SPECIAL MESSAGES FROM

ARVOL 

LOOKING HORSE

19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

October 12, 2006


Message from Chief Arvol Looking Horse.

Mitakuye (my relative),

I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nation, ask you to understand an Indigenous perspective on what has happened in America, what we call "Turtle Island." My words seek to unite the global community through a message from our sacred ceremonies to unite spiritually, each in our own ways of beliefs in the Creator.

We have been warned from Ancient Prophecies of these times we live in  today, but have also been given a very important message about a solution to  turn these terrible times around.

To understand the depth of this message you must recognize the importance of Sacred Sites and realize the interconnectedness of what is happening today, in reflection of the continued massacres that are occurring on other lands and our own Americas.

I have been learning about these important issues since the age of 12, upon receiving the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle and its teachings. Our people have striven to protect Sacred Sites from the beginning of time. These places have been violated for centuries and have brought us to the predicament that we are in at the global level.

Look around you. Our Mother Earth is very ill from these violations, and we are on the brink of destroying the possibility of a healthy and nurturing survival for generations to come, our children's children.

Our ancestors have been trying to protect our Sacred Site called the Sacred Black Hills in South Dakota, "Heart of Everything That Is," from continued violations. Our ancestors never saw a satellite view of this site, but now that those pictures are available, we see that it is in the shape of a heart and, when fast-forwarded, it looks like a heart pumping.

The Dine have been protecting Big Mountain, calling it the liver, and we  are suffering and going to suffer more from the extraction of the coal from there and the poison processes used in doing so.

The Aborigines have warned of the contaminating effects of global warming  on the Coral Reefs, which they see as Mother Earth's blood purifier.

The Indigenous people of the rainforest relay that the rainforest are the lungs of the planet and need protection.

The Gwich'in Nation has had to face oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain, also known to the Gwich'in as "Where life  begins!"

The coastal plain is the birthplace of many life forms of the Animal Nations. The death of these Animal Nations will destroy Indigenous Nations in  this territory.

As these destructive developments continue all over the world, we will witness many more extinct Animal, Plant, and Human Nations, because of mankind's misuse of power and their lack of understanding of the "balance of life."

The Indigenous people warn that these destructive developments will cause havoc globally. There are many, many more Indigenous awareness and knowledge about Mother Earth's Sacred Sites, her Chakras, connections to our spirit that  will surely affect our future generations.

There needs to be a fast move toward other forms of energy that are safe  for all Nations upon Mother Earth. We need to understand the types of minds that are continuing to destroy the spirit of our whole global community. Unless we do  this, the powers of destruction will overwhelm us. Our Ancestors foretold that  water would someday be for sale. Back then, this was hard to believe, since the  water was so plentiful, so pure, and so full of energy, nutrition, and spirit.

Today we have to buy pure water, and even then the nutritional minerals have been taken out; it's just empty liquid. Someday water will be like gold,  too expensive to afford.

Not everyone will have the right to drink safe water. We fail to appreciate and honor our Sacred Sites, ripping out the minerals and gifts that lay underneath them as if Mother Earth were simply a resource, instead of the Source of Life itself.

Attacking Nations and having to utilize more resources to carry out destruction in the name of peace is not the answer! We need to understand how  all these decisions affect the Global Nation; we will not be immune to its repercussions. Allowing continual contamination of our food and land is  affecting the way we think.

A "disease of the mind" has set in world leaders and many members of our global community, with their belief that a solution of retaliation and destruction of peoples will bring Peace.

In our Prophecies it is told that we are now at the crossroads: Either  unite spiritually as a Global Nation, or be faced with chaos, disasters,  diseases, and tears from our relatives' eyes.

We are the only species that is destroying the Source of Life, meaning Mother Earth, in the name of power, mineral resources, and ownership of land, using chemicals and methods of warfare that are doing irreversible damage, as Mother Earth is becoming tired and cannot sustain any more impacts of war.

I ask you to join me on this endeavor. Our vision is for the Peoples of all continents, regardless of their beliefs in the Creator, to come together as one  at their Sacred Sites to pray and meditate and commune with one another, thus  promoting an energy shift to heal our Mother Earth and achieve a universal consciousness toward attaining Peace.

As each day passes, I ask all Nations to begin a global effort, and  remember to give thanks for the Sacred Food that has been gifted to us by our  Mother Earth, so the nutritional energy of medicine can be guided to heal our  minds and spirits.

This new millennium will usher in an age of harmony or it will bring the  end of life as we know it. Starvation, war, and toxic waste have been the hallmark of the Great Myth of Progress and Development that ruled the last millennium.

To us, as caretakers of the heart of Mother Earth, falls the responsibility of turning back the powers of destruction.  You yourself are the one who must decide.

You alone - and only you - can make this crucial choice, to walk in honor  or to dishonor your relatives. On your decision depends the fate of the entire World.

Each of us is put here in this time and this place to personally decide the future of humankind.

Did you think the Creator would create unnecessary people in a time of such terrible danger?

Know that you yourself are essential to this World. Believe that!  Understand both the blessing and the burden of that. You yourself are  desperately needed to save the soul of this World. Did you think you were put  here for something less? In a Sacred Hoop of Life, there is no beginning and no  ending!

July 7, 2003

Unity of Indigenous Nations' 

Protection of Ceremonial Ways of Life

<sup>I have asked the non-Indigenous Nations to please understand our need to protect and maintain our sacred 'way of life' and not to conduct our Sacred Ceremonies.  This request still allows the non-indigenous people to 'attend' and support our ceremonies by taking part in healing ceremonies, and to offer prayers for their families in our sacred inipi (sweat lodges), to support our First Nations that hemblec'ia (vision quest) and Win Wang wac'ipi (Sundance).  This participation also depends on the person that is sponsoring these ceremonies, as some do not allow this. 

Our Sacred Ceremonial way of life involves the protocols of lineage to the hoc'oka, our altar, and of ancestral sacred energies for communicating with Wakan Tankan, the Great Mystery, the Great Spirit and Creator. I feel that all International Indigenous Nations should stand together in remembering these most sacred protocols that our Grandfathers and Grandmothers left for us. Our Sacred Ceremonies have been part of our spiritual 'way of life' since the time of creation. Our Sacred Ceremonies determine the cultural identity that our ancestors preserved for us. 

I would like to encourage unity in promoting our sacred languages on behalf of our children.  The world needs to recognize the importance of this in understanding who we are, as Indigenous Nations.  Preserving our way of life is vital for preservation of our children's identity.  This same unity would also strengthen our concerns of protecting our Sacred Sites around the world upon which many of us depend for strength. 

I have been promoting the day of June 21st as "World Peace and Prayer Day" which is now being promoted in the United Nations as "Honoring Sacred Sites Day".  We must stand together in recognition of our sacred responsibility to protect the sacred lands for which our First Nations Grandfathers and Grandmothers gave their lives.  These responsibilities to our Sacred Unci Maka (mother earth), along with our 'way of life', should not be ignored or traded for money. 

I would like to stress the importance of recognizing our existing burial sites as Sacred Sites to protect them from any further exploitation.  Our deceased ancestors were buried with ceremonial ways of prayer including protection in their death.  Ignorance and disrespect accept desecration.

I am addressing these very important issues with my Brother/and Sister First Nations, because of the present predicament that our own Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations (a.k.a. Sioux Nation) are now facing.  We ask for your understanding and support as our ceremonies are being mocked and violated in your back yards.  We request your assistance in speaking on our behalf for protection of these sacred ceremonies.  We hereby give you that right to do so as our Brother/Sister First Nation, along with the non-Indigenous Nation, that have voiced and would like to assist in this protection as well. Wopila (much thanks) for understanding this is not about racism! 

This resolution was passed in the National Congress of American Indians. We are presently looking for support on an International level with the UN for protection, since our ceremonies are now being violated worldwide.  We are facing a wild fire of imitation mockery from around the world: non-Indigenous people and our own First Nations People who have become lost and greedy who are practicing our sacred ceremonies with no previous teachings or knowing our language, neglecting important procedures, and charging for participation. 

As all of you know, it takes a lifetime to learn and earn the privilege to conduct these rites.  The desecration has proven to be very damaging in the perception of the way our children view their traditional legacy.  The energy that was meant for them has become distorted and polluted.  These are very important issues which all of our Indigenous Nations must take a unified stand so that our ceremonies can be strengthened to withstand the changes that are occurring upon our Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth).  All of our Indigenous Nations understand that these ceremonies are connected to the well being of our Unci Maka and the survival of our future generations. 

I have recently put out a statement on these very issues that not only involves protection of our Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations' ceremonies, but also other similar Plains Tribal ceremonies.  I am standing with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Nations with the same concerns in addressing these issues that were discussed in the recent series of meetings hosted by the different Plains Tribal Nations.  This effort was initiated by Bernard Red Cherries Jr., Northern Cheyenne Sundance-Arrow Priest, and Elkhorn Scraper Society Headsman. 

We must respect each others Cultural and traditional ways of life. 
 
We realize that these concerns must reach more and more people in order to gain a Global understanding of the need to protect our 'ways of life' for Peace and Unity on behalf of, not only our Indigenous Nations, but on behalf of all Mitakuye Oyasin (all living beings upon Mother Earth).</sup> 

In a Sacred Hoop, where there is no ending and no beginning, Mitakuye Oyasin,

Chief Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe

Received June 16, 2003

National Day of Prayer to

Protect Native American Sacred Places

Mitakuye,

^{I am much honored that you have committed yourselves toward the preservation of our Sacred Sites.}  

^{My prayers will be with you all on this day of the 20th of June. We understand this effort to be known as "ALL Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer."} 

^{All the People of the world will be gathering at their local Sacred Site and be aware that many others in the world are doing the same effort of gathering prayers, no matter what faith they belong to, but offering a prayer from the heart.} 

^{As you know, the awareness is badly needed in this country and throughout the world. Mother Earth is the source of life, not a resource.}

^{From the time I became the Keeper of the Sacred Bundle at the age of 12, I too have witnessed the abuse of our Sacred Sites.}

^{In my young age, my father Stanley and I used to go to honor these places during certain times of the year and do ceremony. These were times when our ceremonies were illegal. He asked me to continue this effort to bring about this awareness even stronger.}

^{I then dedicated my life to this purpose by initiating World Peace and Prayer Day, currently being presented as "Honoring Sacred Sites Day" on the UN level.  This day of June 21st was chosen in 1995, a year after the birth of the White Buffalo Calf in Wisconsin. At this time we had went to ceremony to understand what the birth message was about. I visited with many other Indigenous Spiritual Leaders of first Nations People and discussed this awareness to protect these sites, as I knew there was a connection with this birth related to the condition of our Sacred Mother Earth.}

^{We discussed this effort in order for our future generations to continue in the importance of understanding the energy connection that all Indigenous People in world understand with Sacred Sites.} 

^{This date was chosen and I would like to request that you announce this time at your gatherings on the 20th and remind the people that there are thousands of people around the world that are going to these Sacred Sites the following day and offering their prayers for better health for our future generations and Mother Earth.}

^{In 1996, I rode on Horse back from Canada on route to Grey Horn Butte aka Devils Tower, through many reservations on the way. Many Elders met and prayed with us as we rode through the reserves and reservations carrying this message during our 2 month long journey.} 

^{The visit that I really remember in my heart and mind was meeting the Keeper of the Sacred Hat on the Cheyenne Reservation in Lame Deer, Montana. The Keeper shared a dream with me that he had long ago, of men on horseback that would come to his home carrying a message of honoring and protecting our Sacred Sites. He attended the very first event at Grey Horn Butte in 1996. This memory carries me to this day.} 

^{The Park Service and I were taken to court by the Climbers Association for "forbidding their recreational activities request" during our time of Prayer at Grey Horn Butte. We won the case in Supreme Court four years later. I humbly request you extend your time at these sites for one more day and pray with us as well, as we will be in a Sacred Site on the 20th and will remember you too.}

^{Our web site is www.worldpeaceandprayerday.org or www.wolakota.org.
In the Sacred Hoop of Life where there is no ending and no beginning!} 

Mitakuye Oyasin,
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, O-mini-c'i-ya-pi 

Received April 26, 2003

The People in these hoc'okas 

Mitakuye,

Since the statement of protecting our ceremonies, there have been many issues that have come out. Many people reporting on one another, many people arguing for the participation of non-natives, many non-natives telling me that I am a dictator of these ways. I see this as good and bad, because I now see since these reports, there is a much bigger problem then I ever knew in concern of the violations. Even more reports of deaths, charging, molestation and mixing of other beliefs, this must stop! These violations are affecting our children's health, many of our children ending their life with suicide. They do not feel that 
ceremonial energy that was meant for them. 

The People in these hoc'okas need to become stronger and connected with our children's needs to survive. This Bundle is our way the Creator gave us to help us survive with spirituality. It is all about  transferring spiritual energy for health for your loved ones and thinking of 7 generations to come. 

These prayers also go out to the world, for all Mitakuye Oyasin 

I don't like the division, but again when was the last time we really united. I would rather see our people, even if there are only a few, unite strong and understand what this all about, to stand with me for these ways to be protected, so this Bundle can stay for our future generations. These sacred protocols were always there. The teacher is the Grandfathers. 

There was nothing new in my statement. The only thing that changed was allowing other Native People whose Nations come from this same ma-co-c'e (land) to participate in Sundance and vision quest. Their Ancestors understood the values and traditions of ceremony in the connection to this Turtle Island. I have known in our history that we shared our ways with other Nations with respect. Our people would intermarry with other Native Nations, they would become a Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate. It was the same when our woman married another Nation's man, because we have the same teachings and bloodline to this ma-co-c'e.

I have heard native and non-native people fully understand my statement, yet many are misinterpreting the statement, because they don't want to see the truth and how it affects them. Many have wanted me to re-explain what all this means with the decision. The decision was based on many years of the Elders coming to me with dreams and concerns of what is going on. I waited to make another statement, to allow time to bring things out and open the eyes of the people to look at what is happening with our sacred ways. Just how serious these things have become, has now been revealed.

I will explain the things that people have been questioning. First, I understand that there have been people at the meeting that are talking about not agreeing with my decision. I announced my decision in Lakota that has a much larger meaning. During the meeting, that was taped, Sam Moves Camp stated that I make a decision after all the issues were discussed.  Yet I am getting word from non-natives that they have talked to some Men at the meeting and they were told that they did not agree. Yet no one said anything after I spoke. 

These Men are only a few. I guess they have learned how this affects them after the statement went out, so they backed away. Some of the people getting back to me are reporting the misuse of their friendship with these Men and other Men that call themselves Intercessors. They have questioned how they could agree with this decision even when they do these violations themselves. I still stand by these Lakota Men and have to work with them. I don't feed that negative energy. We are the Buffalo Nation and I will not report them, it is up to these people to correct these things themselves. The Buffalo teaching is to stand around one that has fallen and help them stand, these ways belong to them, even if they have become lost.  The other need is to establish our strong Societies again to deal with these matters. Those Society men who are compassionate and walk in a respectful manner, yet strong in their energy with spiritual guidance to correct these violations in an honorable way.

I stated the only Government protection of our ways is the Eagle Feather Law, because we are dealing with non-native participation that do not honor our spiritual laws that are in place. This only law is when only enrolled members can own this sacred item for ceremonial use. The feather represents knowledge and you have to earn this for any part of our ceremonies. I realize that during the 1900's many of our people were taken away from their families. I have participated in providing a healing ceremony for adoptees. 

Many are even full bloods and can not find their families. We can still find a way to provide our people in recognition of their right to their identity. Those that know their lineage can still prove their bloodline, our intermarrying with other Nations is not that old that it can not be found. In the mean time, we need to continue to focus on the protection that is available now. That first teaching of bloodline came when the first Keeper was told by Pte Skan Win that the Bundle must stay in the bloodline and passed down through a vision or dream from the Keeper. So it is the same teaching of our Native Bloodline with the ceremonies.

My position is the Keeper of the Bundle that consists of the 7 Sacred Rites I am being responsible to remind the Oyate that these ways are being violated. Even to a degree that in 1979, when we were bringing out the Sacred C'anupa, we received a warning in ceremony from the Grandfathers, that if these abuses continued, they would leave. We decided to put away the Bundle for 7 years from 1980-87 and get the word out that we were warned. We could be just another Nation, with no identity, no cultural language, no cultural way of life and we could probably loose our reservations and Sacred Sites.

Pte-Ska Win told us her spirit would stand upon Mother Earth in the future, these signs have been coming every year since 1994, with the births of the white buffalo calves. This is a blessing, to see the reminder that the Bundle she brought is still here for us, but yet it is also a warning. If you remember she came the first time when we were having a hard time of starvation, the buffalo disappeared, because we forgot the buffalo teachings of honoring the Creator in the way we walk. We have forgotten these important teachings once again.

I stated that I can not dictate to the Spiritual Leaders who they allow to attend and support ceremonies, who they feel they need to doctor or where they travel. This was to only remind that the white brothers and sisters, they can still attend and pray with us at a ceremony, if the Spiritual Leader allows this. Again it is the hoc'oka, the center, where our Oyate stand, that needs to be protected. This is also a reminder even with our own people, they need to prepare their life to stand in that alter and learn these protocols of a drug and alcohol free life. They must have a calling that is be interpreted in ceremony, to at least begin to learn the language and not give in to English. The language is very important in communicating with the Grandfathers. When I attended the UN Indigenous Day with representatives from Indigenous Nations from around the world, they discussed the criteria to maintain our voice in the protection of our Sacred Sites and cultural identity.  

All agreed it was to maintain the language. Don't give up your ways because you don't know how to speak yet.  You can learn as you go along and this sacred language will come back for your Tiospaye.

We are the only Indigenous Nation in the world that has opened our sacred ceremonials, of the alter, out to the public. Now we are seeing the abuse and violations. Anyone can read a book or get close to our ceremonial people, then go out and practice our ways without proper protocols. 

Racism is when a race is not given a right because of color of skin in American Society. These sacred instructions were given to our People's Society, as many other Nations were given their own. If that were the case, then all the other Indigenous Nations that protect their sacred ways would be racist. Our Nation's protection of these sacred ways is prayers of strength for all Mitakuye Oyasin. Indigenous People understand these boundaries of protection. Iktomi is always there to trick us. It is our responsibility to protect the life of our Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, future generations. This gift belongs to them, from the Creator.

I would like to remind you of a time when we can all gather at the Sacred Sites, with "all Nations, all faiths, one prayer", no matter how we believe in the Creator, of World Peace and Prayer Day, June 21st. 

This is a time when you find your own individual connection to our Unc'I Maka (Grandmother earth), from your heart, your own sacred site. We need to give thanks and offer our prayers for her to heal.

In a Sacred Hoop of life, where there is no beginning and no ending!

He-c'e-tu-ye-lo,  Mitakuye Oyasin,

Chief Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe

Received March 15, 2003

Green Grass Proclamation

^{I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to thank all the People that attended this historic "Protection of Ceremonies" meeting.}

Bernard Red Cherries - Northern Cheyenne Nation, Northern Cheyenne Arrow Priest and Elk Society Headsman  
Tweety Little Bird - Northern Cheyenne Nation, No. Cheyenne Elk Horn Scraper Society  
Lee Pedro - Southern Arapahoe Nation, Southern Arapahoe Rabbit Man (Holy Man)  
Dave Chief - Ogallala Nation, Lakota Spiritual Leader  
Dave Swallow - Ogallala Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Kevin Horse Looking - Ogallala Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Floyd Hand - Ogallala Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Silo Black Crow - Ogallala Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Sam Moves Camp - Ogallala Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Chris Leith - Prairie Island Dakota Community, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Gaylen Drapeau Sr. - I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Gaylen Drapeau Jr. - I-hank-to-wa (Yankton Sioux) Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Ambrose Little Ghost - Spirit Lake Dakota Nation, Dakota Spiritual, Leader   
Calvin Medicine Bear First - Assinoboine Nakota Nation, Nation, Spiritual Leader  
Leonard Crow Dog - Si-c'an-g'u Rosebud Sioux Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Roy Stone Sr. -  Si-c'an-g'u Rosebud Sioux Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper   
Ned Medcalf - Si-c'an-g'u Rosebud Sioux Nation, Interpretor/advisor  
Leon Red Dog - Hoh'-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Steve Vance - Hoh'-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Francis Yellow - Hoh'-wo-ju Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Jacob Sanderson - Cree Nation Canada, Medicine Bundle Keeper  
Kevin Ta-c'an - Sioux Valley Manitoba Dakota Nation, Dakota Spiritual Leader

<sup>On March 8th and 9th, Spiritual Leaders and Bundle Keepers of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nation, Cheyenne Nation and Arapahoe Nation were called together to discuss the protection from the abuse and exploitation of our ceremonies.  The meeting was held at the Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, hosted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.  I would also like to acknowledge the financial donation from the Prairie Island Dakota Community. 
 
Discussions in the meeting included the molestation taking place in ceremony, indecent mockery, mixing of new age beliefs, charging for ceremonies and death, which was never heard of before in our ancient ceremonial history.  There was also discussion of the use of other 'medicines' (drugs) in and around our ceremonies.  When the White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the Sacred Bundle, she instructed that only  those with a pure mind and heart should touch the C'anupa.  The ceremonies in question, in reference to all the Plains Tribes, were the I-ni-pi (Purification Ceremony), Wi-wanyang-wa-c'i-pi (Sundance Ceremony) and Han-ble-c'i-ya (vision quest) Sacred Rites. 

We put out notice in the newspapers, native radio stations and also contacted people through the phone.  I offered prayers for the safe journey of the People to this very important historic meeting.  Those that could not attend, I acknowledge their prayers for a good outcome for our concerns.
 
After long discussion and testimonies of the concerns and issues, it was decided that it would be up to me, as the Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe to make a decision.  It was good to feel the beginning of a Unity amongst our People.  This has been my concern for many decades, especially now, when we are facing an oncoming war. We need to stand strong with our ceremonies! 
 
I will state what the decision is and also explain the reasons.  I will state the protocols to our Seven Sacred Rites, which were passed down to me when I became the next Keeper at the age of 12 years old.  These protocols are traditional knowledge passed down through our oral history and need to be brought back to strengthen our 'Ho-c'o-ka' (our sacred alters) once again.
 
I will also address the areas that I cannot be involved in.  My responsibility is the Seven Sacred Rites.  It was decided, from March 9th, 2003 and forward, there will be no non-Natives allowed in our sacred Ho-c'o-ka (our sacred alters) where it involves our Seven Sacred Rites.  The only protection with this decision in Government law; is that only enrolled members can carry an eagle feather.  In all the Seven Sacred Rites, there has always been the understanding of earning and a requirement of an eagle feather while participating in these Rites.  The eagle feather stands for Indigenous knowledge and guidance in our spiritual ways.
 
The Wi-wanyang-wa-c'i-pi (Sundance Ceremony): The only participants allowed in the center will be Native People.  The non-Native people need to understand and respect our decision.  If there have been any unfinished commitments to the Sundance and non-Natives have concern for this decision; they must understand that we have been guided through prayer to reach this resolution.  Our purpose for the Sundance is for the survival of the future generations to come, first and foremost.  If the non-Natives truly understand this purpose, they will also understand this decision and know that by their departure from this Ho-c'o-ka (our sacred alter) is their sincere contribution to the survival of our future generations. 

Please understand the Wi-wanyang-wa-c'i-pi Ceremony is not only taking place in the center (Ho-c'o-ka) with the dancers.  Cremonial participation also depends on all the supporters on the outside of the arbor who should be in prayer.  From the gate, to the cook shack, to the fire-keepers, to the supporters around the arbor, to even the moon camp, all people are still a part of this sacred ceremony.
 
There should be a preparation of 'Han-ble-c'i-ya' (vision quest) before you become a participant of the Sundance.
 
We shall go back into this ceremony with the proper protocols before and during the ceremony itself.  Only those that have had the dream or direction through a ceremony, in concern of someone's health, should be dancing.  Dancers should be secluded from outside participants, as to not be contaminated by other people's energy or thoughts.  There should be absolutely no food or water during this four-day ceremony.  If there are health problems, you should choose a person to finish your commitment.  This ceremony is supposed to be for those that believe they can fulfill all required four days of the ceremony. 
 
Han-ble-c'i-ya (Vision Quest): The vision quest should be only for Native People that have had the dream or vision.  This Rite is also for the young men and women that reach the age of 12 years of age.
 
I-ni-pi (Purification Ceremony):  Those that run this sacred rite should be able to communicate with Tun-ca-s'i-la (our Sacred Grandfathers) in their Native Plains tongue.  They should also have earned this rite by completing Han-ble-c'i-ya and the four days and four years of the Wi-wanyang wa-c'i-pi. 
 
The other four sacred rites of the Hun-ka ka-g'a (Making of a Relative), the Ta-pa kah'-g'o-ya (Throwing of the Sacred Ball), Wi-yan is'-na ti (Womanhood Ceremony) and the Na-g'i glu-ha (Keeping of the Spirit Ceremony), should be only handled by legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate (People).

It was also decided only legitimate Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Oyate Medicine Bundle Keepers should handle any other ceremonies that are connected to our Ho-co-ka, such as the Lo-wa-pi and U-wi-pi ceremonies. There should be no price tag allowed to participate in any of our Sacred Ceremonies.  The only protocol needed for a ceremony is to o-pa-g'i, meaning to offer your C'anupa or offer tobacco that has been prayed with, in which the Medicine Person accepts or not accept if he is not able to assist.</sup>

<sup>Medicine People do need to survive, and if people wish to give a monetary or any other gifts after they receive their help from ceremony, giving it from their hearts, I see no problem with that.  We have to have faith that the Grandfathers will provide for our needs to survive in this modern society; whether the gift is money, blankets, food or anything that represents how much they appreciate the help.  Some people can afford big gifts, some people cannot.  It all balances out.

My position is only for the Seven Sacred Rites.  I cannot dictate to our Medicine People who they allow to attend and support these Rites, in reference to non-Native People.  I cannot dictate who they choose to doctor in their ceremonies. I cannot dictate where they travel to doctor.

I have my own personal feelings on who should be Keepers of our Sacred C'anupa (Pipe).  The C'anupa is very sacred and the Keeper should first be given a dream and be of Native decent.  This issue should be further discussed in our future meetings.  The reason for my feelings is that I am aware the C'anupa has gone out to the International community and has been for sale.  I know that most non-Native People do not understand the important protocols or have had the Traditional background to carry this sacred item properly. I am aware of women in their moon and men with blood on their hands (to take ones life intentionally) have been allowed to touch and carry the C'anupa.  These serious situations were never to be allowed.  I offer thanks to the non-Native People that have returned the C'anupa to our People, after I privately shared my concerns with them.  I acknowledge their true sincerity in assisting our Nation to protect the survival of our Traditional way of life on behalf of our future generations.  They have helped us bring back honor and respect to our sacred Ho-c'o-ka and C'anupa.

There was also discussion of only the Plains Tribal members to participate in the Ho-co-ka of the Wi-wanyang wa-c'i-pi and the Han-ble-c'i-ya Ceremonies.  In the early 70's, Chief Fools Crow and my father Stanley Looking Horse decided to allow other Native Nations to participate in these Rites.  Their reasons were based on the fact that most Nations have lost their ways through assimilation or lack of Teachers to teach their Indigenous ways.  They honored and understood the unity of the First Nations People when different Tribes came to the aid of the Wounded Knee Occupation.  I cannot undo their decision out of respect for our Chief and Elder.  It has also been in our history that our Ancestors have respectfully shared our ceremonies with other Indigenous Nations.

The original teachings were that the Pipe Carrier should make their own C'anupa.  There was an understanding of the sincere spiritual energy and the traditional values passed down through our bloodlines. All the values of compassion, love, honor, respect and truth are molded into the spiritual life they are creating.  I hope that one day the future generations will again pick up this important protocol.
 
I would like to invite all our Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations to the next ceremony when I bring out the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Bundle. The dates in the fall will be announced.  During this time we will place the 12 honorable compassionate men to assist in taking care of the concerns of the Sacred C'anupa.  We will also discuss the protocols of the need to have a good mind and good heart to be a member of the Societies that will carry out these decisions in a respectful manner.
 
There will be another Protection of Ceremonies meeting to further discuss and address these serious issues in the future.  This meeting will be sponsored by the Cheyenne Nation.
 
Once again, I thank all those that have offered prayers for these very serious issues to be discussed and handled in a good way.
 
In the Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!</sup>
 
Mitakuye Oyasin,
 
Arvol Looking Horse,
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe

Received:  November 1, 2001

We are at the Crossroads!

Received: April 12, 2001

Arctic Wildlife Refuge 

Mitakuye (my relative)

<sup>I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th generation keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, would like to continue to add my support and prayers to protect Sacred Site of the Arctic Refuge.

This is one of the last wilderness places, where we the Indigenous Nations should fully add our strong united voice for this protection of our Animal Nations upon Mother Earth.</sup> 

<sup>We have witnessed other places where oil drilling has taken place and have seen the effects it has taken on the environment.  If we allow this energy to come in to poison our Animal Nations and destroy our Mother Earth, this will surely affect our mind, body and spirit. Look around you, our Mother Earth is very ill from these violations and we are at a brink of destroying a healthy and nurturing survival for generations to come.  With our thoughtlessness we are bringing disaster to our future!  We fail to appreciate and honor our Sacred Sites, ripping out the minerals that lay underneath them as if Mother Earth were simply a resource, instead of the Source of Life itself.  How can we allow this to happen? Understand that the whole point of our own existence depends on becoming a Keeper of Mother Earth.

The Arctic Refuge, ‘Where the life begins!’ the name given by the Gwich’in, is a sacred birthing and nursing grounds of the Porcupine River Caribou Herd, on which the Gwich’in rely for food, nutrition and spiritual well-being.  As the Buffalo is to the Lakota, Dakota & Nakota Nation, so is the Caribou to the Gwich’in.  The Gwich’in don't see the man-made boundaries.  They understand the Animal Nation’s migration and depend on their brother the Caribou to return back through their territory.</sup>

^{The coastal plain is also the birthplace of many other life forms -- of nesting birds, spawning fish, wolves, polar bears and countless others. The death of these Animal Nations will destroy the Gwich’in Way of Life as a People, as well as the other Indigenous Nations in this territory.}

^{The United States should move toward other forms of energy that are safe for ALL Nations upon Mother Earth. A recent program aired on PBS, “NOW” with Bill Moyers, a guest interview with an experienced environmentalist, Hunter Loving of Rocky Mountain Institute, shared that only a very small percentage of oil will be extracted from this Sacred Site for the need of all world consumption.}

^{How can this small percentage justify the beginning of yet another extinction of all the Animals that depend on their clean quiet environment to give birth?  It’s now up to Congress to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling or make a wise decision to preserve this sacred place for generations to come. If this development begins and the Caribou are endangered to extinction, the Gwich’in believe, they'll no longer have a purpose in life, since the Creator put them there to protect this territory.}

^{In carrying our Message of the need for Global Healing, my work has focused on the awareness of all Mother Earth’s Sacred Sites through the ceremony of World Peace & Prayer Day, June 21st, which is being taken to the Four Directions upon Mother Earth. Let us walk to this day in prayer; for all that those who struggle to protect our future generations survival by voicing and creating a peaceful, yet powerful stand to stop this genocide!}  

^{In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!}    

<sup>Mitakuye Oyasin (all my relations)

Chief Arvol Looking Horse,</sup> 

^{19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe}

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