that each has much to share with, and learn from, the other. I.e., no one's truth (or 'medicine') is any more sacred than the other's... for ultimately they are one (and that's the whole thing right there). Until an honest reckoning is realized, on all sides, and together, our humanity will hang in the balance.

That's my take on it, anyway. The tough news is, the way its looking now, that 'idyllic' day looks to be generations away (in any practical sense), and we may not really have that kind of time left. So I am sure the reality of any sort of reckoning is going to look very different from anything 'truth' we might imagine.

(Damn, I am such a windbag - sorry.)
Anyway, thank you for that most enlightened & apropos remark ;^)

@remanns - that is so succinctly spot on.

Reminds me... My father challenged me during a conversation once, "...why do you say "that's bigotry"... who are you to cry 'bigotry' anyway?"

I said, "I know it and can recognize it because of the revelation of my own arrogance and bigotry, and having chosen to look at it! Because in my struggle to understand my own I realize more the difference between the disease and myself, and to be able to recognize it when at play, even when it is subtle and presumably well hidden.

And the only way I can be liberated of this -imposed- foul disposition/programming is by looking at it, acknowledging it, speaking to it, and revealing it when it shows itself... whether its me seeing it, or someone else pointing it out.

For it is not truly me - I did not choose this programming; and placating it, especially in its more subtle expressions, can only serve to feed its root, and blind us more to the actual truth, and bury us deeper in our fears and delusions.

There are those who may choose to live there, and that is their choice, however, it is not where I choose to live. Hence, it would be irresponsible, or at least hipocritical, of me not to speak candidly about it - or I will never figure it out and get past it."

First - admit you have a problem . . .

I was moved to see Prof Canku work on this, and the aire/attitude of interest being expressed by his colleagues, ...it warmed my heart a little in the face of the harsh 'news' these letters reveals, ...especially considering the overt disregard that largely exists for considering the state of indigenous peoples, ...especially with consideration of the attitude of the conquerors and their descendants ...and their view of themselves as being so spiritually progressive and compassionate. (am I making that up?)

Not that I do not meet a lot of compassionate people, I do... but it never ceases to amaze me just how many seemingly good folk really could give a shit about any 'colorful' folk, or even their neighbors. Usual response I get is 'that's their sorry effing problem... we shouldn't let that rain on our parade'.

By and large most I meet think considerations for our connectedness (in humanity) is an isolated spiritual or religious concern/consideration, to something 'outside of us', and thus has no scientific matter (read: relevant to 'reality' or our statutory needs for living prosperously and in well being as a society [for creating a strong community]). That seems a bit deluded to me.

I think political 'partying' (divisiveness) feeds this notion. It is easy to live in 'that mindset' (fight for the right, or left), though, considering this is the dominant modus on the planet. There again, living for power thru dominion, which dictates and validates "invalidating other life for want for ones' self" ...it is thus easy to forget who you/we are.

Hope that makes sense, my use of english is challenging (I know). What I come to is that, indeed, as artemis points out, it is incumbent upon us to look at the truth, however painful, or we will never find the strength to remember, and embrace, who we really are, and make that truly matter in this world (despite the dominant or prevalent wind that is blowing now).

Terrible , we should not hide the truth , especially from ourselves . Without the truth , you have nothing . It can happen again and again if we forget .

Nothing pretty about war. Never has been an Never will be.

Every time I turn the computer on I learn of some group of people being tortured and discriminated against. The real frustrating thing is not being able to stop their torture and the knowledge that my government is promoting it.