There are a number of very challenging issues at play here, not least of which is the fact that the rainbow gathering is a leaderless society and there is no one person to address concerns to. Couple that with a more hierarchical nature of many native traditions and confusion is bound to reign.
While we don't have people in charge of decision making, we do have processes. The current process is spring council/counsel/circle that happens on the land. All peaceful people are welcome to attend and participate in the council. All peaceful people are welcome to state their fears, hopes, concerns, problems, issues, and potential resolutions. Not only are all people welcome, but we always encourage people with home conflicts exist to participate.
Making pleas on the Internet for the gathering to move to a less controversial location is not always effective. Making pleas on the land by talking to individuals and participating in the council/counsel/circle process is much more effective and I strongly encourage people with concerns to participate. I especially invite all members of the Lakota nation to come share your perspectives on the land. Please trust me that this is the best way to sort things out with the gathering.
To everyone, please understand that just because potential solutions are not posted on the Internet, does not indicate that people on the land are not working on solutions. In this Internet fueled, instant media world, the gathering happens in an embodied place. For those who are addicted to information, this can be frustrating. I sincerely request that everyone not on the land or actively working on potential solutions spend some time praying, meditating, creating blessings, or other positive energy in an embodied form to help heal this situation.
Please as we work through these issues, let us all do so with peace in our hearts, gentle and well-thought out words, and love for everyone, especially those with whom we disagree.
As a blogger, I do not control what happens, I merely try to provide the best information I can on gathering related issues. I appreciate very much all the heartfelt pleas for a peaceful resolution to some very real issues this quagmire will be solved by human being talking to each other in person.
Thanks again Karen for taking the time, during a very difficult time, to put yourself out there. Lovin' you, Jay
ReplyDeleteRight on, Karin! This is the posting I made to the United Urban Warrior Society's Facebook page regarding their petition to stop the Gathering:
ReplyDeleteGreetings Members of the UUWS,
I would like to address the UUWS's concerns about the Rainbow Gathering possibly happening in the Black Hills this July. Your concerns are quite valid and the comments listed do indeed describe many of the Rainbow Family members. Rainbow struggles with familiar problems like addiction, violence, poverty, and the like. So do the Native American tribes. They are human problems, not just "Rainbow" problems.
I was hurt by the very derogatory, judgmental, and demeaning comments made about the Rainbow Family both on "Red Power Media" and the petitions circulated by the UUWS. It
sounds more like the hate speech both groups (the Rainbows and the Sioux) have come to expect from those who do not seek to understand. The authors have likely not been to any Rainbow Gatherings themselves. I don't think the authors of these articles see that the Rainbows and the Sioux are allies, not enemies. We have more in common than what is presented by these viewpoints.
The Rainbow Gathering does not come to destroy the land. It comes to honor, enjoy, and respect it. Granted, some do not and there is an impact, a temporary one. How many tribal members from the Sioux Nation also do not honor the land?
The UUWS is calling upon the Federal Government to stop the Gathering. This is the same government that appropriated the Black Hills for itself through war. The Feds have tried to stop the Rainbow Gatherings through force for over 40 years and have not only failed, but gave up. We now work with the Feds in a mutually beneficial agreement to treat the land in the least harmful way and clean up without a trace. We also do not return to the same sites for National Gatherings, only to the same forests, usually a minimum of 20 years apart. As far as I know Rainbows have not gathered in the Black Hills since '93 and there were no protests then and the land has recovered.
I urge members of the UUWS and the Sioux Nation to help, support, and gather WITH us, not oppose us. Teach the "white man" how to gather with more respect. If that region is chosen, the Gathering is going to happen with or without the help of the UUWS. No one wants a confrontation. Please reconsider your position on this. It would be for the best of all if tribal members came to teach and heal instead of throwing hatred at fellow beings who come in peace.
Thank you for your consideration.
I think this viewpoint shows a lot of respect for the Lakota Nation and should be honored.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.unnecessaryg.com/blog/?p=3347
I worked as an archeologist with native American tribes fro many years. Rarely do their tribal councils represent the will of the people or tribe. On the contrary more likely the casino and/or the Department of Energy. Take an objective look at the rez' and be honest with yourself if these people care about their land. Just because someone is native does not mean they can be trusted or no more about nature. Again, look how they treat their own land!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you are expecting some harmony and wisdom from these people that they don't even have with each other. On the contrary, after living with a Navajo medicine family I can assure you most native Americans hate their tribal councils and do not trust them either. Don't be deceived by dances, costumes, and trinkets because most of those native 'traditional' people are charlatans and those native lands are not only TRUST lands owned and run by the US government not a handful of local Indians, but often not even their traditional areas anyway. They are reservations that they were moved to. Just ask Warren Buffet if he wants to give the Yuroks any water to drink this summer. Not trying to be negative, just realistic. If they don't want to be friendly screw them and have it somewhere else because WE DON'T NEED THEM! Let's keep our feet on the ground and know when WE are being disrespected.
Better to have many regionals than cause divisions among fellow tribes and invade their ancestral home.. which is not "national forest" btw.
ReplyDelete