Ric , as I have said before , I'm sorry if our different understandings and concerns offended you . I already acknowledged this in another thread.
My first post in this forum was on the subject of the sale of sage and sweet grass. You joined in this discussion, to present a different point of view. When I began this thread i had no idea you had plans to sell this as a business. So my concerns about this had nothing at all to do with
"you" . IMO if anyone was personally attacked in this thread it was me
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=580.0;allWhen you started a thread on your business , I will admit my question asking if this was a fancy way of selling sweetgrass, was rude , but in the discussion in the above thread, the only thing that you talked about specifically, was selling sweetgrass, so it was an honest misunderstanding . When you explained what you were doing, I agreed most of what you planned to sell sounded entirely positive.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=877.0 The next discussion we had I asked a bunch of questions trying to clarify how it should be decided what parts of cultural traditions can be sold if people that culture belongs to don't agree.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=412.0;allTo discredit me, you are putting meaning into what was said that was not there. Whether you honestly heard this in your own mind or whether you are just twisting my words into he ugliest possible interpretation to make me look bad I won't bother guessing , but I do feel you are misrepresenting what I said.
Why? I have shown ample proof in on line links there really is many traditional people who believe sage and sweetgrass should not be sold. I am not just making this up . Why do I deserve to be criticized and attacked by you for remembering these teachings?
I did not learn this on the internet, as you keep trying to suggest to further discredit me, but I did try to find references to this on the internet as I don't expect anyone to just take my word for this.
Not once have you acknowledged that there are many traditional people and Elders who are uncomfortable to see this being sold.
Instead, you have posted here 123 times , mainly talking about integrating traditional knowledge with a modern economy . Sometimes you announce to the world you are Metis and occaisionally you say someone else isn't. Sometimes you contribute a helpful piece of local information. In response to my direct questions about where you draw the line on the issue of selling something some traditional people say should not be sold, you have assured me that you don't ever believe ceremonies should be commercialize.
I'm not saying I don't find what you contribute here helpful, and except for our personal dispute you seem like a nice enough person , but I do notice that in all of these 123 posts only once do i see where you have felt to say anything that might be interpreted as opposing people selling ceremonies , teachings or Medicines. ( except in response to me directly asking where you stand )
This comment can be found here;
"But people never donate enough"
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2006, 11:13:02 am »
Ric
Tansi;
When my Grandmother would be asked to provide her special form of assistance, the people asking for help would send a buggy to pick her up and take her to where she was needed. When she arrived, and until she was finished, she was fed and given a place to sleep and work. Afterwards, she was returned to her home, with Gifts that would help to provide for her daily needs.
In modern terms, this can be translated as transportation, meals and accommodation as well as something for her time, experience and knowledge.
In Saskatchewan, there are a number of First Nation communities who provide finances for Traditional Healers to come to their communities to work with their particular Gifts. At some of these, medical forms are required for payment and the term "health practitioner" is crossed off, and replaced with "Traditional Healer." Many of the people attending will also give gifts to the Healers, often including money, as well as blankets, tobacco and other items.
These are some of the ways that our First Nations communities are dealing with the modern realities, which include the need for money to provide for the needs of those who they consider Gifted with Traditional Healing Ways.
From your behavior I am guessing your main interest in being here is exploring how to integrate traditional knowledge into a modren economy, and I also understand you have an interest in Native people retaining the right to do this for their own benifit .
For the most part I really respect your position, and i am willing to believe you honestly want what you see as best for your community. But I also have the right to bring attention to the traditional people who feel uncomfortable by the sale of some of the things you want to include in your buisness plans , and I shouldn't have to have my words or motives twisted into something ugly for doing this .
You talk about how I have offended you. Do you have any idea how offensive your continued attack on me for remebering teachings I recieved from Elders could be, if I was inclined to take offence? The thing is, I'm not. We are all here to exchange ideas and learn, and i don't see the point.
On the internet I try to speak clearly and address the issues. In real life I am usually much less direct. I just don't see the point in beating around the bush on the issues we are trying to discuss here in cyberspace.
