The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have asked Idaho State University to forbid non-tribal members from performing Native American sunrise ceremonies on campus, according to an Associated Press piece published by Idaho Statesman.com on May 23.
A sunrise ceremony, organized by students, was held there on Earth Day (April 22), and objects considered sacred by the tribes were used.
University officials told the AP that the students who organized the ceremony had trouble finding tribal members to perform it.
Whether students could or could not find tribal members to perform it doesn't matter. They don't have the right to perform such a sacred ceremony on top of that use sacred items. Sounds like the same issue with non-natives performing sweat lodge ceremonies as well. These ceremonies don't belong to them and they definitely have no right using them in the manner that they are!
ReplyDeleteOne has to wonder if the students stop to think that maybe there are reasons why they couldn't find anyone to help them and that maybe they had no business trying to preform a ceremony that is not part of their culture. It's amazing that in 2011 that people still think that they can just take what ever they want from the Native American people with little or not regard to them.
ReplyDeleteSo stop "sharing with those who say they just want to know" keep prayers and ceremonies to tribal people as was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteSo what is non-native can be used by natives, but when others who recognize the value and try to become knowledgeable about the culture then all the sudden they are trying to steal More from the natives. I pray that one day this world will come to recognize all people as brothers and sisters and stop dividing.
ReplyDeleteThe use without permission is just wrong. Even if you found students is wouldnt be right because only a medicine man can perform it right. It like anyone trying to perform a catholic ceremony of drinking wine and crunching on those waffers without any words! Maybe they could do that for sunrise ceremony.
ReplyDeleteThere must be ways to celebrate Earth Day that con incorporate Native American respect for the Earth without making a mockery of Native ceremonies. Perhaps, though, instead of prohibition, the University and the Shoshone-Bannock leaders could work together to plan future events. Why not cooperate to achieve good ends?
ReplyDelete