The last student...

in #loss6 years ago (edited)

So all of these people creating new religions that are nothing more than a reboot of actually going back to your old traditional ways, you are absolutely hilarious.

Now in the light of spirit animals and proclaiming that you know what yours is because you really like it and it looks really cool and has an image that you would really like to be associated with even though you're nowhere close to that...

Spirit animals are holding a meeting. Bears wolves eagles and hawks are swamped. However chipmunks, squirrel, and skunks have plenty of room. So does ducks and geese.

Fish are totally open as well!

However you guys really miss the point of spirit animals. You can't just claim to get one. Just thinking that you are an eagle doesn't really make you one.

You might be a sparrow or a songbird.

And as to bears. Well that's quite a touchy subject as my family is bear Clan.

I've never chosen for myself. That's for an Elder to do for you. And it's a very thoughtful process.

My first rainbow gathering in 2006 was in Colorado and I was lucky enough to be included in the Native American traditions and attended my first sweat lodge.

Since then my connection with my heritage and my ancestral ways has only gotten stronger.

Just because you wear a feather doesn't make you an Indian as most European people who have been mocking our traditions and ceremony know all about but refuse to admit.

I was invited to a Native American sweat lodge buy a medicine man who happens to be a friend of the family. After the rainbow one! So my second time around.

Albert Highhorse was one of the first American Indian movement Warriors. He was at the Wounded Knee in 1973 for the occupation and was the medic. His life and actions during that episode in time were recorded. From then on he did security for 39 years at the Delta Park pow wow in Portland Oregon. He was an amazing activist as well as Warrior teacher and Scholar.

Also this is a close family friend that I always knew as my relative but never knew his history and his actions.

After I came back from Colorado I had told the family about attending sweat lodge and the amazing welcome from the other natives. My family asked if I wish to attend another sweat lodge. Which of course I agreed to!

Albert wasn't present at that conversation however conversations immediately reached him. He got extremely excited and West present to pick me up. The entire drive to sweat lodge was spent with him passing 4th the sacred knowledge about our ceremonies.

Who was hosting the ceremony is another story that is amazing in of itself.

As we arrived Albert high horse took me on a very specific tour showing me all of the details as well as dumping the massive amount of information on me. There was this group of white guys that kept demanding his attention and kept trying to interrupt him. Which isn't really the smartest idea because interrupting an elder in our tradition is a sign of disrespect. Albert would continue to shoo these individuals off. And more than once he actually was very direct in telling these individuals that he was busy at the moment.

In the middle of all of this young child came running over and interrupted us with a message from Dorothy Ackerman the host of the property. Uncle Al listen to the message and sent the runner back with the message that he will be right there. And then he walked over and introduced me to the Firekeeper. An Apache who was just promoted to full medicine man and one of the last of his Uncle Al's students.

Jody and myself introduce ourselves formally which includes our tribe our reservation our clan and what part or location of the reservation where you can actually come visit us. Very formal and you know exactly who and where this N8V is from! This is the old ways....

Jody happened to be an amazing individual who welcomed me in to the ceremony with a smile and huge hug.

"I won't be long." and Uncle Al trotted off.

So I am getting educated in the ways of being a FireKeeper and Jody kind of laughs because apparently this is something I already know how to do and do extremely well!

During this time that me and Jody are having fun exchanging information and playing with fire, this group of white guys who had been interrupting my uncle are still staring at me. And there in this little huddle whispering and every now and then they would all stop turn around and glare at me.

I asked Jody what's going on and he just Chuckles.

Right about that time one of the crowd of white guys comes frotting over to me and demands to know who I am what my family heritage is and what right do I have to be at this ceremony...

Well trying to keep my temper under control through gritted teeth I formally introduce myself to this individual and then ask him who he is, what his Heritage is, and what right does HE have to be at the ceremony AND better yet what right do you have being in my face...

So this extremely rude disrespectful individual straightens up, thinks for a second and then runs back to the group of white guys. Apparently he is reporting in on his findings and I'm getting even more ugly looks.

I am fingering the blade at my side and ask Jody who these guys are. And that I'm ready to go since this group is giving me the signs we will be having some fun shortly. I'm game!

My head snapped back to Jody. This man is absolutely dying of laughter. And he makes an extremely pointed remark that I do not truly understand my heritage just yet.

"Yes those guys are idiots. But harmless. And this is the first time they have seen one of your kind outside of a history book. You don't understand what your heritage is and who you really are. That entire group of men even armed pose no threat to you because you come from Royal Blood. And Warrior Blood. You are a part of the greatest warriors who have ever walked up on this continent. Do you know who I am and who my family is?" Jody asked while wiping the tears from his cheeks!

I respond, "Your family waged 150 year long blood Feud with the Spanish and are known for extremely bad tempers, extremely creative torture techniques, and don't piss them off."

Jody: "Where do you think we learned how to wage war 150 years against the Spanish. You come from the Uto Aztecan dialect. You are related to the Aztecs and when the Spanish attack them it started a 500 year-long blood Feud which we learned how to wage war and to be Warriors from your people. There is nothing that those men can do. Especially when you are at ceremony! Those white guys pretend that they are Indian but have never actually seen one of your relatives in anything other than a history book"

All this and Jody is leaning on the shovel he is using to tend to the fire for support. So he won't fall over from laughing.

Jody continues "The only way that you were able to survive some of the most amazing trials in your life is the fact that you are Shoshone. Shoshone Warriors were feared acrossed Turtle Island. Ignore those individuals as an eagle will ignore an insect. Your ancestors always have your back and the blood that runs in your veins is the blood of Kings. Your family is royalty. Please argue with me.... "

I'm standing there stunned. And this isn't exactly a person that any common sane individual would argue with. But a lot of pieces of the puzzle are starting to link together very quickly.

My sisters....

My uncles...

My brothers...

My hand droops from the blade at my side. And I cross my arms.

I ask, "So how do you know so much about my family?"

Jody replies. " apparently everybody on this continent knows who your family really is except for you. Mean tempers? We think that about your family. And we also have a saying that you are to Never anger a Shoshone Warrior and if you do you need to immediately negotiate terms. They will destroy murder and then BURN everything. They are not thieves, and will not stand for disrespect. And the first white guy that documented your family documented an incident where some group disrespected the Shoshone Warriors and the Shoshone Warriors destroyed their Camp piled everything into one big huge bonfire and reduced it to ashes."

All laughter has gone. And this warrior is deadly serious. Then he smiles. And gives me a big hug.

"You are safe here and always welcome my Relation. No one could hurt you even if they tried... This I know. This you see. I know you see the truth. And feel it in your heart."

Jody pauses and takes a long look at the fire...

"Help me get more wood for the fire?"


Jody

And as well as the rest of the students of Albert high horse were promoted two full medicine men. They were told that they were ready and needed to take the responsibility to care for the people. He was taking on one last student and needed to have enough time with that student to teach them properly. He will be my greatest achievement and one of the most powerful medicine men ever. But this will be his last student.
Jody and the other students continue to pass on the traditional ways. Jody is doing amazing work with incarcerated natives and providing access to sweat lodge and supporting inmates.

Dorthy Ackerman

The native American veteran who sued the government for our right to practice our religious beliefs. To have dances and sweatlodge. And I was able to spend quality time with both of these activists and amazing people. It broke my heart when she passed. Even to the last time I had seen her every time we were at the same event together I made sure to go give her a hug say hello and see how she was doing. Every time she saw me, she had an amazing smile light up her face and always wanted to know how I was doing and what was going on in my life. The First Nations lost an amazing Warrior the day that she passed on.
She hosted sweat lodge for decades at her property and even fought the city for us to continue Ceremony.

Albert Highhorse....

Defender Of Wounded Knee was his native name given to his when he passed. I was truly his last student. Shortly before his death, he offered me his medicine pipe and told me I am a full medicine man. I turned it down. Grandfather Al! You can't give me this. I am not strong enough to carry the sacred Chanupa or feel I am ready for this responsibility. I don't think I have the knowledge. I'm still a student.

I turned down a huge honor. And I saw both sadness and joy in my Grandfather's eyes. He passed shortly after that talk. Last thing I remembered hearing from him was. "Grandson yes you are ready. You have all the information and knowledge and one day you WILL accept your responsibility and your place. The pipe will always be with you. It will find you. Your my greatest achievement and have blessed me with having able to have such a student. I could never have asked for more.. Go walk! In a good way! Aho!"

After Grandfather Al had passed his body was driven back to his home for burial. He was placed in the back of a van and driven home. Some Warriors travel with him to give him the honor such a medicine man deserves. One of the most humble men that I have ever known who had such an amazing life. And we respected the native tradition of not speaking his name for an entire year after his passive as we believe that we do not want to tie his spirit to this plane. Instead we remembered him by his new native name until that year had passed.

This is not easy for me to write. These people will always live in my heart. And now I hope this will out live even me. May their story last through the ages.

I'll get around to my first sweatlodge story eventually. And finding another amazing family. Which started this experience.

I never knew such a story would be so hard to write. Or that I would have gone from spirit animals and laughter to such remembrance. Or that even with the passing of time this could hurt so much remembering.

Even using voice input it hasn't been easy as well as also having to go back over and edit the mistakes that voice input has done. I couldn't believe that I still had tears left.

If you are still reading this I hope that you have learned from our elders. If knowledge is not passed on to the next Generation it will be lost.

Many blessings for those who are carrying the traditional way for the children to come.

May my grandchildren get to hear this and pass on our ways.

We were exterminated hunted and our land stolen. But you won't keep us down.

To my sisters... Who carry the traditional ways and raise my sons and daughters in that traditional way. Your amazing! I love you with all my heart.

In our ways. My Uncle is my father. My cousins are my brothers and sisters. My nieces and nephews are My Sons and Daughters. We are all related.

And here is one of my sisters I was able to spend time with. Guess this is what started this post.

Randi you are so strong and an amazing warrior. It was great seeing you and spending time with you. Keep being you!

Summer, and Alana your strong women. Your raising some amazing warriors. Thank you for the sons! Amazing warriors rising. Passing on the traditions to our next generation. That's bravery.

ChaCha your beautiful and I'll always be there. Keep being a rockstar! Not all power is on the surface and you show that.

Joseph! I'll punch you in the face! Haha I'm down! Let's bang, I ain't scared! You totally killed me apologizing. Yes I get the joke! Well now! And you keep being a pug thug. You make me proud.

Uppah Stan! Blaze it! We don't always get along but thank you for your knowledge and experience. I'll never forget it. Your more of a father than I ever had. Even if your a grumpy ass... Your still our grumpy Uppah!

Uppah Bruce to you, I hope to learn More from you. And your martial experience and quiet demeanor are things I wish I had. That soft smile and laugh is priceless never let it go. Your wisdom is priceless

Brother Phillip. You have my full prayers. You are so much better than alcohol. You would be more strong had you kept moving with positivity. Still would choke out a tank barehanded. I do love you but your actions break my heart. Have to love you from a distance. Would rather be by your side. Better raise better kids than Grandpa Bear did.

Brother Robbie. Wow. What a man you have become. And a father! Wow! You have overcome adversity, trials, tribulations and ended up being a Shepherd, a father, a leader, a husband, and a damn fine human being. There is little about your life and Outlook that I don't find extremely impressive. I know that you are an amazing person and I absolutely love having you as a relative. I hope to be able to spend more time with you and my sons and daughters in the future. You picking an amazing wife really helped! She is awesome and I'm glad she is family, oh well she was always! Just makes families closer!

To Momz well your an inspiration. The Dali Lama's best friend would love to learn and talk with such an enlightened human being. Thank you for the traditional ways and respect I learned.

In our word to amen, OOSE!

This picture is my sister Randi and signed for family. When she came to visit and attend the local powwow. Oh and I got to be her security guard. Replaced her 6 women and 6 men contingent. Yes it's real and my family.
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Nice story writing wit tradition , thank you . keep good work .

Your post is always different i follow your blog and upvote everytime , your post is so helpful . I always inspire of your post on my steem work . Thank you for sharing @ganjafarmer

Thanks I need to be more of the teacher and story teller.

And this blog is as life throws it my way. And why not write your own biography? More to follow.

Wonderful story of tradition and family! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for the support!

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