Way of the Ancestors
UNCI BEVERLY
As winter is releasing its grip and hints of spring are showing on the mountain, I pray that each of you is warm, safe, and well.
What a crazy year 2020 was. So much loss, so much isolation, so much change, and yet so many teachings. It was a gift of time for each of us to go within and do the work we may have been putting off.
Here on the land the tree continues to grow. So do all the weeds! As I look at the snow covered arbor I wonder if we will be able to gather there in July. Will this pandemic be at a level when it is safe? Then again I wonder what is our Earth Mother saying to us? The plants and critters are doing ok, just the humans are struggling. What we had come to know as “normal“ has been turned upside down. Is this how the four legged and other living beings feel because of what we are doing to their homes? And what’s up with the run on toilet paper? Honestly there are more important things than rolls of paper!
Here at Kunsi Keya we continue to care for the land as best two older Womyn and one younger one can. It is hard. Pam had a shoulder replacement in January. We had gone away for two weeks in December and then came home to finish putting the house back together. The flood and fire that caused such upset last May had the blessing of getting a do over in the house. Also was an opportunity to purge unneeded stuff!
Covid fatigue is real, add to that the stress of the political uproar and shift in leadership, it’s a wonder we are all as sane as we are.
An opportunity to have two 12x12 cabins built for $3500 each has come up. We are hoping to raise the money for them by either a raffle or auction. This will be separate from the land payment that we are building. It is also possible that there may be a crew who will come up in spring to rebuild portions of the arbor. Lots to be done. Will forge ahead as if ceremony will take place in person this year.
Last year as I danced in the 114 degree heat in Phoenix, I focused on the pigeons and lizards on the wall of Lushanya’s home. Was a good reminder that prayer can happen anywhere. Was so grateful for the Wimmin who organized and took the ceremony virtual. At first I had my doubts it could work, but seeing everyone’s faces, and knowing that teachings were happening as we danced, humbled me in the true sense.
Please continue to care for yourselves, pray for your sisters, look at your judgement of others and reconsider. Be compassionate and kind if nothing else. We are all related. We all belong no matter our skin tone, our social status, our belief system, our gender.
Take time to learn about someone you may feel dislike or irritation with. You may still not like them but at least you will have an idea of who they are. We all deserve to be seen.
I am grateful to each of you, I hold you each in my prayers daily. I look forward to hugging everyone of you in July. Besides the power of our collective prayer, I miss the hugs the most.
Doska
Unci Beverly
As winter is releasing its grip and hints of spring are showing on the mountain, I pray that each of you is warm, safe, and well.
What a crazy year 2020 was. So much loss, so much isolation, so much change, and yet so many teachings. It was a gift of time for each of us to go within and do the work we may have been putting off.
Here on the land the tree continues to grow. So do all the weeds! As I look at the snow covered arbor I wonder if we will be able to gather there in July. Will this pandemic be at a level when it is safe? Then again I wonder what is our Earth Mother saying to us? The plants and critters are doing ok, just the humans are struggling. What we had come to know as “normal“ has been turned upside down. Is this how the four legged and other living beings feel because of what we are doing to their homes? And what’s up with the run on toilet paper? Honestly there are more important things than rolls of paper!
Here at Kunsi Keya we continue to care for the land as best two older Womyn and one younger one can. It is hard. Pam had a shoulder replacement in January. We had gone away for two weeks in December and then came home to finish putting the house back together. The flood and fire that caused such upset last May had the blessing of getting a do over in the house. Also was an opportunity to purge unneeded stuff!
Covid fatigue is real, add to that the stress of the political uproar and shift in leadership, it’s a wonder we are all as sane as we are.
An opportunity to have two 12x12 cabins built for $3500 each has come up. We are hoping to raise the money for them by either a raffle or auction. This will be separate from the land payment that we are building. It is also possible that there may be a crew who will come up in spring to rebuild portions of the arbor. Lots to be done. Will forge ahead as if ceremony will take place in person this year.
Last year as I danced in the 114 degree heat in Phoenix, I focused on the pigeons and lizards on the wall of Lushanya’s home. Was a good reminder that prayer can happen anywhere. Was so grateful for the Wimmin who organized and took the ceremony virtual. At first I had my doubts it could work, but seeing everyone’s faces, and knowing that teachings were happening as we danced, humbled me in the true sense.
Please continue to care for yourselves, pray for your sisters, look at your judgement of others and reconsider. Be compassionate and kind if nothing else. We are all related. We all belong no matter our skin tone, our social status, our belief system, our gender.
Take time to learn about someone you may feel dislike or irritation with. You may still not like them but at least you will have an idea of who they are. We all deserve to be seen.
I am grateful to each of you, I hold you each in my prayers daily. I look forward to hugging everyone of you in July. Besides the power of our collective prayer, I miss the hugs the most.
Doska
Unci Beverly
Walking the pathways
LUSHANYA ECHEVERRIA
Wherever we choose to step on sacred Mother Earth, we leave our footprints; especially our energetic footprint. Every encounter we have with another person, leaves an impression; an energetic impression. The same is true in reverse; others leave their energetic footprint and impression with us. We are taught, by the Creator, by Unci Beverly, and our elders, we have a responsibility to walk in beauty wherever we go, and to always clean up after ourselves.
We encounter many people in our lifetimes. Each and every person we meet, engage with, pass, cross, and overlook, have a lesson to teach us. Some of us are very open to receiving those teachings from our brothers, sisters, and siblings; others not so much. The truth is we can only receive the teachings we are ready for, and have you learned, that that is, “Okay”? The same is true on the flipside, others will only receive the teaching for which they, too, are ready. And, that, too, is “Okay.” Love can still be present.
With the pandemic, the majority of humans on our sacred Mother Earth were presented the same lesson. Individually, we received the same information, instructions, and guidance. Yet, what each of us chose to take from the lesson is to be determined. This pandemic is not much different than many ceremonies we have chosen to attend. Each ceremony has its unique membrane that engulfs the people as one unit, offers the same medicines to each participant, and allows opportunities for visioning. Once the ceremony is over, we are given an integration period. In Sundance, we call this the “30-day Rule”. There are similar “rules” given in many other ceremonies, and these integration “rules” are the wisest suggestions from the medicines, spirits, and ancestors to help us, in human form, “integrate” the exchange of energies, and healings, given in our ceremonies.
During the Kunsi Keya Speaks teaching series, Unci Beverly Little Thunder shared the importance of finding the ceremony in every step of our walk. We emphasize honoring the sacred elements and medicines that give us life and can make our journeys a little bit easier, and help reduce our human sufferings. As I conclude the final stages of a long, arduous journey of academia, I recognize the biggest lesson I have learned is humility. Being a leader means being humble. And the medicine teaches us humility each opportunity it can; once the ceremony or medicine gives the lesson, each of us has the freedom and choice to receive and integrate those lessons. And, whatever we choose, is “Okay”. We are still loved.
As we emerge from the ceremony of the global pandemic, we want you to know we are still here, offering the medicine and the ceremonies. For a while, those offerings may look different. We honor the integration period. We do not yet know how this years’ Sundance Ceremony will look. And so we remind you, turn to your altars, use your medicines, reach out to the community. We will come together again, emerging from the lesson.
Today, I give you this sacred lesson, and humble guidance.
Every breath, flutters from the winged; a gift of Air.
Every spark of an idea or passionate flare; a gift of Fire.
Every well up of the heart, and every tear; a gift of Water.
Every plant, or swell on your path: a gift of Earth.
Every transition, diversion, transformation; a gift of Spirit and Sky.
Every animal; an opportunity to look beyond ourselves, a gift from Community.
Wherever we choose to step on sacred Mother Earth, we leave our footprints; especially our energetic footprint. Every encounter we have with another person, leaves an impression; an energetic impression. The same is true in reverse; others leave their energetic footprint and impression with us. We are taught, by the Creator, by Unci Beverly, and our elders, we have a responsibility to walk in beauty wherever we go, and to always clean up after ourselves.
We encounter many people in our lifetimes. Each and every person we meet, engage with, pass, cross, and overlook, have a lesson to teach us. Some of us are very open to receiving those teachings from our brothers, sisters, and siblings; others not so much. The truth is we can only receive the teachings we are ready for, and have you learned, that that is, “Okay”? The same is true on the flipside, others will only receive the teaching for which they, too, are ready. And, that, too, is “Okay.” Love can still be present.
With the pandemic, the majority of humans on our sacred Mother Earth were presented the same lesson. Individually, we received the same information, instructions, and guidance. Yet, what each of us chose to take from the lesson is to be determined. This pandemic is not much different than many ceremonies we have chosen to attend. Each ceremony has its unique membrane that engulfs the people as one unit, offers the same medicines to each participant, and allows opportunities for visioning. Once the ceremony is over, we are given an integration period. In Sundance, we call this the “30-day Rule”. There are similar “rules” given in many other ceremonies, and these integration “rules” are the wisest suggestions from the medicines, spirits, and ancestors to help us, in human form, “integrate” the exchange of energies, and healings, given in our ceremonies.
During the Kunsi Keya Speaks teaching series, Unci Beverly Little Thunder shared the importance of finding the ceremony in every step of our walk. We emphasize honoring the sacred elements and medicines that give us life and can make our journeys a little bit easier, and help reduce our human sufferings. As I conclude the final stages of a long, arduous journey of academia, I recognize the biggest lesson I have learned is humility. Being a leader means being humble. And the medicine teaches us humility each opportunity it can; once the ceremony or medicine gives the lesson, each of us has the freedom and choice to receive and integrate those lessons. And, whatever we choose, is “Okay”. We are still loved.
As we emerge from the ceremony of the global pandemic, we want you to know we are still here, offering the medicine and the ceremonies. For a while, those offerings may look different. We honor the integration period. We do not yet know how this years’ Sundance Ceremony will look. And so we remind you, turn to your altars, use your medicines, reach out to the community. We will come together again, emerging from the lesson.
Today, I give you this sacred lesson, and humble guidance.
Every breath, flutters from the winged; a gift of Air.
Every spark of an idea or passionate flare; a gift of Fire.
Every well up of the heart, and every tear; a gift of Water.
Every plant, or swell on your path: a gift of Earth.
Every transition, diversion, transformation; a gift of Spirit and Sky.
Every animal; an opportunity to look beyond ourselves, a gift from Community.
SERVING THE CIRCLE
SUSAN RIGGINS—Senior Caretaker and Advisor
In June of 1990, Beverly LittleThunder, came to South Carolina to assist our community with the building of a Sweat Lodge. Beverly left the lodge in the care of Ellen Spangler, a beautiful woman and my teacher. Ellen poured water and helped me maintain the integrity of this Lodge for six years. Then one day she announced I am moving - she handed me the bucket with the gourd ladle in it “ the Lodge is yours she said.” Feeling alone and overwhelmed I called Beverly on the phone. —HELP I exclaimed !.….Beverly responded by coming to SC many times for teachings and the sharing of her knowledge. During her teachings she told colorfully crafted stories about the Women’s Sundance and invited us to come. After four invitations, I finally agreed and I have not missed a year since.
The second year at Sundance I was asked to help Caretake the dancers and I have been in service to them every year since. It is a position of protection, caring, and assisting dancers on their spiritual path. It is such a deep honor to do this.
I have extended my duties and responsibilities in the Sundance community and the South Lodge. 30 years it’s still going strong.
I have looked deeply within myself and matured my own spiritual path. Serving the Sundance community has been one of the many rewards in life. I am thankful for the journey.
Susan Riggins
(thanks Renee Sugrue for editing-I love you.)
In June of 1990, Beverly LittleThunder, came to South Carolina to assist our community with the building of a Sweat Lodge. Beverly left the lodge in the care of Ellen Spangler, a beautiful woman and my teacher. Ellen poured water and helped me maintain the integrity of this Lodge for six years. Then one day she announced I am moving - she handed me the bucket with the gourd ladle in it “ the Lodge is yours she said.” Feeling alone and overwhelmed I called Beverly on the phone. —HELP I exclaimed !.….Beverly responded by coming to SC many times for teachings and the sharing of her knowledge. During her teachings she told colorfully crafted stories about the Women’s Sundance and invited us to come. After four invitations, I finally agreed and I have not missed a year since.
The second year at Sundance I was asked to help Caretake the dancers and I have been in service to them every year since. It is a position of protection, caring, and assisting dancers on their spiritual path. It is such a deep honor to do this.
I have extended my duties and responsibilities in the Sundance community and the South Lodge. 30 years it’s still going strong.
I have looked deeply within myself and matured my own spiritual path. Serving the Sundance community has been one of the many rewards in life. I am thankful for the journey.
Susan Riggins
(thanks Renee Sugrue for editing-I love you.)
UP ON THIS LAND
PAM ALEXANDER
Winter is loosening its grip on the mountain and we are begging to see the signs of spring. The red wing black bird is seen at the feeder and the finches are changing their color to yellow. It seemed like a long snowy winter with little reprieve. But that is how most of the last year has felt, long and hard with little reprieve from the virus that has had us in it’s grips. Despite the challenges, life on the mountain and our responsibilities of care taking, do not let up. As the snow melts we are already planning strategies for repairs that will take place on the land.
Project 1: The sections of the arbor from the dancers area to the drum area,east gate to the drum area, and east gate to the north side entrance all need to be replaced. This project will begin with an estimate of cost in early April. The expected figure will be somewhere around $2500.
Project 2: The support posts in the pavilion will need to be replaced with 6” pressure treated posts. The 4” cedar posts are near their end and to ensure physical integrity of the building, these need to be replaced. Expected cost around $2500.
Project 3: The roof on the chateau needs to be replaced. We made a temporary repair to get us through the winter. We are looking at approximately $1000 to replace this with tar paper and metal roofing. These three are the most critical to ensure we do not lose these structures, and ensure they will be ready for the return of our beautiful community when the time is right. As camp manager, I can look around and see twenty things that need to be done, but triage says these are the top priorities.
Don’t worry, I keep a list going at all times! Lol. Soon, we will get out the lawn mowers and weed eaters, and dust off the tractor. We will do our mechanical maintenance on our equipment and prepare for the season. Soon the grass will need to be mowed and maintained. Fallen limbs and trees cleared and bucked for firewood. I will be able to get to the cabins and trailers that are home to many to ensure they have no damage, or identity any repairs that need to be made. It may well be time to remove some of these due to age. We have also been contacted with an opportunity to have some cabins built by a local group that will teach youth how to construct cabins! It is a great opportunity for all of us. We will need to pay for materials, labor is free. Cost for these cabins will run around $3000 each.
I hope to see you all when it is safe for us to gather. In the meantime, know that we are working everyday to keep the land safe and sacred awaiting your return.
Pam
Winter is loosening its grip on the mountain and we are begging to see the signs of spring. The red wing black bird is seen at the feeder and the finches are changing their color to yellow. It seemed like a long snowy winter with little reprieve. But that is how most of the last year has felt, long and hard with little reprieve from the virus that has had us in it’s grips. Despite the challenges, life on the mountain and our responsibilities of care taking, do not let up. As the snow melts we are already planning strategies for repairs that will take place on the land.
Project 1: The sections of the arbor from the dancers area to the drum area,east gate to the drum area, and east gate to the north side entrance all need to be replaced. This project will begin with an estimate of cost in early April. The expected figure will be somewhere around $2500.
Project 2: The support posts in the pavilion will need to be replaced with 6” pressure treated posts. The 4” cedar posts are near their end and to ensure physical integrity of the building, these need to be replaced. Expected cost around $2500.
Project 3: The roof on the chateau needs to be replaced. We made a temporary repair to get us through the winter. We are looking at approximately $1000 to replace this with tar paper and metal roofing. These three are the most critical to ensure we do not lose these structures, and ensure they will be ready for the return of our beautiful community when the time is right. As camp manager, I can look around and see twenty things that need to be done, but triage says these are the top priorities.
Don’t worry, I keep a list going at all times! Lol. Soon, we will get out the lawn mowers and weed eaters, and dust off the tractor. We will do our mechanical maintenance on our equipment and prepare for the season. Soon the grass will need to be mowed and maintained. Fallen limbs and trees cleared and bucked for firewood. I will be able to get to the cabins and trailers that are home to many to ensure they have no damage, or identity any repairs that need to be made. It may well be time to remove some of these due to age. We have also been contacted with an opportunity to have some cabins built by a local group that will teach youth how to construct cabins! It is a great opportunity for all of us. We will need to pay for materials, labor is free. Cost for these cabins will run around $3000 each.
I hope to see you all when it is safe for us to gather. In the meantime, know that we are working everyday to keep the land safe and sacred awaiting your return.
Pam