The indignity of being Old.

SPRUCE WOODS SUNDANCE "Fighting the Suicide Spirit" JUNE 12-15, 2014

 Sharing about the Sundance that is coming up in the next little while. Sundance is considered the Ceremony of all Ceremonies.  You sacrifice for all others in this Ceremony.

These posting are from Facebook: 

"This group is dedicated to the many different members, friends and supporters of the Spruce Woods Sundance Family (hosted by David and Sherryl Blacksmith and passed to us by Grandpa Joe Esquash).
Our Sundance always occurs within the second weekend of June.
This is to keep members aprised of Sundance meetings, other ceremonies and maybe answer some questions for new dancers and the curious."https://www.facebook.com/events/557262077727417/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

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Buffalo Dancer that is at the Sundance. Comes in and takes on the Suicide Spirit.

Raymond Spencer

"June 2 near Fort-George

The Sundance in Spruce Woods Manitoba on June 12 2014 , Our Ancestors that was once was almost lost in this man David Blacksmith brought it back to Eeyouch all across the land called Canada , people all across are going to gather in this Sundance to help all the people who took their lives because all the different reason they faced , there's all kinda of spirits on this Earth , and on this Sundance we will do some damage on the suicide spirit , this was years in the making , people from around here are going to attend and show David our gratitude for what he did to the people who walk on The Red Path, me personally I told myself I was going when I first heard David talk about it last year but the past and half it was tough financially and the bus looks like it won't work out.but I think I'll still fast that weekend and pray for all the lost souls who took their lives , before I walked on this path , I felt I had a strong stance on being clean and making my life with no blaming or hating anybody , but this path gave me more strength and understanding of life and why I acted they way I acted.in closing I thank David and his whole family and of course my father Ernie Herodier and the others who has helped me on this path, especially Bobby Neacappo."

David Blacksmith

June 2

I have been getting massages from Indian ppl from all ever ,parents,teachers ,workers ,and it's bout suicide are young ppl ,lots n lots of suicides mostly in northern communities ,this is so sad n it makes me angry to hear all the stories that young ppl r doing this,I know why this is happening ,I know whats needs to be done .families ripped apart in dealing with suicide coss there is so much pain that comes with it ,i see so much of it n hear so much of it in the last 8 years or so that it fallowed me into my dreams ,ppl do care ,ppl work hard ,ppl pray to fight it and it won't go away . It needs to come out in the open ,talked bout by Indian ppl themselves coss no one is coming to help us .i had ppl tell me not to bring it out in the open becos it has lots n lots of shame ,the incest ,the abuse in every level ,name calling ,lateral valiance ,neglect,all of these things affect a child growing up ,a child needs love ,to hear good things everyday n to see good things ,a child needs touch ,a child needs parents that will raise it ,I'm working to help fix this n help in anyway I can ,thank you so much .ekosi"

David Blacksmith

May 28

Spruce woods this year ,to free n fight the suicide spirit of r ppl ,the Crees the Ojibway's ,the Dakotas and many other nations from all over ,we stand together ,we dance together ,we pray together ,we cry to God together ,we will respect each other ,we do this to show God that we love life n that we r willing to work together ,so brothers and sisters stand with us . Aho midakoyasay

David Blacksmith

May 16

Only 28 days before Sundance at spruce woods ,to fight the suicide spirit is something that's on my mind n soul daily , I dream of this evil spirit n tells me that he will never die or quit n that I'm wasting time ,lol heck with him or it I'm fighting ,I will do everything in my power to do this ,I'm almost ready ,I educated myself on suicide in last 17 years or so ,it has always bothered me n broke my heart ,7 year old boy asked me to help him from this place ,him n others r holding on to each other until we can go get them out ,so please help me to do this task that I was given ,lots of young ppl r ready n traditional,both men n women that have lost loved one through suicide ,as a spiritual man this is what I'm told to help them ,I wish I can tell you more bout it but only in person .love ,prayer ,family ,tears ,buffalo ,horse ,pipe ,smudge ,Sundance tree ,cloth ,etc r my weapons ho ya and you .

David Blacksmith

May 6

To deal with suicide on a day to day basis ,80% is sexual abuse n incest ,can't live with the shame n the hurt . Stay strong ,pray ,talk to some one ,seek help ,don't turn to drugs n booze it will get worse ,ceremonies ,sweats ,Sundance etc r one way of healing ur self ,I understand you ,some loves you . Ekosani

David Blacksmith

March 20

Sun dance family just to let you know , we have so many young ppl dancing this year at spruce woods , to fight the suicide spirit n to free the trapped souls in the darkness of wrong death , through love , prayer , tears , pierce , drag , sing n dance like r ancestress before us , I'm not sure the exact number of dancers now but we r the best of within us , only you can do this , I need you , I'm not afraid , I'm ready , let's do this

David Blacksmith

March 11

Been thinking of the 2014 sundance in fighting the suicide spirit , youth is what we need , the north is what I need , strong youth leaders is wat we need , these r some of the strong youth , if u know of any strong leaders that r youth please share . Isca, Kevin , Chabeeb , ivona, Tyra n many more , we need to meet soon

David Blacksmith

February 16

It was an awesome weekend at the farm with the ceremony and Sundance meeting ,would like to thank the workers and the participation ,Joe Joe Morales,Secoya,Steven Moon,Sylvia McAdam ,Gordie,Madelyn ,Art n his family ,Leslie Spillett n the girls ,the singers ,I'm so thankful for all the help of all helpers ,spruce woods Sundance family your r the best ,my son never stops working ,my girls r awesome daddy's girls ,I'm very happy at the commitment from every one ,we can do this and we can work together . I love you all....Ekosani

Pipestone Sundance Chief, & SpruceWoods Sundance Chief

David Blacksmith‎Spruce Woods Sundance Family

8 hrs ·

Tansi ;to all dancers and members of spruce woods Sundance family ,what beautiful morning to tell you all my plans for the future .first thank you for all the hard work that you do ,my bros n sisters and of corse my family ,this was by far the best yet n the most difficult to do ,I did my best to do the dream I was given by kisaymunto ,if we didn't kill the suicide spirit we sure gave him a nose bleed ,the team of women that fund raised you make things better n easier to do this ,thank you.the builders of the lodge particularly George Muswaggon u the best ,I really don't know how to thank you for what u do for us and of corse ur team ,the singers Roger ,Ernie ,Tim ,jon and the Dakota boys ,fire keepers awesome,the boss cut man Cecil u the man ,the boys that helped me before the dance n after I thank you,I feel good for what we've done n very proud .so the fund raisers will continue to get ready for next year ,we will Sundance meeting in January .lots of dancers missed n a lot more that promised to come did not come I don't take this lightly coss ur not lie ing to me but God I need to talk with you before Sundance season is over ,you still have a chance to fulfil ur commitment .every thing n every one that had a problem with things n other ppl comes to me ,issues with each other n bad thoughts etc ,how can you think n feel these in the house of God ,you should not be mad or get back at someone at the site or front of something so beautiful ,last night I had a dream bout the spirit world welcoming 538 souls of the suicides ,they were very happy n will help from the other side ,they ask me to stand in front of cloth n other stuff n they gave me things lol lots of things ,they were very very happy ,I send love to all 129 dancers that started n 109 finished u be awesome ,it's written in the stars n on stone .thank you healers Curtis Mckay n others for your help ,you saved me so much work I say aho to you all.to my wife the strongest woman I ever known n the most loving n sexy lol ,she my rock in all this .my children r the most understanding to my dreams n support ,my son in law Wyatt is the best yet ,I just don't like when he calls me old man lol ,I'm so happy that nothing n no one can take this away from me ,I do my very best to give every one time n attention n to make every one feel welcome ,but you get that many Indians in one place some one or something will go rong ,I'm sorry for that I respect all of yous ,ppl need to more love n respect for each other . I will be Sundance chief forever n once I'm gone my son n grandsons will take over ,I love you all very so much ,I can't help but to cry while I'm writing this post ,Ekosani

"Don't be Phoney. People don't like that kind a shit"

My deceased cousin Ernest was a good man. He was funny without trying to be. We were at this Gathering and Ernest got up to speak to the people. Lot of Traditional Native people were in the audience. He spoke of Teachings, but started off with "Don't be Phoney, People don't like that kind a shit". He was like that, not politically correct or muted.  He made a good point though. We need to be a little more real in our lives. Many people say they live by the Seven Teachings (love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, truth, wisdom). That is a good thing. It is a great thing if that is practiced in their everyday behaviour.  In some circles that is not always the case. We see some hard people that dress themselves up in Spiritual rhetoric but fall short when it comes to actions with other folk. I guess Ernest didn't really like those kind of characters. I bet some people are coming to your mind, eh? 

It's a bit hard not to feel like a phoney sometimes. I mean, we are fragile creatures, prone to make mistakes. We are emotional and act out in ways that don't make sense or are not right or not good. Sometimes we do things and say things that are just plain wrong. Man, I have made so many mistakes in my life. Been afraid so many times. Been really angry so many times. And have acted in ugly ways so many times. So now, today, how can I act like a good person? How can I make statements about practicing kindness when some of my own actions were horrible?  Isn't that the act of a phoney?

I think there is some redemption in most of us. I guess some things you just can be redeemed from. If you are trying in earnest to make right the wrongs, perhaps you can speak without being phoney?  I don't know me.

Growing up I seen lot of violence, seen alcohol abuse, been part of abuse, violence, criminal activity, have been dishonest. Have my actions of late erased my wrong doings?  Am I redeemed?  Of course not. I wiill never be free of guilt, regret and remorse. All I can do is try to make a real attempt at being a better person. I will never get to be a good person, but hopefully become a reasonable facsimile of a good person.

I think that is what my Cousin Ernest was saying, when he said, "don't be phoney balloney".  Try to be true to what you are saying and doing. That is what I believe he was saying. 

Native Beadwork: Artistic Creativity, Beauty and Tradition. A piece of Tradition worth seeking.

When I was a teenager we used to go to some Native events in other Reserves. It was fun.  There would be dancing, live music, Jigging, Pow-wow, baseball games and food. I have fond memories of those times. The constant that I remember at these
events were the craft tables. People would have their wares for sale. Most of it was bead work. Necklaces, and all sorts of beading adornments. Lot of different styles and they were stunning.

Spectacular

The time it takes and the work that goes into the making of the Beaded necklace is evident in the work. 

Great Design. 

 As kids we never tired of seeing such beautiful designs and necklaces.  The other popular beaded item was the belt,  the watch band and of course the head band. It think the Hippies made them popular in the 60's and 70's.  I don't believe there are worn much these days. All though they sure look good on the hat bands and beaded brims of hats.

The style and type of beadwork being done varies throughout North America. There are the geometric styles of the southern peoples, the floral designs of the woodlands and northern peoples. The different and various ways that beading is being used; form the necklace to the track shoe.  All creative and beautiful.
If you want to see masterful beadwork just go to a Pow-wow. Unreal the skill that is displayed at those events.

Ironic 

Some of the type of beadwork is quite sophisticated and intricate. While others are very stylized or simple. In any case the work that goes into the beadwork is skillful.

When the rise of Native political groups in Canada started to become more active, the Leaders of the day, tended to wear beadwork (and of course Turquoise). The most common things were the medallion necklace, the bolo necktie, the watchband or wrist bands and sometimes the belt. That style sort of disappeared in the 1980's. But you now see it making a comeback. I think it started with the youth. Lot of youth started sporting the beaded medallion.  Of course the style of medallion wasn't your typical 1970's Thunderbird, it was different. You see some youth wearing logos of designer apparel, like the Nike Logo or Channel and Dolce Gabbana.  Many people are beading up a storm of professional sports teams.


One of the things that is starting to develop is the introduction of "not authentic" beadwork.  Your key chains, ear rings, and lanyards have started to become a mainstay in some of the Native crafts and art stores. This is of course reflected in the price. Many Native items have been appropriated over the years; moccasins and mukluks being the best known items.  You can get moccasins made by anyone or of any kind of design. ("Note: Non-Native American Made But Hand Made" is a note on some ads) In the United States there is a law or custom to label items as Native made, if it is in fact Native made.  I don't believe that is the case in Canada. However, what bothers me (and I imagine the artisans) is the effect of cheap replicas coming into what is already a "niche" market.  I mean there are no "hippies" around to wear these beaded necklace?  The only people I see wearing this works of art are Native people. The market is small.  The work is hard and is done by a group of dedicated people. So the time and effort put into these beauties must be reflected in the cost. You would think?  But as my cousin says, "people are cheap".

What you would rather wear?  Something that is not authentic; or something rich in Tradition?  Or something that is produced in some place that has no connection to the history of the symbols or the meanings behind the work?  Would you be willing to purchase the authentic because it is worth it or would you rather purchase a pretence of the art?  I guess the old adage  is true, "you get what you pay for". I am very glad that there are still many artists and families out there that are keeping up with Native art and craft (for me its all art). It is too bad that some folk don't see or recognize the value in the authentic work. They would rather buy something that is a "reasonable facsimile" of the real deal.  Me, I like the history and Tradition tied to the item.

I think the Powwow people are keeping the Tradition strong.  It will be a shame when their regalia is imitated in wage poor countries. I was over visiting my cousin today and they were showing me the new beadwork that their son has for his Dance outfit. Just stunning.  He is hoping to wear his new Beadwork at the Painted Hand Powwow.  So to all of you that are interested in the real deal, head out to a powwow or ask one of your Indian friends, they will steer you to a Native seller of "authentic" Indian made items.nAnd remember don't be cheap. The art is worth it.

If you want mass produced, go to Walmart, Target lot of adornments with no Tradition or connection.

Woman's Crown, You won't find that at Walmart. 

We are lucky here in Winnipeg because there are a few shops that carry authentic hand made Native made items.  My cousin has Red Cedar Gifts; hand made star quilts and other items. Creeations is a Native owned shop on Main street. It is not difficult to find the real artists and crafts. Remember these are works of art.

We are Givers or Takers

I went to the washroom the other night. I was surprised. I came out and said to my wife, "I don't remember eating corn?".  She said "That was me," really meaning me not her.  "Oh, okay" I said.  She looked at me and started laughing.  I am very dumb.  What does this have to do with Givers and Takers?  Absolutely nothing. (If I have to explain the little story, you are in my group)

I was at a Feast the other day. A good feed for us that went. It was a Feast to honour those who completed a Treatment program for drug alcohol abuse. After the Feast I sat around and visited. People started to clean up. They started to re-arrange the chairs and started to take down the tables. I got up and started to help a little bit. We finished putting the tables away and putting chairs back to where they were supposed to be for workshops.  The ladies who were doing most of the work laughed together and were talking. They said "where did all the men go?"  "They ate and left".  They were speaking about some of the male staff and male members of the program. All of them seemed to melt off with the crowd.

That is something isn't it?  The ladies laughed about it, but it did highlight the way things go sometimes. You have to be smart and take off before you are the only one left to do the work. 

Actually, it is about Givers and Takers. There are those of us that take things for granted. We go and accept all sorts of kindness, generosity, rewards, perks, food, Ceremony Blessings and don't think about reciprocity. In other words, Giving back.  We are glad to take what is out there. We go to the Sweat Lodge and we don't even bother to bring a small offering or Tobacco. We let the volunteers take our kids to hockey games, and look after them. We take it all it seems. 

Sometimes as Takers, we get upset with the Givers. We say things like "how come it's always them coaching the kids?"  Why don't they get some else to sit on the Board?  We resent those damn people who are always volunteering or are always willing to speak or give a hand.  That is the weird way we take things. 

I like Givers. They make a lot us have easier times. They are always willing to chop wood, go and pick Grandfathers for the Sweat Ceremony. Stay up at the Sacred Fires for Wake services.  They are the ones that will show up and bring food to your service or Gathering. They will come sing at your event, Wake or Ceremony. Man those Givers can't seem to stop giving.  They will stay and help clean up after an event. They will take their own trash of the tables and go put them in the garbage bins or cans. Us takers even leave our half full cups of cold coffee on the table for someone else to pick up. 

I was speaking with my brother the other day about Organizational Culture. He is trying to change the culture in his work place. He wants people to be conscientious about their place of work and what they are doing. We talked about "how when you work for people you are working for the Creator".  We talked about being a good citizen in the work place and what that entails. You know the type of person who will do what is not expected of him. Like the person who will pick up a dirty cup someone left in the board room. Or the person who will help another co-worker with out expectation of recognition. Those are the types of things that make a good work place, when people become more of a Giver than a Taker.  You know the type only there to exchange labour service for purely financial reward or recognition. The "it's not my job person" who can make it hard for everyone. 

I guess you know which category you may be on. But you know what?  Being a Giver can be in all of us. Not just Giving for those that are close to us and when we are being watched, but Giving even when no one will know we are Giving.  Isn't that cool? 

There are many Givers in our community. The many that take the time to come to the Wake services (no matter whose Wake) and sing for the families (Gospel and Traditional). There are the Fire Keepers like Radford Courchene who volunteers unselfishly to watch the Fire at your Service Wake. Radford was a regular at a Wake Service, he was there when people didn't have anyone to watch the Fire all night. Radford is no longer alive, but he is remembered for his generosity.  I really appreciate those people and I know our community (Sagkeeng) is a better place because of those Givers. 

My Dad: Henry: 1930 - 2013

Dad was 80 here in this video. He was forgetting by this time in his life.

I miss him.  We miss him.

Spirit Road Funeral:  Natasha.

Dad left and had a Traditional Burial.

Dad resting.  Nice Moccasins for his trip. Given to him by his son in law Smiley

Dad and his visit with Auntie Therience.

Admit it. You're a Racist.

So some billionaire was taped talking openly about his thoughts on Blacks and minorities.Another Billionaire is constantly promoting ridicule of Indians with his team logo. The thing is people are shocked. Not really about the Redskins team but with the NBA  LA Clippers owner, who doesn't want his young girl friend to bring Black people to his games. One thing for sure it has a lot of people talking.

The funny thing is, people are appalled at this guy's way of thinking. I am thinking, what?  Where the heck have these people been?  People are saying "that is no way to talk in this day and age". What? This day and age?  Heck, just look at what is happening in Canada and the U.S. for heck sakes. The Donald Trump is one of the most hateful bigots out there. Yet he is a mainstay on  television all the time. He attacks the President Obama on a constant basis. Donald wants to see his birth certificate? If Obama was not a Black man, would this be happening?  Of course not. It is because people are just out and out pure racist. Don't believe, take a look at Ted Nugent, Cliven Bundy, Hank Williams Jr., Mel Gibson, Paula Dean, Michael Richards (Kramer), Charlie Sheen, John Wayne (of course), John Mayer (with KKK dick), and what racist's list does not have that kkkookoo bird Ann Coulter. 

I think that these "big name" racist have one thing in common; they outed themselves. Just imagine how many of the racist are hiding?  I think the only thing that Donald Sterling did when he said he didn't want his girl friend to bring Magic Johnson to his games, was that he drove more racists underground. It is not that they are going to stop hating Blacks, Jews, Muslims, Indians, Asians (and everyone else that doesn't look like them) but they are going to try and hide it tighter within their circles. The circles will become tighter. More people will not be able to enter the circle. Funny how that circle is full with money?

Canada is kind of a different animal.  It's not like Canada is much less racist that our friends in the good old U. S. of A.  No, heck no.  Canada just uses it racism differently.  Much of Canada's racism is in the government sector.  The U.S. government is built on racism, everyone knows that, but Canada is slicker or more hypocritical when it comes to its racism. The business side in Canada is good at hiding its racist holdings (get it?).  While the U.S. business doesn't really care if its racist.

Ah, heck, it wasn't my intention to talk generally about racism in the U.S. and Canada's increasing big foot of racism (you know the increase of Right Wing ideals and policies in Canada under Stephen Harper),  I wanted to examine the every guy racist. The guy and gal who live in your neck of the woods. Go to your kids hockey games. The ones you see sitting at the rotten ronnies (McDonalds) or the one who sits and laughs at the funny looking and talking minority on TV sitcoms. You know, your friendly acquaintance, your boyfriend, your work buddy, your boss, and your wife. Those are the racists I was thinking about.

Do you think a racist is the sum of our experiences?  You know all those little things that happen to us our whole life?  Or are we just born that way?

Nah. I think it is a learned thing. A learned attitude, belief, and a lifestyle. Not like being born Gay or anything (not that there is anything wrong with that).  I think it's a built up thing of your own desires, wants, tastes, likes and dislikes. It is a negative view on the world.  And that view of the world must have come from somewhere.Not that it is an excuse. Many people have experiences that they don't LET define them.

Do you think that living beside a Reserve with a bunch of Indians that come into your town and have White girl friends make you racist. I mean if they "stole" your girls?  Or if you work in a Town Paper Mill and the only ones who get the promotions are the White guys, will that make you racist? Or if you are stopped by the White cops and they extort money from your poor Mom who works as a janitor and is not loaded with cash and is just trying to feed her nine kids?  Or is those "rich" White guys driving by you on the road throwing insults and hurling racist names?  Or is that store owner that watches you like a hawk when you go into the store to buy some penny gum?  Or is that wicked White Nun who whacks you with that big leather strap? Will that make you racist? Or is it when you go hanging out with your Native friends and other Natives come and bully you anyway? Or if you Mom was walking on the street in downtown Winnipeg and a drunken Indian guy walks up and cuffs her in the head? Would that make you racist to hate them after that? Or you work in Portage Place and all you see is the United Nations of Indians and minorities, where as a White you feel uncomfortable?

There is some truth that our experiences make us who we are. But there is still our free will. If we know something is not right or moral, then why do we still do it?

Or are you one of those people that does not see colour?  I think the people who don't see colour only exist for a short period of time; they are babies - Abinoojii(ag).  They, I think, are truly the ones who don't judge colour of your skin. All the others are full of moo (excrement).

We think of racism as a bad thing. When it is a judgement based on our experiences and of stereotypes.  It is a shortcut to all the information that we absorb and digest over time. It may be absolutely wrong but we do it anyway. Is it wrong? If you use judgement to punish, discriminate, isolate, neglect, ridicule and even kill, then of course its' wrong. But we all do it. Deny it, I dare you.  You are lying to yourself and the world. Of course we see colour. It is in the every day signals, messages that we receive. How do we not see colour? I don't have a clue. Everything is a category. Our experiences show us that. That is why it is hard not to be racist. We categorize everything and everybody.

Remember when Japanese cars came into the market? What was the thought; cheap cars, no good. Now it is the Chinese industry that we question and categorize. We see other things in a category as well; wild wilderness, backwoods southerners, communist Soviets, radical Arabs, militant Blacks, savage Indians, and so on. We can't escape it. Admit it. You are a racist. Even if you like Blacks and Indians. You still see them as what they are, not White. And that is okay. As long as you don't put yourself above or better than them.

Sure some naive person will say we are all human beings. Please!  That is so scraping the chalkboard with your finger nails; it makes us cringe. We are all different. So let's embrace those differences and see them, but DON'T use it as a weapon.  Use it as an opportunity to learn. To explore and expand our likes, our tastes, our experiences. So let's see colour and love it. Make racism about loving the great differences we have. 

 http://theracecardproject.com/i-dont-see-color-cringeworthy/