There is so much happening…
The Standing Rock Sioux have taken back ceded land that is theirs under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, which was signed by eight tribes and the U.S. government.
Ceded land is land that was given over as apart of an agreement. The eight tribes, Cheyenne, Sioux, Arapaho, Crow, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations, agreed in 1851 to live in peace on the land which was known as Native territory.
Since then peace has come and gone, and today water protectors are standing once again in peace for our earth.
After researching this more…I found a few interesting pieces of history. There were at least 2 treaties in Fort Laramie.
The second was in 1868, The Treaty of Fort Laramie (also called the Sioux Treaty of 1868). This was an agreement between the United States and the Oglala, Miniconjou, and Brulé bands of Lakota people, Yanktonai Dakota, and Arapaho Nation signed on April 29, 1868 at Fort Laramie in the Wyoming Territory, guaranteeing the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills, and further land and hunting rights in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. The Powder River Country was to be henceforth closed to all whites. The treaty ended Red Cloud’s War.
The treaty of 1868 was written because of the many europeans who were traveling through Sioux land, utilizing the native’s resources without compensation.
Such a parallel with what is happening there now. The oil companies coming through to utilize resources… however the Sioux no longer want compensation… they just want what is rightfully their domain.
This treaty includes an article intended to “ensure the civilization” of the Lakota, financial incentives for them to farm land and become competitive, and stipulations that minors should be provided with an “English education” at a “mission building.” To this end the U.S. government included in the treaty that white teachers, blacksmiths, a farmer, a miller, a carpenter, an engineer and a government agent should take up residence within the reservation.
ARTICLE VII.
In order to insure the civilization of the Indians entering into this treaty, the necessity of education is admitted, especially of such of them as are or may be settled on said agricultural reservations, and they, therefore, pledge themselves to compel their children, male and female, between the ages of six and sixteen years, to attend school, and it is hereby made the duty of the agent for said Indians to see that this stipulation is strictly complied with; and the United States agrees that for every thirty children between said ages, who can be induced or compelled to attend school, a house shall be provided, and a teacher competent to teach the elementary branches of an English education shall be furnished, who will reside among said Indians and faithfully discharge his or her duties as a teacher. The provisions of this article to continue for not less than twenty years.
In the late 19th century, the federal government shifted from mission schools on reservations to establishing Indian boarding schools; the first was the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. The website for the US Army War College says that students were recruited directly from the western reservations of the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche, Kiowa, and Arapaho.
I had no idea there was an Indian boarding school here. I live very close to Carlisle, and the Appalachian trail runs right past the boarding school. Except it is not a boarding school any longer… it is the Army War College. Carlisle Barracks were used for training since the late 1700’s. I think this would make a fantastic day trip.
Its fascinating to me that I am so close to this place and have never been, and not only ties directly back to what’s happening at Standing Rock but it is also directly connected to the childhood my mother had. She was sent to attend St. Joseph’s Boarding School at the age of 6. So much of this is hitting home.
And I set off to write this blog about the buffalo medicine! I shared all of this history in connection with the present day. On October 27th, 2016 police and military stood face to face with peaceful prayer warriors who are protecting not only theirs, but each of our domains. Resources are in jeopardy, it is time to come back to center and find a way that is in harmony with the earth.
During this standoff, water protectors were hurt and some even jailed, thrown in kennels and given numbers. Horses were laid to rest, and sacred land was desecrated. Water protectors from all over witnessed the arrival of the buffalo, as they ran up over the hills where the pipeline is being built.
The Buffalo/Bison’s medicine includes manifestation, protection, earth, creativity, abundance, knowledge, generosity, hospitality, sharing work, courage, strength, challenge, survival, giving for the greater good, formulating beneficial plans.
They show us how to walk a sacred path, honouring every walk of life. Buffalo will assist you in establishing a deep connection with Mother Earth and Father Sky and will ask that you pray/meditate/focus on harmony and peace amongst all beings. Buffalo will bestow you with strength of character.
Buffalo teaches us that true prosperity comes when we are grateful for what we have and when we live in harmony and love with every body and being contained within the universe. You will live like buffalo when you know that abundance is present and when ALL relations are honoured and known as sacred, when you express gratitude for all parts, all aspects of creation. This is also the Ojibwe way, each road shines light on the others.
The story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman originates from the Lakota people, she taught them that all things are interconnected and that it is not necessary to struggle to have abundance. The one thing that is necessary, however, is to be connected with Spirit…
And this is where I am now… Spirit.
A friend of mine shared with me the prophecy of Black Elk…(after I painted this picture of a black elk).
Black Elk saw the earth becoming sick. The animals, the winged ones, and the four-legged ones grew frightened. All living things became gaunt and poor. The air and the waters dirtied and smelled foul. Below, Black Elk saw a blue man living in and empowering the sickness. The powers of the four directions, represented by four horses, charged the blue man, but were beaten back. The Grandfathers called upon Black Elk. His bow changed into a spear, and he swooped down on the blue man, destroying him. When the blue man fell, all life came back upon the earth; all things became fresh and healthy again.
So the buffalo came over the hills, sharing their message, two days ago I received a sacred buffalo medicine pouch, and yesterday I was told to paint a buffalo.
The medicine is in knowing that we are all connected… the answer is in harmony… the middle way.
<3 Gizaagin