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September 2008 
Releasing the Spirits Ceremony Prayer Request
Posted on Apr 4th, 2008
by 
pRiMaLeVe
pRiMaLeVe
Releasing the Spirits Ceremony - Prayers needed for Buffalos Slaughtered in Yellowstone
Simultaneous prayer vigils are encouraged to pray for the 1,302+ Buffalo that have been carelesslly slaughtered this winter alone and the thousands more slaughtered in the past decade since the last Releasing the Spirits Ceremony was held in 1997!
From Chief Avrol Looking Horse
Mi-ta-ku-ye (my relatives)
I have been called upon to perform the Releasing the Spirits Ceremony for the thousands of buffalo that have lost their lives in the last decade, in the mountains of Yellowstone River Country.
Many, many generations ago, our relatives, the Pte O-ya-te (Buffalo People) came up from the Wind Cave in the Black Hills; the heart of Un-ci Ma-ka (Grandmother Earth) and prepared the way for our existence. From that time forward they gave of themselves for our survival, as long as we respected their gift. They taught us how to live in an honourable and respectful way by example and through the teachings of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. She brought the Sacred Canupa (Pipe) and also provided us with the knowledge of the sacred rites that are necessary to discipline ourselves.
From the Buffalo Nation, our ancestors learned to have an honourable relationship of being connected with Un-ci Ma-ka; this "way of life" that identifies us of who we are as an O-ya-te (a People), with all its sacred teachings. They understood the gifts from Un-ci and carefully lived in harmony with her well being. For that reason, we hold them to be sacred. We co-existed in a good way until we were nearly destroyed. Ob un-ka-so-ta-pi tka. The sacred buffalo population in these mountains are the survivors of that natural way of life. We are culturally and spiritually indebted to them and we still need their guidance, to remind us how to be at peace and harmony with Un-ci Ma-ka.
Let it be know that Yellowstone territory; the habitat of the last wild Buffalo Nation - is sacred ground, it has been a SACRED SITE for the First Nation's people, and for all humanity who hold deep respect for all Creation. The Buffalo Nation has confirmed this fact; by where they have ended up, continuing to survive in their natural migration, struggling to live in a peaceful manner. Our ancestors also gave us this message by fasting long ago, as they recognized this place of sacredness. This understanding is how we maintain the balance on Un-Ci Ma-Ka, to protect these places, especially for future generations to come.
These Buffalo that lost their lives in Yellowstone did not die by Natural Law, nor were their spirits honored with ceremony. This is why we must go their to perform a ceremony to honor for those who lost their lives by human mis-understanding and pray to Wakan Tankan (Great Spirit) for pity of how gifts were unappreciated. We must pray with all those who grieve and be grateful for them. Many of the people who are deeply concerned of what has happened, in the manner in which their lives were taken; we see this as an unnecessary massacre. We have known that this particular herd is the last original Buffalo Nation that still follows their migration pattern, the little that is left in tact; they are of our connection to our wellbeing of living in harmony.
I humbly ask for all People to make their prayers on April 15th; at high noon, for a healing of humanity - for the decisions that are being made with no regard for the sacredness of life, for the massacred Buffalo's spiritual journey - and to protect what is left - in understanding of what our journey in this life represents in being responsible! We must pray for healing of the human Spirit, to understand the connection to all living beings on Un-ci Ma-ka. In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Can-te Mi-ta-wa I-ta-han (from my heart)
Chief Avrol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
"I want to see a mighty flood of justice ~ a torrent of doing good."
Amos 5:24
www.sdpjc.org
Simultaneous prayer vigils are encouraged to pray for the 1,302+ Buffalo that have been carelesslly slaughtered this winter alone and the thousands more slaughtered in the past decade since the last Releasing the Spirits Ceremony was held in 1997!
From Chief Avrol Looking Horse
Mi-ta-ku-ye (my relatives)
I have been called upon to perform the Releasing the Spirits Ceremony for the thousands of buffalo that have lost their lives in the last decade, in the mountains of Yellowstone River Country.
Many, many generations ago, our relatives, the Pte O-ya-te (Buffalo People) came up from the Wind Cave in the Black Hills; the heart of Un-ci Ma-ka (Grandmother Earth) and prepared the way for our existence. From that time forward they gave of themselves for our survival, as long as we respected their gift. They taught us how to live in an honourable and respectful way by example and through the teachings of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. She brought the Sacred Canupa (Pipe) and also provided us with the knowledge of the sacred rites that are necessary to discipline ourselves.
From the Buffalo Nation, our ancestors learned to have an honourable relationship of being connected with Un-ci Ma-ka; this "way of life" that identifies us of who we are as an O-ya-te (a People), with all its sacred teachings. They understood the gifts from Un-ci and carefully lived in harmony with her well being. For that reason, we hold them to be sacred. We co-existed in a good way until we were nearly destroyed. Ob un-ka-so-ta-pi tka. The sacred buffalo population in these mountains are the survivors of that natural way of life. We are culturally and spiritually indebted to them and we still need their guidance, to remind us how to be at peace and harmony with Un-ci Ma-ka.
Let it be know that Yellowstone territory; the habitat of the last wild Buffalo Nation - is sacred ground, it has been a SACRED SITE for the First Nation's people, and for all humanity who hold deep respect for all Creation. The Buffalo Nation has confirmed this fact; by where they have ended up, continuing to survive in their natural migration, struggling to live in a peaceful manner. Our ancestors also gave us this message by fasting long ago, as they recognized this place of sacredness. This understanding is how we maintain the balance on Un-Ci Ma-Ka, to protect these places, especially for future generations to come.
These Buffalo that lost their lives in Yellowstone did not die by Natural Law, nor were their spirits honored with ceremony. This is why we must go their to perform a ceremony to honor for those who lost their lives by human mis-understanding and pray to Wakan Tankan (Great Spirit) for pity of how gifts were unappreciated. We must pray with all those who grieve and be grateful for them. Many of the people who are deeply concerned of what has happened, in the manner in which their lives were taken; we see this as an unnecessary massacre. We have known that this particular herd is the last original Buffalo Nation that still follows their migration pattern, the little that is left in tact; they are of our connection to our wellbeing of living in harmony.
I humbly ask for all People to make their prayers on April 15th; at high noon, for a healing of humanity - for the decisions that are being made with no regard for the sacredness of life, for the massacred Buffalo's spiritual journey - and to protect what is left - in understanding of what our journey in this life represents in being responsible! We must pray for healing of the human Spirit, to understand the connection to all living beings on Un-ci Ma-ka. In a Sacred Hoop of Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Can-te Mi-ta-wa I-ta-han (from my heart)
Chief Avrol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
"I want to see a mighty flood of justice ~ a torrent of doing good."
Amos 5:24
www.sdpjc.org
Access: Public
I”ll skip the context of what landed me in the Denver Airport at the appointed time, but I ended up grounding this prayer in front of a massive window looking out at the Rocky Mountains on a very bright, sunny day. It was good to later see from the sky that these 'backbones' of Mother Earth appeared exceptionally strong, invincible really. This was a strong and successful ceremony. As the Circle closed, I turned back toward the boarding gate of my connecting flight, engaging a nodless nod from a Friend who'd stood with me.
Mitakuye Oyasin