Warrior Nation2024-03-28T21:43:02ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMillshttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2537157878?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://warriornation.ning.com/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=lakota-culture&user=283lbrj4760zj&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCulturetag:warriornation.ning.com,2023-10-02:6193495:Topic:6664112023-10-02T15:03:16.956ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DiSZz2E7ovk?si=M5qiA393wPSvm6Z5&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Sacred Hills: Preserving Lakota Sioux Culture in South Dakotatag:warriornation.ning.com,2023-10-02:6193495:Topic:6665022023-10-02T14:59:06.695ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
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<p>The Sioux Indians were a very large Native American group that was composed of several tribal groups who all spoke a language known as Siouan. The Sioux tribes who lived west of the Missouri River are known as the Lakota and sometimes referred to as the Teton Sioux. The Lakota are comprised of seven subgroups: Oglala, Brule, Sans Arc (No Bows) Hunkpapa, Miniconjous, Sihasapa (Blackfeet), Two Kettle. Of these, the Ogalala, and the Brule, were the main tribes to roam across what is now western…</p>
<p>The Sioux Indians were a very large Native American group that was composed of several tribal groups who all spoke a language known as Siouan. The Sioux tribes who lived west of the Missouri River are known as the Lakota and sometimes referred to as the Teton Sioux. The Lakota are comprised of seven subgroups: Oglala, Brule, Sans Arc (No Bows) Hunkpapa, Miniconjous, Sihasapa (Blackfeet), Two Kettle. Of these, the Ogalala, and the Brule, were the main tribes to roam across what is now western Nebraska.</p>
<p>The Lakota gradually moved west from the tip of Lake Superior around 1700. By 1740, they had acquired horses and they became more and more nomadic, hunting game across the Central Plains. They often came into conflict with the Pawnee on these hunts. By 1780, it’s estimated that there were up to 10,000 Lakota living on the plains.</p>
<p>The Lakota had several methods for hunting bison. Sometimes, hunters on foot would disguise themselves with wolf skins and stalk the herds. During the winter, hunters with snowshoes would drive the bison into deep snow where they could be more easily killed. Sometimes, individuals on horseback would single out one animal from the herd and kill it with a lance or bow and arrow, and later with a rifle. But usually, the hunts were communal exercises. Groups of mounted horsemen could surround a herd and keep them bottled up as the hunters killed the animals. At other times, the tribe would stampede the buffalo into enclosures, blind canyons or over a cliff.</p>
<p>The various parts of the bison gave the tribe food, shelter, clothing and all kinds of tools and equipment. Before contact with Europeans, Native Americans used almost every part of the bison they killed.</p>
<p>Battle between Sioux and Sauk and Fox 1846-1848, by George Catlin</p>
<p>Battle between Sioux and Sauk and Fox 1846-1848, by George Catlin<br/> Courtesy Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph Harrison, Jr., 1985.66.545<br/> Lakota life was a man’s world in which the warrior sought personal fame through his achievements on the hunt or in warfare. For instance, there was great honor for a warrior to be the first to touch an enemy in battle — known as "counting coup." Coups were remembered and recounted by the warrior during dances and ceremonies. The successful warrior also got wealth by capturing horses from the enemy, and he could enhance his prestige by distributing horses to others in the group. Lakota values included honor, fortitude, generosity, wisdom and honesty.</p>
<p>While it was a man’s world, the women actually built and owned the tepees that the tribe lived in. The tepees were made of tanned buffalo skins supported on a framework of long poles. The women butchered the bison, dried the meat, prepared the meals, made clothes, gathered wood, water, roots and berries and cared for the children. The tribes enjoyed games, feasts, story-telling, singing and dancing. Most games involved some form of gambling — for instance, dice or the moccasin guessing game. Others were games of skill, like archery and hoop and pole.</p>
<p>Lakota religion was based on a belief in an all-pervasive, supernatural power that dwelt in the sky, earth and the four directions. Young men were often sent on a vision quest across the plains until exposure to the weather, fasting and self-torture produced dream visions. In these dreams they acquired a song, or various taboos, or medicinal objects that would protect or treat them. Each year, supernatural forces were invoked to protect the tribe in a Sun Dance and related ceremonies during the annual encampments.</p> The Pawnee and the Lakota Siouxtag:warriornation.ning.com,2020-12-29:6193495:Topic:6304902020-12-29T23:07:37.317ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362460678?profile=original" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362460678?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500"></img></a> <br></br> Hunting camp of the Pawnee Tribe pitched near a kill site</p>
<p>Hunting camp of the Pawnee Tribe pitched near a kill site<br></br> Image by Linda Meigs. Courtesy Nebraska Game and Parks Commission<br></br> The Pawnee was one of the earliest Native American tribes to be described in the European historical record, and they were one of the largest groups to live and roam…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362460678?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362460678?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="500"/></a><br/> Hunting camp of the Pawnee Tribe pitched near a kill site</p>
<p>Hunting camp of the Pawnee Tribe pitched near a kill site<br/> Image by Linda Meigs. Courtesy Nebraska Game and Parks Commission<br/> The Pawnee was one of the earliest Native American tribes to be described in the European historical record, and they were one of the largest groups to live and roam across the territory. Their name most likely comes from a Pawnee word for horn which was “Pariki” or “Parrico” and was in reference to the way they fashioned their hair to look to have a horn or horns. The French explorers recorded the term as “Pani” as eastern native groups described the powerful tribe to the west. The Pawnee were probably well established in what is now Nebraska during the time that Coronado explored as far north as central Kansas and they appear on the maps of Father Jacques Marquette in 1673. They built large, permanent earth lodge villages, but spent over half of each year roaming across central and western Nebraska hunting game and buffalo. Although the early Pawnee and several other tribes of the historic periods had permanent earth lodge villages, they also lived in tepees while on extended bison hunts.</p>
<p>The Pawnee all spoke a Caddo language, which is very different than the language of other Nebraska tribes.</p>
<p>They were divided into four individual bands — the Chaui or Grand Band, the Kitkehahki or Republican, the Pirahauerat or Tappage, and the Skidi or Wolf Pawnee. The Skidi were not closely bound to the other bands, and they might have sprung from a somewhat different ancestry.</p>
<p>From the earliest times, the tribe used tame or "domesticized" dogs to help them drag their possessions across the plains on the hunts. Around 1700 the Pawnee began to acquire horses by raiding tribes far to the southwest who in turn got the animals from the Spanish. As in many other tribes, horses changed the Pawnee’s way of life.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362461060?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362461060?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>An Omaha earth lodge</p>
<p>An Omaha earth lodge<br/> Courtesy Nebraska State Historical Society, RG1289-20-1<br/> The earliest descriptions of the Pawnee indicate that their largest earth lodge villages may have grown to over 1,000 people. When Zebulon Pike came through Nebraska in 1806 and visited a Pawnee settlement along the Republican River, he recorded the population to be around 2,000 people. The earth lodges were circular with the floor dug slightly below the surrounding ground level. The lower outside walls were made of brush and there were four or more central posts holding up roof rafters. All of this framework was covered by earth. There was a central smoke hole in the roof with the fireplace located directly below it. A covered entrance usually extended to the east or southeast. On the west side, an altar was built on which a sacred bison skull usually rested. Beds were built from small timbers and lined the outer walls. The lodges were constructed by the women of the tribe.</p>
<p>This was a matriarchal society, women were responsible for planting, cultivating and harvesting the gardens that surrounded the villages. Each garden was about an acre in size. They used simple tools — a rake, a hoe made from the shoulder blade of a bison and a digger made from a fire-hardened stick. They saved and planted seeds for corn, beans, pumpkins, squash and melons. Both corn and beans were dried, put into skin bags and stored in underground storage pits to last through the winter. Some of these pits were in the earth lodge and others were outside. To prevent other tribes from finding the outdoor pits while the Pawnee were away on the hunt, they carefully covered them with sod.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362461476?profile=original" target="_blank"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8362461476?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>Trade goods used by the historic Pawnee included brass pans containing red and green pigments which were applied with pieces of porous bone</p>
<p>Trade goods used by the historic Pawnee included brass pans containing red and green pigments which were applied with pieces of porous bone<br/> Courtesy Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, GP-ARCH02_KB0019_02<br/> During the long hunt periods they killed elk, deer, bear, beaver, otter, raccoon, badger, squirrels and especially bison. One bison would provide enough meat to feed one person for a full year, but if the group were up to a thousand strong, it took a lot of bison to support them. Groups would travel up to 900 miles to find good hunting grounds. The meat was often eaten fresh after a kill. What could not be eaten right away was cut into strips and dried in the sun to preserve it.</p>
<p>The Pawnee were perhaps the most religious group on the plains. At the head of their deities stood Tirawa, the creator of the universe. Tirawa was a purely spiritual being and had other heavenly gods helping him and guarding the people. These heavenly gods were identified with stars. The most important were the Morning and Evening Stars, which represented the male and female principles in Pawnee religion. Other gods were the earth gods who were special guardians of individuals and secret societies. They were, for the most part, identified with animals.</p>
<p>The Pawnee were the most populous tribe to live in Nebraska, and they lived here longer than any other group. It was estimated that there were 10,000 to 12,000 Pawnee living in Nebraska by 1800 CE. Because of their numbers, the Pawnee had little to fear from their enemies, but in the early 1800s their fortunes began to change. Smallpox and other diseases, for which they had no immunity, reduced their number by half. Their villages on the Loup River were being raided by the 1830s by the nomadic and better-armed Lakota (Sioux). They were eventually forced to give up most of their lands in Nebraska and many eventually moved to a reservation in Oklahoma.</p> Wonderful life - Native American musictag:warriornation.ning.com,2020-05-28:6193495:Topic:6133182020-05-28T21:44:41.546ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
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<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DeIfG6YesH8?wmode=opaque" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe> "Construction of the Sweat Lodge"tag:warriornation.ning.com,2012-08-25:6193495:Topic:2058242012-08-25T08:35:24.704ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p>"Construction of the Sweat Lodge"</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: left;"><strong><img border="0" class="align-center" height="352" src="http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/images/sweat-lodge.jpg" width="373"></img></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br></br> <strong> </strong><br></br> <strong> The sweat lodge is found among most—but not all—Indian cultures in North America.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Today, participation in the sweats is often an affirmation of Indian heritage…</strong></p>
<p>"Construction of the Sweat Lodge"</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong><img class="align-center" border="0" src="http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/images/sweat-lodge.jpg" width="373" height="352"/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><br/> <strong> </strong><br/> <strong> The sweat lodge is found among most—but not all—Indian cultures in North America.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Today, participation in the sweats is often an affirmation of Indian heritage</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>and culture </strong><strong> for both reservation and urban Indians.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> For some people the sweat is done for purification, both physical and spiritual.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> For others it is a social and cultural experience.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> For a few, it is an experience of immense spiritual significance which connects</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> the past</strong> <strong>with the present and the present with the future.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The actual structure of the sweat varies greatly</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> from region to region and from tribe to tribe.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> In addition, different medicine people within the same cultural</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> traditional may built their sweat lodges in a different manner.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>It is not possible to say that “All sweat lodges …”</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> In this article, I would like to describe the symbolism involved</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>in the construction of a modern sweat lodge.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>It must be stressed that this symbolism is not universal.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> What is described below is simply one way of visualizing the sweat lodge.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One of the most common structural forms of the sweat lodge is based</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>on the wigwam: a dwelling common among the Indian nations of the Northeast.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Basically, the wigwam had a frame of bent saplings which resemble an inverted bowl.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Over this frame some type of coverings are laid. In the Northeastern wigwam this</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> covering was often birchbark or woven mats.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> For many people the sweat lodge structure functions to keep the light out</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>(or the dark in) and to keep the heat in.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>For other people, particularly those who are deeply involved with a tribal medicine</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> path, the structure of the sweat lodge has great symbolic significance.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>While there are those who view the sweat lodge as a functional structure,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> there are others who see it as a living entity, a structural which is alive.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The basic construction of the sweat lodge involves placing saplings in the ground</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>and then bending them over to form the form.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Symbolically, it is important that these saplings be grounded in Mother Earth</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> for this represents the role which Mother Earth plays in healing,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>in purification, in obtaining spiritual experiences.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>With the saplings grounded in the earth, the sweat lodge becomes a living entity.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The first two poles are placed in the north.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> North is the direction of dreams.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Dreams are the special gift which were given to human beings</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> at the time of creation and as a spiritual entity,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>the construction of the sweat lodge begins by symbolizing this gift.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>By placing the first two poles in the north, we also symbolically show</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> that we understand the creation story behind the gift of dreams to human beings.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The western north pole represents old dreams, dreams fulfilled.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The eastern north pole represents new dreams,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>dreams which are coming, dreams which have not been fulfilled.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole may also represent those dreams which we do not yet understand.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"><img border="0" hspace="5" align="right" src="http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/images/Inipi-2.gif" width="350" height="235"/></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The next two poles are placed in the south. It is from the manitous (spirits) that live in the south that we obtain words.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Words are living things and live long after they have been spoken.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In placing these two poles, we symbolically show that we are aware of the power of our words and we ask that we speak words which bring about healing and harmony, which bring happiness and health. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The western south pole represents words which have been spoken.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The eastern south pole represents words which will be spoken. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The four poles—the two on the north and the two on the south—</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This action symbolically represents the connection between dreams and words.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> It shows the need to talk about our dreams and in this way to help complete the dream</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and to discover its meaning.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The next two poles are placed in the west.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The west is the direction of the setting sun and thus represents death.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In many Indian traditions, death is not seen as something to be feared</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> or as something which is unnatural. Death is a part of life.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> It is common to hear the expression “It is a good day to die”</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and many will add to this “as I have lived well.”</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Accepting death as natural means that one should try always to live well.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The symbolism of death in the construction of the sweat lodge</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>is not just a symbol of the physical death of the body,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>but of the death or ending of traits, characteristics,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>and other aspects of human life.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Those who come into the sweat lodge seeking change in their lives</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> are seeking the death or ending of certain things in their lives. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The northern west pole represents dreams of death,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>dreams of the ancestors, dreams of the past.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The southern west pole represents the words and wisdom of the ancestors.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The next two poles are placed in the east.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The east is the direction of the rising sun and thus represents birth,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> rebirth, and new beginnings.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The northern east pole represents dreams and visions of new ventures.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole represents those dreams which challenge us to attempt new things,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> to change the direction of our lives.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The southern east pole represents the words which need to be spoken.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The four poles—the two poles on the west and the two poles on the east</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>—are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This act symbolizes continuity and harmony.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>it represents the continuous cycle of birth and rebirth, of reincarnation.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> By the act of symbolically connecting the west and the east,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>the dreams of the ancestors are directly connected to the dreams of the future.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The words of the ancestors are directly connected</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> to the words which need to be spoken.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the north, to the west of the first two poles.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole represents moozo, the moose,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>and symbolizes our relationship with</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>and our dependence upon the animal people.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Traditionally, it was the animal people who sustained the human people</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and made life possible. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the south, to the west of the second two poles.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole represents adikmeg, the whitefish, and represents leadership.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In many cultural traditions true leadership is not openly seen—</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>there are no royal robes or crowns to symbolize who is the leader.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Instead, leadership is based upon words—</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>words of wisdom and true experience, words which bring about harmony</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and hold the people together, words which seek to restore balance</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>rather than create dissention—and upon actions. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> These two poles are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This act symbolizes the importance of good leadership, of unseen leadership.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> It symbolizes the need for leadership which sustains and nourishes the people.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the north, to the west of the first two poles.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole represents mahkwa, the bear.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>It is the bear who provides the sweat lodge with protection,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>who makes sure that nothing evil is able to enter this sacred place.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The symbolism of the bear also serves as a reminder</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> of the great healing power of sleep.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the south, to the west of the second two poles.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> This pole represent neegig, the otter.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>The otter represents the healing power of laughter</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and the need </strong><strong> to enjoy life and to play.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Some people, accustomed to the somber European traditions</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> of religion, are sometimes startled to find that laughter and play</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>are a part of the sweat lodge ceremony.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The two poles are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In this way, the strength of the bear and the playfulness of the otter are connected.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Both are needed in spiritual healing and spiritual growth.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the north, to the west of the first moozo (moose) pole.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> This pole also represents moozo.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the north, to the east of the first makwa (bear) pole.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This pole is another symbolic representation of the bear.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The two poles—moose and bear—are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>With the act, the moose, symbolizing sustenance,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> is connected with bear, symbolizing strength.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the south, to the west of the first adikmeg (whitefish) pole.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> This is another symbolic representation of whitefish. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> One pole is placed in the south, to the east of the first neegig (otter) pole.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This is another symbolic representation of otter.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The two poles—whitefish and otter—are bent over and attached to each other.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>With this act, whitefish, representing leadership,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> is symbolically connected with otter, representing playfulness.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> In other words, leaders need to be playful,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>they need to maintain their sense of humor, they need to laugh with the people.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>There are now 16 poles, each anchored in Mother Earth</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> and therefore symbolically alive, which arch over to enclose the sacred space.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The next step in completing the sweat lodge frame is to weave four</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> horizontal rows of poles around the lodge to represent the four cycles of creation.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> For some ceremonial leaders it is important that each one</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> of these rows form a complete circle.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> In many cultural traditions, the door of the sweat lodge faces east,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> the direction of the rising sun, thus symbolizing the rebirth of the participants</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>as they emerge from the lodge.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In some traditions, the door faces west; among many Plateau cultures,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> the door faces downstream</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> (the Plateau lodge is always located near running water).</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> The size of the door also varies from culture to culture.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>In some traditions, the doorway is kept low so that the participants</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> must enter the lodge on their knees or on their stomachs,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>a reminder of their humility within the womb of Mother Earth.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> In the symbolism of the lodge which I have been describing,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> the door covering is fastened not to the lodge, but to the earth.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> Two long ropes reach from the top of the door covering, over the lodge</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>, and then are fastened to the earth</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> (either by stakes in the ground or by tying them to living trees).</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>This symbolizes the cycle of death (the west) and birth (the east).</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>++++++++++++++++++++++++</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>compiled by Dr. E. B. Eiselein for Spiritalk News. You might wish to add your name to their mailing list for their very excellent newsletter</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><br/></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="left"><strong><font face="Arial">Balance and Harmony<br/><br/></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><a href="http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/Ojibwe_culture_and_language/sweat_lodge_construction_and_symbolism.htm"><font color="#990000">Sweat Lodges</font></a> and Visions</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Since ancient times, people have understood that their spirits are nourished</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> through religious ceremonies. Sacrifice, prayer and self-denial have long been rituals</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> through which people have found peace of mind.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">American Indians may experience visions or revelations from their Creator</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">through dreams or by performing certain rituals.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Just as Christians pray for guidance during church services,</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">many Indians find that using a sweat lodge heightens their spiritual and religious awareness.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">A sweat lodge, also known as a sauna, is heated by fire or by pouring water over hot stones.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> Heat and steam cleanse the body, and they can also purify the spirit or soul.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">In addition to visiting a sweat lodge, some Indians meditate and fast</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> in order to receive a vision to guide them.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">They may seek answers to a particular question,</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">or look for broad answers which will help them live with dignity</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">and honor on their journey through life.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Youth use the fasting and meditation ritual in order to understand</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> how to be of service to their People when they enter the adult world.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">It helps prepare them for a time when they might have to go without food</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">by helping them understand their own bodies and the value of sharing.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Ojibwe children are encouraged to find their own understanding of life.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">They may go alone into the woods or wilderness and fast as a way</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">to receive their own guardian spirit.</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2">Meditation, fasting and cleansing can enhance the spiritual lives of all people,</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font face="Arial"><font size="2"> whether they are Indian or not</font></font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">American Indian people differ from one another in many ways,</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> but whether they are Navajo or Ojibwe, there is one thread of commonality:</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> the belief in the importance of harmony and balance for all living things.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">American Indians believe that all nature was created for a purpose,</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> that all living things — including humans, animals and plants —</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">depend on each other for their existence.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">This interdependence is often referred to as the "web of life."<br/><br/> According to American Indians, what’s most important for human beings</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> is maintaining harmony with all creation.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">That means taking care of the environment, and thinking about how</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> misusing our resources today will affect not only future generations</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> of human life, but the future of all life on earth.<br/><br/> This view of the world is quite different than that of Western civilization’s.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> Western Europeans sought to "conquer" nature</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">and use it however they</font></strong> <strong><font size="2">could to make a profit.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">When American settlers moved West to seek more land,</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> they were fulfilling the traditionally American notion of "manifest destiny,"</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">or, the idea that if humans dominate over their surroundings,</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">they can make themselves rich.<br/><br/> For many years, Americans pursued this destiny of wealth,</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">not realizing that the exploitation of resources was done</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> to such an extent that it was throwing off the delicate harmony</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">and balance that makes up the web of life.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">They thought of trees, minerals and other resources as things</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">they could use freely.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2">Only recently, scientists and non-scientists alike have begun</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> to take a closer look at the interdependence of all living creatures</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><font size="2"> — and see that humans are disrupting the earth’s crucial balance.</font></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><a href="http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/Ojibwe_culture_and_language/sweat_lodge_construction_and_symbolism.htm">http://www.real-dream-catchers.com/Ojibwe_culture_and_language/sweat_lodge_construction_and_symbolism.htm</a></strong><br/> <strong> </strong></p> "Dreamkeeper - The Lakota Legends Video Movie"tag:warriornation.ning.com,2012-08-25:6193495:Topic:2057362012-08-25T08:14:23.421ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p>"Dreamkeeper - The Lakota Legends Video Movie"</p>
<p>-<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UdmvT3sWgcY?wmode=opaque" width="560"></iframe>
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<p>-…</p>
<p>"Dreamkeeper - The Lakota Legends Video Movie"</p>
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</p>
<p>-<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wTSGPaU-_bI?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p>-<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vtrzfsoIlg8?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p>-<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KJzgs0rcUiU?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<p> </p> "Lakota Medicine Wheel - Traditions and Directions - Four Paths"tag:warriornation.ning.com,2012-08-25:6193495:Topic:2056632012-08-25T08:10:01.120ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lakota Medicine Wheel - Traditions and Directions - Four Paths</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311681759?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311681759?profile=original" width="700"></img></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Medicine Stone Wheel:…</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lakota Medicine Wheel - Traditions and Directions - Four Paths</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311681759?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311681759?profile=original" width="700"/></a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Medicine Stone Wheel:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>----------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>36 Stones, 7 days in a Week,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>12 Moons in a year, 12 Animal Totems,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>4 Directions, East, South, West, and North</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Center is for You</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Up is for Grandfather Creator,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Down is for Grandmother Earth.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>---------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The medicine wheel is used for reflection, growth, and learning,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and is a tool for enlightenment and assistance</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>in areas where we need it.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>----------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>We "Walk the Medicine Wheel",</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Reflecting on Each Aspect of the Wheel,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>to Gain Deeper Understanding, of Ourselves, and Life.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>---------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>a Medicine Wheel can best be described as a mirror within,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>which everything about the human condition is reflected back to Us.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>---------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>It requires courage to look into the mirror</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and really see what is being reflected back about an individual's life.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>It helps us with our creative "Vision",</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>to see exactly where we are in life</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and which areas we need to work on</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and develop in order to realize our full potential.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>It is a tool to be used for the upliftment and betterment of ourselves,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>healing and connecting to the Infinite Flow of Creator, and Creation.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>At the Center stone, is You, where You are </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Joined with All of the Four Directions,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and Up, to</strong> <strong>“The Great Mystery”, or Grandfather,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and Down, to Our Great Mother Earth.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Here, in You, in connection to All of Them,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>all life recreates, in You, without beginning or end.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>--------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The seven stones surrounding it in the middle represent</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the seven aspects of your human personality</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Love, Hate, Compassion, Wisdom, Knowledge, Fear, and Peace</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and also the Seven Days of the Week.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Twelve Stones circling the center are the twelve moons</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>of the year, represented by the animal clans.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the spokes or "Spirit Paths" made up of three stones each,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>represent the qualities and steps, that take us from daily life</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>into the sacred space, with Us and the Creator.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Each quadrant holds a different kind of energy</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and represents a different season of the year,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>a stage of our life, an area of our Being</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>(Physical, emotional, mental, and Spiritual)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and a different kind of healing.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Together they create a balanced whole</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>in a specific relationship to one another.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>----------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The teachings of the Medicine Wheel</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>are multi-faceted and many layered.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>They instruct us about all the aspects of life,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>ourselves, and the world around us.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>They teach us about the cycles of life,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>death, and rebirth and how they relate to Nature,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the seasons, and the Universe.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The four cardinal points represent the four paths</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>each person walks. The four paths are:</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>East: Seeking, Knowledge, Far Sight</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>North: Wisdom, Patience, Moderation</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>West: Introspection, Reflection, Ancestors</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>South: Innocence of heart, New Beginnings, Hope.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>------------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the Medicine Wheel creates a vortex of healing energy</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>that comes out of the ground and spirals out</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>into the surrounding area, benefiting all living things.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>This Medicine Wheel, is mirrored by a Wheel, in the Spirit World.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Heaven and Earth are joined together by a vortex tube of energy</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the energy flows between the two Worlds,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>of Spirit and Life.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>----------------------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>To stand in The Wheel, is to be part of that Vortex.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The more we do ceremony, in the Wheel,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the stronger Our energy and connection to It, become,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>because We become more attuned to It.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>It Shines out, to illuminate darkness and to radiate healing</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and understanding, into our community,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and to all the Earth, and to Ourselves.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The medicine wheel is a sacred symbol used by Plains tribes</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and others to represent all knowledge of the universe.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> The medicine wheel consists of a circle with horizontal</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and vertical lines drawn through the circle's center.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sometimes, an eagle feather is attached in the wheel's center.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> Design Meaning</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> Circle - The circle represents the sacred outer boundary</strong> <strong>of the Earth</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>often referred to as the Sun Dance Circle or the Sacred Hoop.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>It represents the continuous pattern of on-going life and death.<br/><br/> Lines - The horizontal and vertical lines represent the sun</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> and man’s sacred paths; </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the crossing of the two lines is the center of the Earth</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>where one stands when praying.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> Feather - The eagle feather is a sign of Wakan Tanka’s -</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>the Great Spirit's - power over everything.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Eagle is Grandfathers Messenger.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> Color Explanation</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> The directions, in the medicine wheel,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> are associated with a sacred color. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Each direction has a messenger.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> Color placement on the wheel varies</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>based on individual customs.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> East:</strong> <strong>Color - Yellow</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Messenger - Red Hawk<br/> • the sun, brings light to all creation.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The East brings Wisdom and Truth.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> • the sun travels east to west - in a clockwise manner -</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>all good things conform to the same pattern.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •The Morning Star, or Sun, is the star of wisdom </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and new beginnings</strong> <strong>- It comes from the east.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Elk call the east home.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> South:</strong> <strong>Color - Red</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Messenger - Crane</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Associated with warmth, happiness and generosity.<br/> •Connected with life after death,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>directs men as they walk toward the next phase</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Life begins in the south.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>New Spirits to be born, come from the South.<br/> •Nourishment of every kind comes from this direction.<br/> •Home to the Birds, and Insects.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> West: Color - Black</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Messenger - Black Eagle</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Connected with the power of rain and pure</strong> <strong>water;</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>joy and growth follow the rain, releasing ignorance.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>We reflect on Our Day, watching the Sun Set.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>We remember Our Ancestors, and Our Past.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •West is home to the Thunderbird. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thunder and lightning follow Him.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> He stands against evil and ensures the respect of others.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/><br/> North: </strong><strong>Color - White</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Messenger - Bald Eagle</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •North is home to winter, and stores water, for Spring,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> It Teaches Us to gather food, and shelter for the Winter,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and to care for Our Loved Ones. </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> •Those who misbehave, will suffer </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>because They did not prepare for Hard Times,</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and the North teaches Them a hard lesson</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>They will not forget this lesson.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/> • the North is home to the White Buffalo</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Calf Pipe Woman, and the buffalo.<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>-<br/></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/pS818YQByh7z8BfnEB4e0q14SFPf8EAmvVXJo6A2YkquANIKT8HHn7AtsWDFoKnkh0T9kForxZ4Hp*QUz0dUVcXAaeDCwpiY/MedicineWheel.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/pS818YQByh7z8BfnEB4e0q14SFPf8EAmvVXJo6A2YkquANIKT8HHn7AtsWDFoKnkh0T9kForxZ4Hp*QUz0dUVcXAaeDCwpiY/MedicineWheel.jpg" width="160" class="align-center"/></a></p> Lakota Phrasestag:warriornation.ning.com,2012-07-21:6193495:Topic:1955372012-07-21T17:26:22.596ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p>Please note some phrases are written phonetically, while others are written as found in Lakota books.</p>
<p>Also, others may speak or spell a word differently.<br></br>Haw (how) = Hello<br></br>Haw Kola (how kola) = Hello male friend<br></br>Haw Mushkay (how moosh kay) = Hello female friend<br></br>Traditionally, in keeping with proper etiquette, the female waited for the male to say "haw" first.</p>
<p>Pilamaya (pee la ma ya) = Thank you!</p>
<p>Doe ksh kay ya oun hey? = How are you?<br></br>Waste (wash tay)…</p>
<p>Please note some phrases are written phonetically, while others are written as found in Lakota books.</p>
<p>Also, others may speak or spell a word differently.<br/>Haw (how) = Hello<br/>Haw Kola (how kola) = Hello male friend<br/>Haw Mushkay (how moosh kay) = Hello female friend<br/>Traditionally, in keeping with proper etiquette, the female waited for the male to say "haw" first.</p>
<p>Pilamaya (pee la ma ya) = Thank you!</p>
<p>Doe ksh kay ya oun hey? = How are you?<br/>Waste (wash tay) = Good!</p>
<p>Huh =Yes<br/>Hee ya = No<br/>Slol wa yea shnee = I don't know</p>
<p>Atanikili (ah tah nee key lee) = You are awesome!</p>
<p>Wana woe gla ka yo/yea =You can talk now.<br/>Woe gla ka yo/yea = Talk Wana = now<br/>Response to: Na pay you gxa ta yea/yo = Raise your hand.</p>
<p>Dokesha ay cha moo ktay = I’ll do it (later) or In a minute/at a later time, etc. but it will get done. (This can be a response to any task or questioning command of phrases we have had in the past i.e. brush your teeth, go to bed, I need some help, etc.)</p>
<p>Na pay you gxa ta yea/yo = Raise your hand<br/>Oh ma key ya na/yo = Please</p>
<p>Hey choon sh nee yea/yo = Don’t do that!<br/>(Male/Female endings = yea = female, yo = male)</p>
<p>Ee na hx nee yo/yea = Hurry!</p>
<p>Wa sh ka ta wa cheen = I want to play.<br/>Sh ka ta yea = You can play now.<br/>Wana sh ka ta yea = You can play now.</p>
<p>Lay he huh nee keyn oh snee = It’s cold this morning</p>
<p>Oh ma kxa txay ja = New Year<br/>Wee chaxk pee he huh nee = Morning Star<br/>In our Lakota Life books, the Morning Star signifies new beginings.</p>
<p>Wah nee key yea txa um pay due = This means Jesus’ birthday or Christmas.</p>
<p>Wopila kaniyeyapi (Wo pee la kah nee yea ya pee)=Happy Thanksgiving</p>
<p>Key kta yo/yea! = Wake up!<br/>Pay = female ending<br/>Po = male ending</p>
<p>Wacantoognaka (Wah chan tay ogna kay) = Generosity/Generous with the Heart</p>
<p>Akicita (ah kee chee tah) = Veteran/Warrior/Soldier</p>
<p>Wakan Takan kici un = May the Crator/Grandfather/Great Spirit/God bless you.</p>
<p>Cante waste nape ciyuzapo (Chan tay washday nay pay chee you za poe) = I greet you from my heart.</p>
<p>Lay he hun nee key wash tay! = This morning is good!</p>
<p>Woounspe-Woh oun spay = lesson/teacher-something you learn from</p>
<p>Wah oun shpay we cha key ya = Allowing or letting them learn (school).</p>
<p>Blue gxoe cha ah snee wa key yea. = I am tired so I am resting.</p>
<p>St. Joe's wah chee pee ake tah blay. = I am going to St. Joe's Pow Wow.</p>
<p>wacipi (wah chee pee) =dance/pow wow.</p>
<p>Wana me glue sh tun cha e BLA blay of Wa key he hay? = Can I go now as I am finished. (The implied meaning is for eating, studying or anything one is doing.)</p>
<p>Wah ye wah ee tan chan (Wayawa Itancan) = Student Leaders</p>
<p>Oun she la yea = Have compassion on me. (female speaking)<br/>Oun she la yo = Have compassion on me. (male speaking)</p>
<p>Tan (dan-'t' is soft 'd') yan yahee ya<br/>(lo-ending for male; yea-ending for female) = Welcome, I am glad to see you.</p>
<p>(Your name) Ee ma chee ya pee ya face=(lo-male ending; yea-female ending) = My name is</p>
<p>Txan kal blah wah cheen = I need to go outside (bathroom).<br/>Bathroom is implied because of past use of outhouses.</p>
<p>Lol wah cheen = I am hungry.<br/>Mnee wah cheen = I am thristy.</p>
<p>Ma Lakota = I am Lakota<br/>Da Makota = I am Dakota.</p>
<p>St. Joe's ayk ta blay = I am going to St. Joe's.</p>
<p>Gna yan na aynsh (spelled nains) cham han ska?! = Trick or Candy?!</p>
<p>O ma key yo = Help me (implied as please; male speaking)<br/>O ma key ya nah = Please (meaning softened for female)</p>
<p>Ah key chee ta-keyn-we cha you oh nee huh pay. = Honor the veterans.</p>
<p>Broken down: "ah key chee ta" is the word for "veterans;" "keyn" equals "the;" "we cha you oh nee huh pay" is "honor them" in plural form.</p>
<p>Dacoo oun ktay hey? = What are we going to eat?<br/>wa glay kshoun na taspan opemnipi wag moo zee! = Turkey and pumpkin pie!<br/>Note: wa glay kshoun (turkey) na (and) taspan openmipi wag moo zee (pumpkin pie)</p>
<p>Ah kay wan chee keyn ktay = It was good to see you again! (female speaking)<br/>Ah kay wan chee keyn ktay low = It was good to see you again! (male speaking)</p>
<p>Wah zee ya! = Santa!<br/>Wah zee ya wana ou! = Santa is coming!!</p>
<p>Doe key ya lay hey? = Where are you going?<br/>Wah gnee ktya! = I am going home!</p>
<p>Phonetic spelling: Txay huh wan chee youn kay shnee = I did not see you for a long time!!<br/>Written spelling may be: te hu wan ci yun ke sni.</p>
<p>Ina ji (yea) = Female speaking<br/>Ina je (yo) = Male speaking<br/>Means either "to stop" or "the motion to stand up"<br/>Phonetic spelling: ee nah zhee (yea) or (yo)</p>
<p>Oh snee. = It is cold.<br/>Lila oh snee! (leela oh snee)= It is VERY cold!</p>
<p>Come here!<br/>Male speaking to one person = He you woe.<br/>Male speaking to two or more = He you poe.<br/>Female speaking to one person = He you way.<br/>Female speaking to two or more = He you pee.</p>
<p>Wa nee yea due ne doe na hey? = How many winters are you? (How old are you?)</p>
<p>Chuntay skoo ya = Sweetheart<br/>Lila waste chi lake (lee la wash tay chee la kay) = I really like you, very much!</p>
<p>Lay he hun nee key lee la washtay. = This morning is good. (Good morning)<br/>Leela ampaytu keen washtay. = Today is a good day!</p>
<p>Chewy ta. = He/she is cold.<br/>Nee chewy ta. = You are cold.<br/>Ma chew ta. = I am cold!</p>
<p>He k pa sha sha yo. = Brush your teeth. (male speaking)<br/>He k pa sha sha yea. = Brush your teeth. (female speaking)<br/>Due way nee shnee. = There is no one around.</p>
<p>Cheek se ya. = I remember you!</p>
<p>Ee glue zha zha yo. = I want you to wash up. (Male)<br/>Ee glue zha zha pee. = I want you to wash up. (Female)<br/>Me glue zha zha ktay. = I am going to wash up. (Either)</p>
<p>Dacoo ya cheen hey? = What do you want?<br/>Ah sum pee (milk) ay dun ma kou way. = Give me some milk.<br/>Remember Please: Male - Oh mak key yo; Female - Oh mak key ya nah</p>
<p>Kee nee un pay due. = Easter.</p>
<p>I yo monk pi sni (Ee yo monk pee shnee). = I feel bad.<br/>I yo monk pi. = I am happy.<br/>Use as response to: Doe ksh kay ya oun hey? = How are you?</p>
<p>Oh ya hey he! = You can do it!<br/>Oh wa key he! = I can do it!<br/>Oh key heeb! = They can do it!</p>
<p>Hunta yo = Get out of the way; something's coming (male).<br/>Hunta yea = Get out of the way; something's coming (female).</p>
<p>Wa chay key ya yea. = I want you to pray.<br/>Wana wa chay oun key ya ktay. = We are going to pray now.<br/>Wakan Tanka = Creator/Great Spirit</p>
<p>Lakxol woe glag oun spay me tch chee yea cha wa glue sha na huh duh oh ma key ya yea (female) yo (male). = I'm learning how to speak Lakota, so if I mispronounce, please help me.</p>
<p>Txay huh wan chee youn kay shnee! = I did not see you for a long time!!</p>
<p>Ee yo monk pee. = I am happy.<br/>Ee yo monk pee shnee. = I am not happy.</p>
<p>Oh lou lou tah! = It is stifling hot (no breeze)!</p>
<p>Wah oun chee! = You and I are dancing!</p>
<p>Doe kay sh kay lay ay cha moo ktay hey? = How do I do this?</p>
<p>Heen akeeya = Smile</p>
<p>na GXee oh wa key tay. = I am looking for my spirit.</p>
<p>Txun blays ya huh, txoe kata key ya, ma wah nee. = I am walking toward the future making good and sober decisions.</p>
<p>Lee la you pea ya nee glue zay. = You dress well today. (Used as compliment after the greeting "Hau.")</p>
<p>Nee coo zha hey? = Are you sick?<br/>Na da ma y azan. = My head hurts. (words to replace head: he = tooth; tay zee = stomach)</p>
<p>Wa chay key ya yea. = I want you to pray.<br/>Woe ksue yea. = In memory of those who died & remembering the living veterans.</p>
<p>Pilaymaya = Thank you! (A message from our first-graders!)</p>
<p>Hoke she la hay cha = It is a boy!<br/>We cheen ja la hey cha = It is a girl!</p>
<p>"Wa cheen txan e tch ya yo." = This is from the Lakota value of the northerly direction, and in this case, it means to have patience.</p>
<p>Wa chuntay oh gna kay = Generosity/Generous with your heart.<br/>E wang oh ma nee (yo/yea) = Be careful when you travel.</p>
<p>Due wah he hey? = Who arrived?<br/>Me da coo yea pee. = Formal greeting with good manners.</p>
<p>Lay he huh nee keyn oh snee. = It is cold this morning!</p>
<p>E woe blue wan ou yea (low/lay) = A blizzard is coming! (low - male ending; lay - female ending)</p>
<p>Doka hwo? = What's up? (Note: Very informal greeting; hwo is an elder male ending, so only use if you want to be considered an elder male!)</p>
<p>Wah oun hey? = Did it snow?</p>
<p>Enila = Be quiet!!</p>
<p>Hunta yea/yo = Get out of the way. (yea = female ending; yo = male ending)</p>
<p>Hoe gxan oun you da pee ktay. = We are going to eat fish.</p>
<p>Ah snee wa keyn ktay. = I am going to rest.<br/>Ah snee key ya po/pay. = All of you get some rest.<br/>(po = male ending; pay = female ending)</p>
<p>Key kta yo/yea! = Wake up!<br/>Key kta po/pay! = All of you wake up!<br/>(yo/po are to be used as ending by males; yea/pay are female ending.)</p>
<p>Hey choon sh nee yea/yo. = Don't do that!</p>
<p>Maza sh kxan sh kxan doenakja hey? = What time is it? (Note: Native Americans did not live by a clock; instead, they lived by nature's clock.)</p>
<p>Umpo = Dawn/just before sunrise<br/>Lay hee hannee = This morning<br/>Hee hannee key = Next morning<br/>Wee choe kan = Noon<br/>Wee choe kan sum eya = Past noon or sun is past highest point<br/>Hxtah yea tue = Evening<br/>Han hey pee = Night</p>
<p>Txan kal doe kja hey? = What is it doing outside? (weather implied)</p>
<p>New gxay sh lou sh lou tay. = You don't listen. (Slips off ears)</p>
<p>Oh ya lay hey? = Who are you looking for?</p>
<p>Tiyospaye (tee-osh-pa-yea) = Extended family (St. Joseph's)<br/>Tiwahe (tee-wa-hey) = Immediate family<br/>Ospaye (ohsh-pa-yea) = Tribe family (Sicangu Lakota, Oglala Lakota, etc.)<br/>Oyate (oh-ya-tay) = Entire nation (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate)</p>
<p>Tan yan yahee ya (lo)! [Male speaking ending (lo)] = Welcome, I am glad to see you. (dan)= the T is a soft sounding D<br/>Tan yan yahee (yea)! [Female speaking ending (yea)] = Welcome, I'm glad to see you.</p>
<p>Haw (how) = hello (intermixed hello)<br/>Haw Kola (how kola) = hello male friend<br/>Haw Mushkay (how moosh kay) = hello female friend *In traditional time, it was good etiquette for the female to wait until the male said hello first.</p>
<p>Unci (oonchee) = Grandmother<br/>Tungasila (tunk ga sheela) = Grandfather<br/>Lalais short for tungasila</p> The Lakota Winter Counttag:warriornation.ning.com,2012-07-21:6193495:Topic:1953792012-07-21T17:23:21.457ZTorch Millshttps://warriornation.ning.com/profile/TorchMills
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2312013356?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2312013356?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"></img></a> A winter count is a record of history. For generations, Plains Indians drew pictographs to document their daily experiences. The Lakota term for winter count is wniyetu wowapi. The word Wowapi translates as “anything that can be read or counted.” Waniyetu is the Lakota word for year, which is measured from first snow to first snow.</p>
<p>Usually drawn on buffalo skin or deer…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2312013356?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="200" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2312013356?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="200"/></a>A winter count is a record of history. For generations, Plains Indians drew pictographs to document their daily experiences. The Lakota term for winter count is wniyetu wowapi. The word Wowapi translates as “anything that can be read or counted.” Waniyetu is the Lakota word for year, which is measured from first snow to first snow.</p>
<p>Usually drawn on buffalo skin or deer hide, Lakota winter counts are composed of pictographs organized in spiral or horizontal rows. Each pictograph represents a year in history of a Lakota community. The pictographs were organized in chronological order so that the winter count provided an outline of events for the community’s Keeper or oral historian.</p>
<p>Winter counts were also used by individuals within the tribal community to record specific events in their own lives. Tribal communities made up of members of extended family or tiyospayes also recorded their story and experiences on a winter count so it was not uncommon to have multiple copies of winter counts within a community.</p>
<p>Winter counts were dynamic documents of recorded history. Variations between similar counts occurred if a community historian chose to emphasize a different aspect of an event or select another event all together. Differences among winter count narratives may also be the result of inaccurate translation from Lakota to English. The winter count, like history, is selective representation of a people’s past. The narratives usually reflect both the community’s history and culture.</p>