My friend David Hill (Choctaw) and from Oklahoma, asked me to post this for him since he does not have internet access:
Dear Dani and webmaster:
I am responding as a person who has read your dissertation about Ben Carnes, and I assume you put it out there to get a response. Categorically speaking Dani, if you did some research about Choctaws or read some of the accounts of the old missionaries, the Choctaws did Sundance. Furthermore, because of the disruption of our culture and individual Nations, Indian people have been relocated and scattered throughout America. And, in our endeavors to survive, we have blended many of our truths that were usually kept to ourselves. Since we had a common enemy, we used common solutions. Indian People have always sought to use whatever we found to be truth. Some of those truths came from other cultures or other parts of the world and in many cases, were validated by our own experiences. Some, have even adopted other religions or traditions such as Christianity, albeit they are not themselves Jewish, Hebrew, or Israeli. That does not make them phonies but does allow them to share truths that improve the quality of their life.
In reference to Ben being a Chief, traditionally and historically, a chief among Indian People was a leader. They manifested themselves by their leadership and service to the People. They did not have the power to tell anyone to do anything other than perhaps in dealing with their own family circle. Over a period of time, the People referred to them in their own language that meant Chief or leader. In Ben’s language, the term would be “Miko???. Some tribes went so far as to develop a system for recognizing that persons willingness and natural ability to take care of the People. Today, we as Indian People have lost elements of our language. At one time we had an intertribal sign language that was used to communicate. However, today, as anyone can see, we are now using English for the most part. That does not make us phony or any less Indian. Usually when someone comes into our Circle, they ask who is in charge. They ask “who is your Chief??? or “who is your leader??? or “who is your Miko??? or whatever language is used in that circle. It takes a strong man to step forward and claim that responsibility. I am sure there are some who claim ownership of the title “Chief??? or “leader??? and are neither. In my experience, Ben Carnes is not one of those people.
I know for a fact that Ben Carnes spent time in prison during his earlier life. During his stay in prison, he educated himself to what his rights were and to the rights of others who were confined in that environment. For many years the prison systems, school systems, and other institutions have systematically tried to eliminate Indian culture in any way they could. One of the ways that was done in the prison system was to shave the heads of Indian People and refuse to let them grow their hair long. This is contrary to many of our tribal cultures and religious practices. Ben stepped forward and took responsibility to change that within the prison system. In taking that responsibility, he was physically and judicially harassed and often put in solitary confinement. But, in his quest for spiritual freedom within the system, he manifested himself as a leader to such a degree that the State of Oklahoma gave him the Oklahoma State Human Rights Award. He was successful in his endeavor to champion the rights of Indian People to practice their religion in the ways that had been denied them. When Ben was released, he continued his path in trying to help other Indian People working with different organizations, such as the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, as well as many others.
I personally knew Chief Fools Crow and Chief Billy Tayak and have personally danced at their respective Sundances as well as other places around the country. I have also attended Sundances where Ben Carnes officiated and observed him taking responsibility for making Sundance happen for those who were endeavoring to follow that path. I don’t know how many religious practices you are familiar with, (i.e. churches, temples, Sundances, synagogues) but if you paid close attention and were somewhat familiar with them, you would have noticed people from many different ethnic backgrounds in attendance. Oftentimes, the people leading the service are not from the racial or ethnic background of the country of origin for that service. In attending the many different Sundances that I’ve experienced, I have personally observed many people on different levels of spiritual progression and commitment. We all have our different levels of growth and speed of progression. I deeply appreciate the people who facilitate those ceremonies. That is a most difficult task and in most cases, these people are referred to as Sundance Chiefs or Sundance leaders. The main objective of these ceremonies is to talk to God and get a positive answer. That is what a Sundance Chief or leader is supposed to do. Having said that, I want to say that being a Sundancer is another issue itself. It too has its varied degrees of progression and responsibility. It is as varied as the people who say…. “I am a Sundancer???.
I have known Ben for many years. It has been my observation that in his heart of hearts, he does the very best he can in facilitating the Sundance and endeavoring to enhance his personal experience, understanding, and knowledge to better facilitate the Sundancers who look to him for help and guidance.
In reference to a self-sustaining community and seeking donations to bring that about, I find no fault with Ben’s endeavor in that area. I have visited his home and I know for a fact that he works for a living. I know for a fact that he does not live an ostentatious life style. His home is a very humble adobe structure and aside from the work he does to take care of his family, he spends the remainder of his time helping others and preparing for each years gathering for the Sundance. In seeking to develop a self-sustaining community, Ben is following the prophecies of our People that date back to pre-Columbian times; prophecies that told us of the coming of the non-Indian people, the scattering of our People, of great cataclysmic occurrences, as well as global warning and other calamities. The prophecies tell us to develop self-sustaining communities in mountainous areas. Many of the signs of these prophecies are now coming to pass. I see Ben doing what he has always done – rising to the occasion. It has been my observation that if you are not being critiqued or talked about, then you’re probably not doing anything.
Dani, I do not mean to hurt your feelings or demean your concerns. I only hope to educate you about a really good person that I have known for many years. He lives in the mountains and has stepped forward to put together a self-sustaining community and in some circles, he would be called a “leader??? or “Miko???.
Many of us have come a long way from our traditional cultural origin of a nature-based, self-sustaining community and in the same manner, we have a long way to go to return. I have no doubt if we were suddenly thrown in to an absolute survival mode, we would rise to the occasion. However, in developing a self-sustaining community, many of the People seeking that direction, like the Sundance, will be on different levels of experience, progression, and strengths. We use English where we once used sign language. Likewise, in this time period, we are using the resources available to us to correct some of the damage that has been done to us as a People. Resources of all kinds will help this endeavor. At this point in time, monetary resources are one of those tools. It is a reality much like the reality of using English to communicate intertribally. Perhaps in your understanding of Ben’s vision, you mistook self-sustaining for meaning primitive. In reality, it meant “self-sufficient???. And in technical terms….off the grid.
Dani, I hope this helps in some way to quell the misunderstanding that you have felt toward Ben and others. I appreciate the fact that your statements have inadvertently brought a measure of understanding to others who perhaps had the same concerns. May the Great Spirit bless you in the ways you need. And when I go to the Sundance this year, I will remember you in a good way.
David Hill
