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Important announcement of the: CEREMONIAL SUNDANCE, SWEAT LODGE, AND TRADITIONAL HEALING CEREMONIALS PROTECTION MEETING. MAY 10TH, 11TH, 2003. BEARBUTTE, SOUTH DAKOTA CEREMONIAL HOME OF THE CHEYENNE.

TO: Arapahoe Nation, Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Nation, and interested Sundance Nations and Leaders

From: Bernard Red Cherries JR, Northern Cheyenne Sundance/Arrow Priest and Elk Society Headsman

Re: Women participation

The following meeting is being called and hosted by the Cheyenne Nation at Bear Butte, a.k.a known as "Sweet Medicine Butte", from which our sacred covenant of the Sacred Arrows was received by our Cheyenne Spiritual Leader, Sweet Medicine. The Cheyenne Dogsoldiers and Lakota warriors will provide security.

As previously reminded during the Warriors Society meeting discussing the avenues of seeking strength and understanding in the decision of "protection of ceremonies" and our way of life, I mentioned the protocol of this type of Cheyenne meeting: "This meeting will be run in a traditional Cheyenne manner, we have respected your Nations protocols and procedures and humbly request that you respect our traditional Cheyenne protocols and procedures, woman will be respected but not allowed in the meeting, these ways were passed down by our forefathers and does not mean we disrespect woman in any way and should not be taken as such." I would like to encourage the women to still attend and form their own circle of discussion on these very topics of desecration, as it has been the women and children that have been most abused by these atrocities. Before the Warriors Council begins, we would like the Elder women to carry a message of their concerns to those men that will sit in council. After the council is over, once again, we would like to hear the thoughts of your circle and position, there will be time for this important communication from our sacred women.

Ha-ho

Schedule:

5-10-03 Sunrise sweat ceremony on Southside at campgrounds, breakfast to follow. Meeting will be held at Bear Butte campground starting at 1pm till end. Supper will be served at Bear Butte lodge after.

5-11-03 Sunrise sweat ceremony on Southside at campgrounds, breakfast to follow. Meeting will be held at Bear Butte campground and gathering to start at 9:30am till finish, meal will follow.