I want to thank everyone who have rallied to support me and show that I have widespread legitimate support for what I do.
First, I want to point out that I am disappointed that the person who first dragged my name onto this board did not have the courtesy to contact me with any questions they may have had. NAFPS, as I understand it is not a sole authority on who is a fraud or exploiting traditional Native spirituality, but it can cause harm or suspicion to a person. Maybe this incident will cause NAFPS to review its policy and will contact the "accused' before any disparaging remarks can be made public on the board.
Since there was a broad and vague accusation or insinuation that my work and non-profit organization is not on the level, I would like to know exactly and to the point what it is that constitutes fraud or exploitation? No where on my website does it advertise for ceremonies, instead, it points out that we would prefer to utilize traditional values and philosophies based upon our Native spirituality to address issues or chemical abuse, prisoners support and working with youth at risk. As an organization we still have a long ways to go to create the infrastructure we need to begin providing direct and in-direct services. So is planning to develop programs to help our people - now constitute fraud or exploitation?
Another issue is that a "woodland Indian" cannot Sun Dance or be a Sun Dance Chief is a great surprise to me. In the late 60's and early 70's, after the formation of the American Indian Movement, it was Henry Crow Dog who told the AIM warriors that in order for their movement to be successful, they needed to have a spiritual foundation. This was the time when relatives from many Nations began to participate in the sweat lodge, Pipe and Sun Dance ceremonies. As a result, many of the AIM warriors who were eventually placed in state and federal prison began to make a demand for their traditional practices all across the country. This is how the Lakota ceremonies became so prevalent across the country. As for my people, we have had our cultural and spiritual evolution so disrupted due to earlier european contact that what remains of our ceremonies is now more of a public display.
For many other Native people who have lost their ceremonies due to the colonial occupation of our homelands and assimilation tactics by missionaries and the u.s. governments, we have all been thankful for a way of life that has helped our own lives.
As for Looking Horse's statement, I remember the protection of ceremonies statement. I also remember the statements by Chief Leonard Crow Dog, Chief Reggie Little Brave, and others who did not agree with the "Protection of Ceremonies" statement. I also remember being asked by many other practitioners of the Sun Dance what I thought. I expressed that until the Lakota people came to a consensus, we should continue our prayers to the Creator. I have made a commitment to this way of life and no man has the right to stand between the Creator and myself. I can't take credit for that statement, Leonard Peltier made that statement in 1990 or 91 when a Sun Dancers vigil was held in Washington, D.C. As I see it from my experience, I pray and the Creator lets me know what I must do and whenever I follow my directions, some really wonderful things have happened. So I know the Creator supports me in what I do. If anyone thinks the Creator has lied to me, the they need to take it up with some cedar, prayer and a lot respect, cause you may not get the answer you were expecting.
If each of us believed in the power of the Creator and the spirits as we all claim, then we should know that they will deal with the exploiters and frauds that has caused so many people harm. Don't get me wrong Mr. Carroll, I agree that there should be some source to allow people to be forewarned in the event a well known and proven fake preys upon the innocents, but to allow someone to be named publicly without their knowledge is unforgivable and irresponsible. I hope that the standards utilized by NAFPS will be reviewed, and that maybe they will contact me personally to ascertain the validity of the poster who brought this up. If the poster had cared enough to contact me, I would have been happy to find someone whom she may know personally, and a Lena Lenape family, in New Jersey, such as the Ridgway family.
In any event, now that I have finally had an opportunity to offer my comments here, I considered this thread at an end, and would hope that if there were any further questions, I would receive a personal message from NAFPS or Danielle. I can't promise that I will reply this weekend, but possibly next weekend as I work out of town and don't have access to a computer.
And much thanks and appreciation to my cheering section to know that I have so many relatives and family who have my back.
Ben Carnes
