Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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NORTHERN CHEYENNE, LAME DEER, MT - Northern Cheyenne, concerned over the exploitation of the Sundance and Sweat Lodge, urged other Indian Nations to defend their Covenant with the Creator and preserve their languages and ceremonies.

In California, Oregon and Washington, whites are conducting Sweat Lodges, taking flesh offerings and leading Sundance Ceremonies.

"We feel that this is somehow not right, as in the beginning of time the Creator came to all nations and to each he gave a Covenant, and a way of worship with a language in which to communicate," said Bernard Red Cherries, Northern Cheyenne Elk Society Headsman and Arrow/Sundance Priest.

"To the Indians he gave a language in which we can and do communicate to the earth, spirits, trees, animals and elements. We live in the ways of our elders as close as we can and do, as they would have us do.

"This does not, however, give people the right to abuse and lay claim to our ways."

Red Cherries met in mid-March with Lakota representatives on Bear Butte, S.D., to discuss protection of ceremonies and share histories. He called the meeting because there are 12 or more Sundances in the Pacific Northwest, with two claiming to be Cheyenne Earth Renewal Ceremonials.

Red Cherries also met with the Elkhorn Warrior Society in Lame Deer during March. Now, a larger gathering of traditional Sundance and Sweat Lodge leaders is planned to protect the ceremonies.

Red Cherries said the elders and grandparents fought valiantly without hesitation and even gave their lives to keep the ceremonies alive.

Because of speaking out about the exploitation, he is now the target of constant scrutiny and threats of physical intimidation.

The struggle, however, brings back this memory.

Red Cherries said when he was growing up on the Northern Cheyenne reservation in Busby and Lame Deer he wondered why his family never had new cars and material wealth.

Red Cherries asked his Uncle Thomas Rock Roads, Sr., why the family was so poor.

"He smiled and explained to me in Cheyenne, that we are very rich. We still speak and understand our language. We still have our Sacred Hat Bundle and Sundance, we still know how to hunt, and eat raw liver.

"Without being ashamed, he told me that when we lose all of this, then and only then, would we be truly poor.

"Well, now I understand and will try to do all I can to preserve and protect this way of life in which our grandparents fought and died for so that we could pray in this sacred way."

Northern Cheyenne have since time immemorial practiced and followed the traditional Sundance ways of their grandfathers and grandmothers. Their Sundance is to remain on their homeland in southeastern Montana, he said.

"The Sundance is to remain in the jurisdiction of the traditional Warrior Societies as it was instituted at the beginning of time since our Creation, and its guidance to remain with our traditional Sundance Priests who have been taught the protocol and proper procedures as it was intended to be since the beginning of time for all time."

The Northern Cheyenne were given the Sundance as a renewal ceremony by the Creator through His prophet.

"The Sundance is our lifeline and we will not play with, nor sell or bargain with anyone its rite and related ceremonials, songs and ceremonial paints."

The Sundance Ceremony has specific songs and requires an ancient age-old Suthio language, which cannot be duplicated by whites or other tribes.

The Warrior Society urged other tribes to take action to protect the authenticity and integrity of their ceremonies for future generations.

Cheyenne spiritual leaders James Blackwolf, Sr., James Spear, Thomas Rock Roads, Sr., Charles Brady and Austin Two Moons, Sr., taught Red Cherries.

"These gentlemen passed on what they knew with all good intent and I would hope to keep it that way," Red Cherries said.

Northern Cheyenne are also struggling to protect the Sweat Lodge, given to Indian people for prayers and renewal. With the Sweat Lodge came songs to be sung in sequence.

"Each tribe has their own ways, we in particular are concerned about the fact that some white people learn and participate in the Sweat Lodge Ceremonies and then in turn start their own Sweat Lodges and run these sacred ceremonials."

The Northern Cheyenne spiritual ways include the traditional Sundance, Sweat Lodge, Healing Ceremonials and Name Giving.

The Northern Cheyenne understand the exploitation of the Sundance and will not condone or participate in its practice, Red Cherries said.

Those who have Sundances away from the Northern Cheyenne homeland "tend to elude the authority of the traditionals and give a false impression to the public."

Non-Indians like Nathan Deon Cagle in California have exploited the spiritual ceremonies to the extent of being convicted of crimes.

Cagle, 49, known as "Windwalker," was convicted on eight felony counts in Yolo County Superior Court in California.

Claiming to be a Northern Cheyenne spiritual leader, Cagle charged hundreds of dollars for sweat lodge ceremonies and "vision quests." He offered Native experiences to children and advertised rites of passage and pipe ceremonies on the Internet. Cagle, who says he is innocent, was convicted of theft by false pretenses, extortion, stalking, embezzlement and other charges.

Red Cherries said Cagle and others like him "are very troubled people and we humbly request that they take pity on us.

"You have already taken so much from us."

In a plea for non-Indians to halt their abuse and Indian Nations to gather together to preserve the gifts of the ancestors, Red Cherries said, "I ask you this as a brother and friend. Ah-ho."