This blog will be written with the idea of understanding American culture as an Oglala Sioux Indian. I have been on the East Coast since 2014. I am experiencing American culture from a Native American perspective. I hope to bring you along on this journey. I believe I have walked among angels and even met God. It has been the greatest time of my life, and I will be sharing it here. Thank you and enjoy.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Lakota Gold
A few years ago we started a coffee house in Pine Ridge Village and I have to say I love coffee but I do not really like the super hot kind. I do like my ice coffees and like to drink a cup with at least three shots of espresso. I met an Italian man from the east coast and we were in Chadron, Nebraska and we went to the coffee house and he ordered a mocha chino and I thought it was the coolest thing. I ordered one too and it was really great and that was my drink for a long time. I also like the triple shot iced Americano with a shot of cinnamon dolce with room for cream. When someone orders a latte with Soy milk I call that a John Travolta because he seems like a guy who would drink Soy. But with all of my coffee that I drink and savor at times I love a dark brew. I wanted to develop a coffee that I would be honored to call Lakota Gold.
A few years ago we developed this label and now I have had this coffee label under wraps. Since that time I have come into contact with three coffees from Indian Country. We were selling Lakota Gold because it is bold and strong and today it is the #1 seller at the Higher Ground Coffee House. But the three Indian Coffees came years ago when the Activist turned Actor Russell Means came up with Means Beans and it never really got off the ground but it was a great idea. Then in the last year I heard of Hoka Coffee from Pine Ridge and one of our customers is selling the coffee and developing and has high hopes to develop the company on the Pine Ridge. And now Native Aemrican Coffee Company is growing by leaps and bounds it is run by Jayson Brave Heart and it is going to be a great company. But I have decided to bring out my own label once again for the Holiday Season. I am sure it will be fun to sell the coffee.
When we started the Higher Ground Coffee House it was clear lots of people never thought it would work. A Gourmet Coffee House in the Village of Pine Ridge, one of the poorest places in America and now almost ten years later the coffee house is still growing and developing. I have made coffees since day one and I have also developed my culinary skill and it has been fun learning to make different dishes. I have some favorites but I am excited to bring a steak dinner to the table on Friday. I thought I would drop a few lines and share what I am doing with my time. Who knows where the Lakota Gold will go and how far?
Best Frybread Pine Ridge Village
In the last few weeks I have seen flyers around Pine Ridge Village and I thought this is a great idea. I have learned to make frybread and it is fun but it is truly a gift. I make yeast frybread but I have seen baking powder frybread done. I have mostly had the yeast bread and it is my favorite. I once went to a American Indian youth conference, I had the opportunity to help make frybread and I remember it was hard work because there were lots of us making it for a huge gathering at a Montana State University at Bozeman. I remember the triangles of tasty bread just off the stove. It was a great time but exhausting.
Bread is such a great way to get to know people, I love the idea of breaking bread with people and have some great experiencing remembering what Jesus did and now we can have bread and wine to remember what Jesus did for the world. I am going spiritual but it is ok because there are so many positive aspects of bread.
I have learned to make different breads and have sold them at the Higher Ground Coffee House in Pine Ridge Village. I want to have a chili and frybread contest or join one at some point because I believe I can make some great chili. I want to see if people will get interested in doing a contest. It will be fun and I hope we can get lots of people to come and enjoy the food.
On another note it is great to see people take the effort and get out there and sell a product. I believe people want to be successful and they want to share their passion. I have believed for some time when you find someone with passion you should encourage the passion because that is a key in the life of a successful person. So I hope to try this frybread and hopefully it will be as great as they say.
Bread is such a great way to get to know people, I love the idea of breaking bread with people and have some great experiencing remembering what Jesus did and now we can have bread and wine to remember what Jesus did for the world. I am going spiritual but it is ok because there are so many positive aspects of bread.
I have learned to make different breads and have sold them at the Higher Ground Coffee House in Pine Ridge Village. I want to have a chili and frybread contest or join one at some point because I believe I can make some great chili. I want to see if people will get interested in doing a contest. It will be fun and I hope we can get lots of people to come and enjoy the food.
On another note it is great to see people take the effort and get out there and sell a product. I believe people want to be successful and they want to share their passion. I have believed for some time when you find someone with passion you should encourage the passion because that is a key in the life of a successful person. So I hope to try this frybread and hopefully it will be as great as they say.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Prison Camp and Stolen Indian Lands
The two photos above are tied together in history and a geographical reality. I found the POW Camp photo on the border near White Clay, Nebraska and the second one Indian Land sale from Facebook but it dawned on me because I have been searching to understand what took place over the last 130 years in Lakota history. The Dawes Act was the greatest rip off of land because it basically took just over half the lands Indian lands and then sold them off to White settlers. They were on a mission to assimilate and/or kill the Indian people. This is the genocide of our people and I am happy to know people are understanding history of what took place in Indian Country.
I know a guy who actually screamed at me and told me Our people were a conquered people and I should have knocked him out but I took pity on him. What the United States has done and continue to do today is shocking. I have been writing in Lakota Country Times about my missionary experience since 1995 and it has been really bad. I actually try not to tell people I am Christian because some of these people are rotten at the core. Almost everyone of the Missionaries I have dealt with has tried to take over because of the paternalistic attitudes and their sin of coveting. I had two corporate take overs and one failed and the other succeeded and these missionaries are still around. The one that worked was because the land owners believed the White Guy but he eventually failed and has moved back across the border near White Clay. The other White Missionary couple who tried to destroy me is out to the West of Pine Ridge Village. It is interesting that they stole most of my support because they lied about me and then again the White donors actually believe the White Missionary. I was told by some church leaders that they were evil and I should stay away from them.
I believe our people were targeted for Cultural Genocide and I want to work on developing some paradigms to help our people out of the oppression and devastation. We are in deep poverty and the onslaught of White Missionaries are still coming and I am not sure it is the answer because they usually end up together and become powerless to help our people. We as a people need to rise up and begin to take control of our own lives and stop depending on the White Missionary because they do not have enough resources to help us out of our poverty. I hope to continue to develop ideas to help us and hope people will pray for me and seek to help.
The land was stolen and then resold and people have continued to take Indian land. They placed on the Reservations and they were essentially concentration camps and we were not allowed to leave. They said we were Off The Reservation and could be killed if were caught outside of the Prison Camp. Today we live on the little left and still they try to take the Indian Land. We have our history and we know where we have come from, which is from our ancestors. The Lords of the Plains and we will come to a healing, I believe it will come from the Creator.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Alcohol Hearing/Impeachment Process
Garfield Little Dog Steel is speaking on behalf of himself during his impeachment process against himself. August 2013 there was the referendum alcohol hearing in Pine Ridge Village and there were about 20 people in the audience. I asked the opponents of the referendum where there people were because I did not see many of their supporters. I went as a witness because I wanted to be informed about what was going on. I believe the final decision is set for December but there may be some changes because there is a dismissal challenge by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council in the Oglala Sioux Tribal Court.
Today September 23, 2013 the impeachment process is happening and there are about 80 people and you can feel the tension but it shows that there are some things the light a fire under people. I thought I would just share just a little.
Today September 23, 2013 the impeachment process is happening and there are about 80 people and you can feel the tension but it shows that there are some things the light a fire under people. I thought I would just share just a little.
Monday, August 12, 2013
The Black Jesus
“YOU NEED TO TAKE A HOLD OF THE BLACK JESUS”. I have been sharing with people about this
concept. It is not about Jesus being
black but the reality he was not White.
On a trip to Washington DC I was visiting an Inner-City church and I
came across a post card of sorts and it was a picture of the Black Jesus. I was a little stunned because I like most
have only ever seen a blond haired, blue eyed Jesus. Of course I like the picture of Jesus with
long hair and brown skin but I am Indian, oh I meant American Indian. In the first part of the 19th
Century there was a point in history that would change the way we as Lakota and
other Indigenous Nations would exist. It
was around then the churches took federal funding to destroy the Indian and
save the man tactics for the government.
It was a thought the Indigenous people were equal but had an inferior
culture. Now we can debate this for a
long time but it does not matter, because we are in this situation now; it was
disastrous to the American Indian Life.
I have heard of stories when a
white man came to the door the children would run and hide. The preachers and priest use to visit homes
seeking to share their faith and messages.
My own mother was made to go to school with a threat of having her
father sent to jail. I know some of you
know the feeling of a white man coming to the door and then running and
hiding. We had fear of the welfare lady
coming and we hid in our home back in the inner-city. The churches and other federal agents sought
to destroy the Lakota culture and take away the central facet of the culture,
which is language. No one really talks
about the involvement of the “Church” being an agent of the government but it
goes to show you, good intentions do not always bring good results. We know there are instances wrong doings
committed by the church and I am developing thought about these happenings.
I have a difficult time talking
about race because in my understanding we come from one creator and not many
creations. Thus, the human race is one
but just like siblings fights break out and the further you go from your
cousins the less they mean to you. So we
end up with different cultures around the world with different shades of brown. I have not seen a red man or a black man or
white man or yellow for that matter, maybe the closest I have to a red man was
when I saw this white guy who got sunburned but he was more pink than red. I am sorry but we need to realize we are but
one race and different cultures is what divides us. My message of the “Black Jesus” is to share
with people who do not have a clue about the Savior or Wanikiya. Lakota people sought for a savior and sang
the songs to call the Wanikiya(Savior) to come and save them. Now we have so much white guilt and white
hatred people are fueled in these ways.
It is a trick to keep up from the Knowledge of the Savior.
I am not going to seek to expose
the wrongdoings of people who came to Lakota country and did it with government
monies, such as the churches. It is just
an interesting point in our history that they were giving money to churches to
make the Indians “Christians”. It did
not work, and we have many confused individuals in Lakota Country. We can see what the effects are when you look
around the Reservations. It is a sad
state of affairs and you can see the destruction left behind by the policies of
the Government and the Churches. There
is a constant feeling of not being good enough among our Lakota people. I am not good enough and neither is any race
among mankind. We must begin to embrace truth
and see what are past has done to our future and present.
Now me being a Follower of Jesus
I need to preface my idea about being human.
We as a race of people will never be good enough to stand before a Holy
or Wanka Creator. So the idea needs to
be clear and concise because we have not found a Great White Savior because it
does not exist. We can argue religion or
ways all day, but in the end we need to understand Jesus was more than dark
skinned man, he is the Savior or Wanikiya.
The dignity of the Lakota Man has been stripped away by the Government
and the Church because it took away his identity. We need to begin to think differently in regards
to our future. Embracing a black Jesus
will help you to know the lighter your skin does not make you better or
worse.
I have written about some issues
we need to address and they are banking and Casino. We have many issues but these are important
to get the ball rolling. We can walk in
two worlds, making money to support our future is imperative. Look, Rapid City does not mind if we come to
their city and spend our money but what if we took the land back and put up the
casino, and started making money? It
would be a good responsible move in regards to being American. If there are any Council members reading this
I hope you think about it and begin the process of studying who owns the land
where Sioux Park sits in West Rapid City?
Then begin the process of developing a plan and locating monies to build
a convention center and make the government responsible for better health care
at Sioux San. We must humble ourselves
as Lakota and begin to work together.
Each tribe can donate machines so we can have our set machines through the
compact with the state. I can imagine
the State of South Dakota will not be happy but in the end, it will be a
federal issue and the trust land will be our responsibility. We could use our own people to police the
facility.
It is time we begin to change
our future as the Lakota Nation. The
Great Sioux Nation was a great idea our forefathers gave us and now we need to
use our brains take back our dignity.
We as humans are equal but until
people take a hold the person of Jesus, we will continue to struggle with
untruth. We as the Lakota Nation can
change our destiny and the United States Government will need to honor their
word through the treaty. I hope that we
can now move forward and begin to set a path of healing in regards to what the
“Church” and U.S. Government has done in the name of civility.
In closing this blog of old, I
would like to share with you my latest understanding. Many people actually are not sharing the
person of Jesus; they are sharing a set of rules. I like the idea of the Black Jesus because it
shares with people an idea, this idea is to understand Jesus is not just for
the White people but he is for all people I have seen many pictures since I
first saw the Black Jesus and they were from many cultures and yes I did see a
picture of Jesus in buckskin. My question
to you is, can you handle the Black Jesus?
Monday, July 29, 2013
The Death of White Clay
I have said it many times and I will not stop, the only way to close White Clay is to open up sales of Alcohol on the Pine Ridge. The people in the northern part of Sheridan County do like the way their communities looks. They want us to go back to where we came from, duh that would be the Great Sioux Nation. This little area is suppose to be protected from this type of trade, or alcohol. I am going to be blunt in this because I believe we are a great people. I have met people actually believe we are less human than the white people because we lack genes. I am sick of people believing we are less than human. I have tried to be respectful but it is time to make changes in our lives.
When I was young I studied prohibition of the early 20th century and it was not successful. People seemed to actually drink more and crime rose in the 20s. I do not like to see our people in White Clay begging for money and passing out on the streets. It is a sad place and I hope the people will vote for the sales of alcohol on the Pine Ridge because it is time we deal with our own problems. The beer store owners are not going to help us. I know a couple of them but they are just out to make a living. Let's shut down White Clay by voting for Alcohol Sales on the Pine Ridge.
Remember Rez Ramblings on Amazon
Labels:
Alcohol Sales,
Oglala,
Pine Ridge Reservation,
Sioux,
White Clay
Thursday, July 25, 2013
White Clay Readers
I have been
working on selling my book Rez Ramblings available on Amazon. I spent my last two years of high school working
on the Oglala Light, Oglala Community High School’s newspaper. I learned layouts and wrote many
editorials. I had a great teacher who
taught me to be myself. Just be your self-Leon,
was the best lesson I learned. It is
easier to just be me. Since I wrote my
book I have been working to sell the book, marketing is difficult. I have 1100 plus people who took the time to
like my Rez Ramblings page and I would like to ask you to purchase a book. If everyone on my list bought the book it
would empower me to continue to write and share my stories.
The Higher Ground Coffee House
in Pine Ridge allowed me to serve our relatives in White Clay. I would often bring extra breakfast to our
relatives. I believe it is the greatest
gift when you can give. Give of your
time and your resources and you will be rewarded with respect and love. I believe our people are amazing and
wonderful, no one is perfect. I have
been thinking about my picture above and it is awesome, because the Relatives
in White Clay would tell me they read my articles. Seeking to bring hope to a strong and
beautiful people please consider buying a book.
Rez Ramblings
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and what you thought you could hit
actually was a curve. While living in
the 21st century I realize we are young in our relationship with the
European and their quest for gold. I
have often spoken about the culture of more and the American Dream is actually
an idea of greed. In the coming days I
want to write about empowerment and how we can help each other. I have worked for free for 18 years serving
the Gospel of Christ, because I believe in the message. The message of serving and giving up oneself
is powerful. My desire is to grow my
company and keep writing because I believe we have a great story. The following story was submitted to my
people. How many people can talk about
their people? I have lived an open life
and have shared my thoughts and ideas and I am grateful for the respect and
love I have received. I am fighting for
my life and for the story to move forward.
I thought of writing more in the Johnny Depp story but I wanted you to
read what I have written to the Lakota Nation.
My life is an open book and I hope you get to read more. the book Rez Ramblings is here and I need empowerment. I hope you will consider helping me buy a book and if you have already done so I would hope you would buy a book for a friend. Looking to be empowered through your help. https://www.createspace.com/3941671
Captain Jack or Tonto is trying to buy the Wounded Knee land that is up
for sale. I know there are a lot of
talks in American Indian circles about The Lone Ranger and the role of Tonto,
played by Johnny Depp. Honestly, it will
go down as one of the best Indian movies for Indians. Unfortunately the story is not pro-European
American and white guilt could make the movie bust. With that being said, it is apparent some
trades were not always fair. The movie
starts with trading and throughout the movie you realize things are upside
down, watch for a silver mine and peanuts for a dead mouse. I
enjoyed the trade with the little boy, peanuts for a dead mouse, it really set
the movie because Tonto traded and it depicts the American Indian as a person
who trades. It told the story of the
White Man who was greedy and underhanded as they raided the house as Comanche
and the Army killed for the wrong reason. Depp as an executive producer made
all the right moves and it was a powerful movie.
I like Pirates of the Caribbean
and watched all the movies and I have to say, Captain Jack truly played
Tonto. Look, Johnny Depp is not an
Indian culturally he has Indian blood and that is good enough for me; the
government tried to kill off the Indian and his offspring. I say, if Mr. Depp wants to be Indian, it is
cool because we need all the Indians we can get. I read a post about the greatest holocaust, it
was not in Eastern Europe, it was in the Western Hemisphere and 100 million
people were lost and their land was stolen by greedy foreigners. I do not want to hate on the White Man or his
children but I do want my story told and if it is told by a Pirate, so be
it. Johnny Depp is seeking to buy the
land and give it back to the tribe. My
personal opinion is the land is priceless, because of the history. Of course on the other side of the table you
are going to find the same type of White Man trying to find his silver or
gold. I would like to see Tonto, Captain
Jack, or Mr. Depp trade with the White Man and maybe it is peanuts.
Tonto is a great figure and
because the Pirate Jack Sparrow is playing the role it has brought the Comanche
and other tribal people’s stories to the forefront in American and possibly the
World Media. Once again the Lakota are
being talked about and our Tribal Government is working to get this done. I believe Mr. Depp has the right heart and
wants to be respectful as he played Tonto he is not authentically an Indian but
he is an actor who has always been himself. Authenticity is a great value and I assure you
the reader Depp played the role as authentically as he could. He brought in Indian actors to play Indians
and that should be praised as we are a growing people once again. I would personally like to see a Civic Center
at Wounded Knee to establish the Truth and people could hear from the Residents
of Wounded Knee and it would be awesome to have a Ranger there to help people.
(Just some thoughts)
Our story has not ended with the
history. Railroads were built in the
1800s and Indian people were moved and removed.
Our way of life was challenged and we became stagnant and that has hurt
our people immensely. I see it all the
time we are not flowing like the water, we are in a pond and we need to keep
the water flowing. I sense we have lost
our way to use the healing of water and it is has changed us as a people. We know the churches were sent to destroy our
culture and they did a pretty good job.
But we must learn define ourselves if we are going to thrive in this
century. I see more people leaving the
churches to follow Jesus. Churches are
corporations and are run like a business, even the short-term mission groups
are business ventures. It is like going
on a safari so you see the wild kingdom and get to play with the Native
Children. Ok so I digressed, but I want
you to know the companies and corporations bring church groups are
business. They even made a business out
of Jesus.
Monday, July 15, 2013
As I reflect on the last 130 year I am realizing what are people have
endured and the loss of a beautiful way of life. Lakota have survived the worst winter storms
and summer droughts the plains could throw at them as they lived in
Freedom. The Oyate Tatanka/Buffalo
Nation was brought to the point of extinction because of the greedy railroad
men who wanted to expand and make money.
Men like Crazy Horse, Spotted Tail, Big Foot, and Sitting Bull were
being taken out of the way and life was becoming difficult to live. At the forefront of the issues of those days in
the latter part of the 19th Century was the Ghost Dance. The Ghost Dance can be considered a
millennium religion because they were looking at a new century and wanting to
establish hope. Many of the people
turned to Christianity but it was not the faith of the Bible it was a
de-cultural tool of the Government. My
mother was a member of the Episcopal Church and would talk about her religion
and respected the people who turned to the Lakota Spiritual Ways.
Back to the Ghost Dance, it was
a new religion mixing the Paiute Ways and an idea of a Savior or the
Christ. It promised a few things, like
the old people would return, white people would go away, and the old ways along
with the Bison would return. The Christ
would come and save the people and this is why people were desperate for the
old ways. As the Reservations were
established as concentration camps, Red Cloud was the strong Statesman and he
served the people well. He wanted
Education for the children and brought the Black Robes or Jesuits to train the
children at Holy Rosary. From that point
on my family was engaged in kinship with the Red Cloud family. My grandfather Wallace Red Shirt was a cousin
to Oliver Red Cloud the Traditional Itanca (Chief/Leader).
Grandpa Oliver gave me a message
when I was turning 40 years old. We
would visit often but my first visit was with my mother and grandpa
Oliver. I drove her out to his place and
he was alone and invited us into his home.
My mother referred to him as Uncle/Leksi and I was just listening, but I
was introduced and sat quietly. They
talked about the relatives and it was a very beautiful meeting of family
members. I would run into the Chief at
gathering places and would shake his hand and give my respect. It was amazing that he would often tease me
because I was a young man. I worked hard
to share my experience of Jesus; who I met in Colorado and walked the Jesus
Road on the Rez.
I have experienced many
“Christians” during my time on the Reservation and many were good people just
living out their lives. We must remember
many of the “Christians” came to Lakota country in a move to colonize the
people. They were sent by the government
to destroy our people. I am not a Sun
Dancer and I do not practice the old ways because I follow Jesus. I fail and work to get back up and walk in
forgiveness. Jesus died for my faults
and imperfections and yes the bad thoughts and bad deeds. I have forgotten something Grandfather Oliver
told me in the conversation that brought me into adulthood and away from being
a young man.
We were at a funeral and my son
came up to me and said, “Dad that man wants to talk with you.” I saw that it was Grandpa Oliver and walked
over to him to see what he wanted. I had
just finished my prayers and my message.
He addressed me as grandson and began to tell me, “I use to make fun and
tease you. But, now I will no longer do
this because you are a Wicasa or Man.”
He heard my prayers and knew my grandmothers who were beautiful singers
and he was now going to treat me as an adult.
He told me he wanted me to share with our people the afterlife and because
they needed to hear about the Jesus way and what would happen in the afterlife
I am thankful for the
opportunity to know my relatives and how they have brought me to a better
understanding of the struggles we have been faced with. The Way of Jesus is narrow and many people
would rather travel their own way. I get
that and respect it because it was the way I was brought up as a child. But my duty to God and Wanikiya or Jesus is
to share the Good News, which is he loves us so much we do not have to do
anything for salvation but accept the gift.
I was taught it was disrespectful not to accept a gift. I am not a perfect man but I am a man of
Passion and this passion is to see my relatives come to understand the God of
the Bible and not the god of the Government.
We only have a few short years in our lives and our forefathers walked
that road and now we must follow them.
My goal is to get healthy and work harder and seek to live up to what
Grandpa Oliver asked me to do. We will
miss him and I want to share with the family I am praying for you.
My difficulties are we were
misled, not by the alcohol or the greed of the Wasicu, but by the churches who
came to our people and tried to teach us religion. Religion is a nasty thing and has caused
death in many areas around the world.
When I talk about the Jesus road it is a following of the teachings and
not the religion of men. Nazi Germany
had re-training camps as did the Red Chinese and their evil Communism and a
destruction of people. America took the
children and started in Pennsylvania at Carlyle Indian School and began a
brainwashing machine. Indian people were
hungry and had to send their children off to school or they would die. A once proud people lived and thrived on the
Plains of North America. It is said, Red
Cloud’s and Spotted Tail’s children were the first to travel 1600 miles away
from their families. It was the worst
time in history where 100 million Indigenous People lost their lives and their
land.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Life and Death
Life and Death
Rez Ramblings May 20, 2013
Two Photographs depicting life among the Oglala Lakota
people. One is at the Higher Ground with
a flower garden that rivals many gardens around the country, where life is
evident. The second photograph depicts
death and an artist really brought a strong statement to what White Clay means
to the Indian people. In the past couple
weeks two beer trucks were attacked and the state troopers plan more
enforcement because the beer is being attacked.
There was also an incident of a driver of one of the trucks driving
being threatened with a knife. I do not
really know what happened but this is what is happening in the town of White
Clay. Death is in the air as you travel
through the four block town. I read in
one article the protestors were not even from the area. I assure you that these people are from Pine
Ridge but they may have a few friends from other places. So you can see the death ahead in the second
photo and it is early in the warm season.
The first photo was taken at the Higher Ground and Pine
Ridge Gospel Fellowship. The spring
season is upon us at the flowers and plants are blooming as I write this short
article. The beauty that can be seen on
the Pine Ridge is powerful and the death across the border can also be
seen. I have thought about the way we
live our lives and how there is a lot of people who make money off death and
destruction. I am not opposed to people
making a living but it is time we as a people formerly start to regulate the
alcohol that comes upon on our Reservation.
I actually catered a meal in White Clay over the past
weekend and made a beef stew with my own frybread and it was pretty good. There are ways to make money but we need to
start by becoming responsible. I am
selling my own book “Rez Ramblings” available on Amazon and my own photos that
I have been taking since last summer. Self
Determination is vital to our sovereignty but we need to take the steps to
become full Oglala Tribal Members and that means we must regulate the sale of
alcohol. The stores may not close but
they will not make tons of money on the backs of the Oglala.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Sioux Nation Shopping Center
Breaking News: Sioux Nation Shopping Center is finished by August 4, 2013 due to Resolution by Oglala Sioux Tribe on May 9, 2013. The vote was 15 for the removal of contract and 1 not voting. Last year the store was closed due to sell rotten meat and that was the main reason for the pulling of the contract. Other reasons mentioned today were bad employment practices and food not found healthy for tribal members.
Well I tried to work with the store but they did not trust me and now they are voted out basically as a bad white man clause. A detriment to the Oglala Sioux people. I heard people say they were bringing out of date meats from other stores and they did not properly promote Lakota people. They brought in non-Indian people to manage there departments. Well we will see what happens in the near future.
Labels:
Lakota,
Pine Ridge,
Sioux Nation
Location:
Pine Ridge, SD, USA Pine Ridge
Monday, May 6, 2013
State Troopers and Police Protecting Beer Sales
The first week of May saw a beer truck attacked literally, Rez Ramblings talked to the Sherriff of Sheridan County and was told two tires on a beer truck were stabbed. No one knows who stabbed the tires but as you can see, the police are watching over the beer trucks. State Troopers were on hand to watch over the beer delivery. Once again we spoke to these troopers and asked if patrolling the highways were their only duties. One trooper told Rez Ramblings their duty was to keep the Law. Now that brings us to a point of confusion because the people on the streets are walking around with open containers.
I was nice to the officers and respectful because they do what they are told. But the streets of White Clay are littered with beer cans and people are sleeping on the streets in the middle of the day or they are passed out. So commerce is protected with at least five police cars and yet the town is lawless for the most part. I have been keeping up to date with the American Indian Movement Grassroots and have heard from both sides. The police do not have any idea what to do in White Clay. And AIM Grassroots believe they must stay on the border to hurt commerce in the town of White Clay.
I talked to a business owner and heard the town of White Clay and Rushville were hurt by the people protesting on the border. They slowed money going to White Clay and Rushville because of their protesting.
I have said it time and time again it is a difficult issue in White Clay because as you can see the police or on the side of beer sellers because it is money that is speaks. The overtime and the man hours is hurting the State and County in Nebraska because they are having to work more hours in this little unincorporated town in Nebraska. I have seen State, Tribal, and Federal workers try to solve the Indian Problem but no entity has been able to even come close solving the problem.
Historically there was suppose to be buffer zone to keep alcohol sales away from the Reservation but it is right on the border. I have stated other times the only way to solved the issue is to start selling alcohol on the Pine Ridge but this might not work either because it would depend on the tax and cost of products on the Reservation.
I am a proponent of making our choices because that is what happens in Nations around the world. We need to start making decisions for ourselves and not worry about State regulations because are meant to be a Sovereign, in order to do this we must seek to regulate the alcohol coming into Pine Ridge. Most of the beer bought in White Clay comes back across the border and the Tribal Police cannot keep up with the volume. The court system in Pine Ridge is overrun with alcohol related crimes and most of the people in the prison/jail are incarcerated due to alcohol related crimes.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Land for Sale at Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee is the killing field of over three Lakota/Sioux
Indians; it is located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. May 1, 2013 is the deadline for James
Czywczynski who has owned the land and another parcel of land to the North
since the 1960s; he has stated he will give the Oglala Sioux Tribe to purchase
his land for 4.9 million dollars. It was
appraised for 7 thousand for each parcels of land. The picture above shows the land that is up for
sale and it has sat for forty years without getting developed. In 1973 the American Indian Movement came to
the village and thought to take a stand for the Rights of American
Indians. We have seen people make money
from this event and not Mr. Czwczynski would also like to take his shot and capitalizing
from the death of Lakota. The FBI Agent
in Charge wrote a book about the events of Wounded Knee and his son is arguing
with another writer who wrote about the death of Raymond Yellow Thunder in
Gordon, Nebraska. And now the guy wrote
a book about Wounded Knee because it is vital to understanding American Indian
History and you can make some money on the way.
I am not surprised as an American Indian by what is
happening. People have sought to find
their fortunes ever since the European or English came to the shores of the
Americas. They sought Gold and traveled
looking for gold and a fountain of youth.
Land has always been at the forefront of what the Europeans have fought
and died over the last five hundred years.
Manifest Destiny was an idea found in first part of the 1800s by a
newspaper man. It basically said to take
the land and wipe the Indians out because it was a God ordained for the White
Man to rule the earth. It is pure evil
and it continues to be in the spirits of the people of South Dakota and
Nebraska. It seems they are tired of us
being upset because of the stealing of our boundaries, which were set by the
1851 and 1868 treaties. The White Man
never wanted to keep his promises; his leaders want to wipe out the Indians so
they could take the land. Land, Land,
and all the land is the desire that came from Manifest Destiny. The ideology of Manifest Destiny came to the
fullest when the 7th Cavalry came to Kill Indians.
Wounded Knee was home to the Oglala and a winter camp to the
Lakota for years. Big Foot was bringing
his people to Red Cloud Agency which is Pine Ridge. Big Foot was Miniconjou and they were stopped
to the Northeast of Wounded Knee and were disarmed and were under a White Flag
of Surrender but even that did not matter.
Tensions were high and Big Foot’s people were slaughtered and it makes
me upset. People like to say we should
get over this event and move on but the facts are clear, the United States of
America owes the Lakota people a life.
They need to keep their treaties and their word. Our people are not welfare Indians, we are
treaty people who are owed a life as long as the grass grows and the rivers
flow.
So If you are reading this and came to it by
chance or you follow Rez Ramblings, I am happy you can understand the damage
that was done by the United States and the Churches they sent to destroy a
people.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Crazy Horse Today
I have wondered for sometime what would Crazy Horse do today about things such as Wounded Knee and White Clay? I suspect it would be a standoff and people would go to jail. I visited the Crazy Horse Monument Mountain a few days ago and I like the idea I get in free but I have some issues with the work being done in an image of a man who chose to live selfless. I have used the life of Crazy Horse to share with groups of people and I believe he has some life lessons for all of us. He was born near the Rapid Creek around modern day Rapid City and I laugh when other tribal people try to claim him. He was an Oglala and a great leader, yes he was Oglala because his people were Oglala and he is buried somewhere on the Pine Ridge, home of the Oglala. Just a couple weeks ago I got upset because a friend was trying to claim Tasunka Witco for his tribe.
So what would Crazy Horse do? I believe he would stand up and let people know we are going to fight for our way of life. It is ridiculous that a non-Oglala person came in and bought a historical piece of land for peanuts and now wants to become a Millionaire on the backs of such a ugly part of American History. I have a hard time with understanding how someone can be so greedy but we have seen this before. I understand if he the guy wanted fair market value but to put a price tag on the death of 300 plus people is wrong. I believe there is a reason the land has not been developed and it is because of innocent blood. And now the Greed European American wants to get more. I do not believe anything will ever go well until this is made right by the United States of America.
I hope to take some pictures and share a commentary soon because I believe we need to make our opinion heard. My opinion is the guy should have gave the land back to the Tribe as it was unfair to come to own land by a non-Indian person. The taking of land and resource needs to be stopped and I hope people will come to UNDERSTAND what is important and what needs to be done.
As to the White Clay issue I believe our great leader Crazy Horse would have helped the people up and not kept looking away. I believe we need to bring our people home and get them out of White Clay and I suppose you will see more people up there as the days become warmer. Let's see what happens and hope for the best.
www.rezramblings.com
So what would Crazy Horse do? I believe he would stand up and let people know we are going to fight for our way of life. It is ridiculous that a non-Oglala person came in and bought a historical piece of land for peanuts and now wants to become a Millionaire on the backs of such a ugly part of American History. I have a hard time with understanding how someone can be so greedy but we have seen this before. I understand if he the guy wanted fair market value but to put a price tag on the death of 300 plus people is wrong. I believe there is a reason the land has not been developed and it is because of innocent blood. And now the Greed European American wants to get more. I do not believe anything will ever go well until this is made right by the United States of America.
I hope to take some pictures and share a commentary soon because I believe we need to make our opinion heard. My opinion is the guy should have gave the land back to the Tribe as it was unfair to come to own land by a non-Indian person. The taking of land and resource needs to be stopped and I hope people will come to UNDERSTAND what is important and what needs to be done.
As to the White Clay issue I believe our great leader Crazy Horse would have helped the people up and not kept looking away. I believe we need to bring our people home and get them out of White Clay and I suppose you will see more people up there as the days become warmer. Let's see what happens and hope for the best.
www.rezramblings.com
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Dennis Banks Honors Russell Means
Apparently the Red Cloud High School and the Oglala High School or Pine Ridge High School has changed since I went to school. Ok, Harvey Nelson most likely the greatest teacher at Pine Ridge and or Oglala Community High School. He was a United States History Teacher and was in my own words magnificent. I enjoyed his class and wanted to get through my high school years so I did not mess around. Of course I remember other teachers but Harvey was pretty cool and on a scale of 1-10 he was a ten. So I was in my basketball career at Pine Ridge and I just started playing when I was in 9th grade. I suppose I did not ever get beat up so I have always had a chip on my shoulder. But I was sure of my skill and I had great confidence in my team. We were playing Holy Rosary or Red Cloud High School.
I chose this picture to place in my blog because these are the two greatest Indian in the 20th Century. Of course my friend Russell Means passed away last year and this is the second honoring and Dennis Banks is speaking. I thought it was pretty cool that I made a bet with my teachers and gave them eleven points against us. We were playing against Red Cloud school and way back then we had Chadron or Chadrad broadcasting out games. We were just under the point spread and I was able to get the ball and score to make sure I covered the points and I won a few dollars.
So Dennis Banks and Russell Means are amazing men. I wish I could be like them but it was a different era and these men were willing to put their lives on the line. I spent some time with Russ and he helped me to understand Freedom and he was a true friend. We spent time visiting and he gave me advice and some people would like to make something up but in the end, I can only think he was my friend. Oh and the area this picture was taken was the place I scored and bet the Crusaders!!!
I chose this picture to place in my blog because these are the two greatest Indian in the 20th Century. Of course my friend Russell Means passed away last year and this is the second honoring and Dennis Banks is speaking. I thought it was pretty cool that I made a bet with my teachers and gave them eleven points against us. We were playing against Red Cloud school and way back then we had Chadron or Chadrad broadcasting out games. We were just under the point spread and I was able to get the ball and score to make sure I covered the points and I won a few dollars.
So Dennis Banks and Russell Means are amazing men. I wish I could be like them but it was a different era and these men were willing to put their lives on the line. I spent some time with Russ and he helped me to understand Freedom and he was a true friend. We spent time visiting and he gave me advice and some people would like to make something up but in the end, I can only think he was my friend. Oh and the area this picture was taken was the place I scored and bet the Crusaders!!!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Rez Ramblings/Blunt Horn Productions
Now how does this relate to my company Blunt Horn Productions LLC, well it is simple use the model our ancestors have sought for centuries. Take a spark and watch it grow, you see many people want to define what it means to be Lakota but the Lakota is already there we need to embrace the Mover in our lives.
I am utilizing the Lakota Philisophy of the Sacred Mover because I believe I need to be fully Lakota and as a Follower of Jesus I hope to become a complete human being.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Red Skins or First Nations
My good friend Chris lives in Maryland and their state hosts the Washington Redskins a NFL team that has many people around the country who love them. Personally I am a Denver Bronco fan and usually end the football season when they lose. That being said I have an opinion about using American Indians for mascots and it is thought out for sure. Years ago I went on the radio as a caller with Native American Calling a radio show that is heard throughout the world. Now I have been a guest sharing about my expertise which is Native American Christianity but this day I called in to the show and they were talking about using American Indians as mascots. Vern Bellecourt was the key guest and I was wrestling with the idea of people using pop causes to further themselves rather than serving the cause. Now I truly understand the idea of using caricature of American Indians as wrong because they depict us with big noses. Of course Clinger from MASH the series had a huge nose but not all Americans Indians have big noses and sound like John Wayne Indians.
Back to the Native American Calling show, I called in and wanted to weigh in on the conversation and this is my opinion and continues to guide me. I was put through to the radio host and Vernon Bellecourt who was an activist for American Indians during the Civil Rights Movement. Vernon was speaking about the use of American Indian Mascots and the detriment they were to our American Indian Life. Within that year I had the oppurtunity to hear Vernon Speak about a Rapper, actually he we American Indian Rapper, he was full of White hate speach in his lyrics. I was disturbed when I heard the rapper and now I had the oppurtunity to speak at Vernon. I am Lakota and was ready to deal with the Ojibwe Bellecourts. White Hate and now Vernon was battling against the use of Red Skins, Indians, Chiefs and so on. I actually love the the idea of the Fighting Sioux because that is what Lakota do and they did it very well. They destroyed the United States of America here in North America and that is why they are upset and will not return the Medal of Honors Medals.
I told Vernon Bellecourt he needed to clean up his own back yard and I have fought for 17 and half years to do just that, make Lakota better. I like the Red Skins because they believe they are powerful, and the Chiefs because they hope to win. Oh and the Indians because they are beautiful and magnificent and it is an honor to be a Cleveland Indian. We are a great and powerful people and some muiltibillion dollar sports teams want to say they believe we are the best in the world.
My opinion is we are a great people and I like the Fighting Sioux and the Indian and The RED SKINS as well as the Chiefs but they will continue to lose because the Broncos are going to win it all next year.
Back to the Native American Calling show, I called in and wanted to weigh in on the conversation and this is my opinion and continues to guide me. I was put through to the radio host and Vernon Bellecourt who was an activist for American Indians during the Civil Rights Movement. Vernon was speaking about the use of American Indian Mascots and the detriment they were to our American Indian Life. Within that year I had the oppurtunity to hear Vernon Speak about a Rapper, actually he we American Indian Rapper, he was full of White hate speach in his lyrics. I was disturbed when I heard the rapper and now I had the oppurtunity to speak at Vernon. I am Lakota and was ready to deal with the Ojibwe Bellecourts. White Hate and now Vernon was battling against the use of Red Skins, Indians, Chiefs and so on. I actually love the the idea of the Fighting Sioux because that is what Lakota do and they did it very well. They destroyed the United States of America here in North America and that is why they are upset and will not return the Medal of Honors Medals.
I told Vernon Bellecourt he needed to clean up his own back yard and I have fought for 17 and half years to do just that, make Lakota better. I like the Red Skins because they believe they are powerful, and the Chiefs because they hope to win. Oh and the Indians because they are beautiful and magnificent and it is an honor to be a Cleveland Indian. We are a great and powerful people and some muiltibillion dollar sports teams want to say they believe we are the best in the world.
My opinion is we are a great people and I like the Fighting Sioux and the Indian and The RED SKINS as well as the Chiefs but they will continue to lose because the Broncos are going to win it all next year.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Rez Life=Culture of Death
The year 2013 will mark the 34th year I have lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation, I will turn 48 this year. You can do the math, and I will continue with my position paper that I thought should be shared. I have been living on the Rez since 1979 and it was a very dark place, full of death and despair. The Civil Rights Movements were coming to an end with the African Americans, Mexicans Americans, and the American Indians all fighting to for the same liberties of White Americans.
As I share my book, (Rez Ramblings) with others I find myself coming to a point and sharing, This country I have come to love is not the country I was born into... First of all the country was segregated and in the south you could not drink from the same fountain or even marry outside of your race in some states. 1968 the Supreme Court ruled you could marry outside of your race, after all are we not the human race of different hues.
Pine Ridge was started in 1889 and was a concentration camp so they could systematically destroy our people. America set out with the idea they would full conquer all of the lands. Poor health care, education, economic structures have been the plan of the United States of America. They killed many families and the people of this country have their heads in the sands. It really is sad because I share the message to the people who will listen, they cannot believe what took place. America has been involved in Human Rights Issues for Centuries as well as fight American Indians. My reason for writing this blog today is to right the wrong. I want people to understand what is taking place in 2013 and we are battling the conditions of a system that started out with the idea to kill Indians.
The Rez Life is a Culture of Death that was dreamed up by men who had very little compassion and understanding the Indigenous people of this land are a great people and were environment friendly and could teach the world a few things about extended family. Today we have in our midst a dependency that creates hopelessness. People want things for free and are not walking in balance. Our youth are giving up hope because they no longer dream dreams and seek visions for their lives. People seem to be waiting for others to do something for them because that is what is expected from a people who were not allowed to live free. The government set out to destroy the food source of the Great Plains and succeeded as they brought the American Bison to point of extinction.
Our young people are fighting for their lives living in a place of hopelessness and when someone seeks to help them, they are criticized or ridiculed for their wanting to empower the youth. I say support all that are seeking to bring hope across the Reservation. We are a great people on the Pine Ridge, and we are the people of Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, and Black Elk who once led their people are were successful. We need to understand the spiritual darkness of hopelessness and deal with these issues from a balanced viewpoint. We are a people of great fortitude and strength.
I have completed a book about the Pine Ridge Reservation and it is a great introduction to our people and how we live our lives. Jackie Siers Rowland a council woman on the Oglala Sioux Tribe just purchased a book and I hope you will also help me live my dream of developing my books and dreams. https://www.createspace.com/3941671
As I share my book, (Rez Ramblings) with others I find myself coming to a point and sharing, This country I have come to love is not the country I was born into... First of all the country was segregated and in the south you could not drink from the same fountain or even marry outside of your race in some states. 1968 the Supreme Court ruled you could marry outside of your race, after all are we not the human race of different hues.
Pine Ridge was started in 1889 and was a concentration camp so they could systematically destroy our people. America set out with the idea they would full conquer all of the lands. Poor health care, education, economic structures have been the plan of the United States of America. They killed many families and the people of this country have their heads in the sands. It really is sad because I share the message to the people who will listen, they cannot believe what took place. America has been involved in Human Rights Issues for Centuries as well as fight American Indians. My reason for writing this blog today is to right the wrong. I want people to understand what is taking place in 2013 and we are battling the conditions of a system that started out with the idea to kill Indians.
The Rez Life is a Culture of Death that was dreamed up by men who had very little compassion and understanding the Indigenous people of this land are a great people and were environment friendly and could teach the world a few things about extended family. Today we have in our midst a dependency that creates hopelessness. People want things for free and are not walking in balance. Our youth are giving up hope because they no longer dream dreams and seek visions for their lives. People seem to be waiting for others to do something for them because that is what is expected from a people who were not allowed to live free. The government set out to destroy the food source of the Great Plains and succeeded as they brought the American Bison to point of extinction.
Our young people are fighting for their lives living in a place of hopelessness and when someone seeks to help them, they are criticized or ridiculed for their wanting to empower the youth. I say support all that are seeking to bring hope across the Reservation. We are a great people on the Pine Ridge, and we are the people of Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, and Black Elk who once led their people are were successful. We need to understand the spiritual darkness of hopelessness and deal with these issues from a balanced viewpoint. We are a people of great fortitude and strength.
I have completed a book about the Pine Ridge Reservation and it is a great introduction to our people and how we live our lives. Jackie Siers Rowland a council woman on the Oglala Sioux Tribe just purchased a book and I hope you will also help me live my dream of developing my books and dreams. https://www.createspace.com/3941671
Friday, January 4, 2013
New Year The Quest for Truth
Some believe I am following the Evil One, some believe I am out of my mind, but I realize I need to find myself. Star Date 2013 is my year to find meaning and understanding. I spent the last 17 years trying to explain to the Oglala Lakota People who God is and why it is a great place to be, in His hands. You see, I have seen the pain of the Oglala and other American Indians. I was told to finish my book, "Rez Ramblings: Living on the Pine Ridge as a 21st Century Injun". My book is complete and published. Now I am on a quest to sell the book and find healing. I have lived on the Pine Ridge since 1979 and there were good times and bad times. I had the honor of seeing my beautiful daughters come into the world and then I had a privalage of being my son's father. We lost our eldest daughter and that tore my heart. That in addition to many other things brought me to a place of unhealth. My body took a pounding and then I started to drink wine. Not a good choice. Now, I am seeking to bring my health back under control. I have been to the depths of the emotional ocean and it was dark. I found myself going under.
I am seeking to follow God with my heart, soul, and mind. Seeking to follow his canku or road because mine was difficult. I am looking to become the man God intended; so this is the beginning of my healing blogging. If you have read this far, I hope you will also read my book. I have taken the steps to begin my healing, and I hope to help others find their way.
Rez Ramblings Book https://www.createspace.com/3941671
I am seeking to follow God with my heart, soul, and mind. Seeking to follow his canku or road because mine was difficult. I am looking to become the man God intended; so this is the beginning of my healing blogging. If you have read this far, I hope you will also read my book. I have taken the steps to begin my healing, and I hope to help others find their way.
Rez Ramblings Book https://www.createspace.com/3941671
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