Category Archives: Block 3: 2011-12

  After an experience such as the one we had in Pine Ridge, we, visitors from the dominant culture, cannot escape the inevitable question “What should we do?” This question is difficult to answer, and can be uncomfortable for a group such as ours, who strive to … Continue reading →

I closed my eyes, focusing on both my breath and Celinda’s breath, and grounded myself in the moment. I repeated in my mind over and over “Let me be a hollow bone” continuously and let myself linger in that phrase … Continue reading →

Celinda set the intentionality for our final pipe ceremony to be gratitude. I am currently sitting outside a coffee shop in California feeling grateful for the opportunity to be here with Kendall and feeling grateful to have the space and … Continue reading →

I do not know this place. Every telling of history tastes an awful lot like past-tense with the qualifying pre-tense: “was, were, no longer theirs, stolen” with the underlying tone of a little more than dishonest. I do not know … Continue reading →

For my final presentation, I looked at indigenous hunting rituals among tribes of the northern plains. I was unable to find many sources on this topic until I found Howard Harrod’s book, The Animals Came Dancing, in the library and … Continue reading →

After experiencing the final project presentations yesterday, I decided to dedicate my final blog post to the issue of Indigenous Peoples in the media. We had two interesting presentations on the topic: from the media team we learned about the … Continue reading →

For my ceremony reflection, I posted on this blog about what it means to “Break the Circle.”  I finished the paper with these sentiments: “While I am still conflicted as to what exactly constitutes a broken circle, I now realize … Continue reading →

When I first came to Pine Ridge I felt scared and alone could not shake the feeling that this was not my home yet I gave it an open heart and mind and left myself open to whatever I could … Continue reading →

Someone mentioned the idea of the circle during the last pipe ceremony with Celinda and it has really stuck with me. The idea of the circle: to really have no beginning or ending. Or at least to have a beginning … Continue reading →

Throughout this class I have been exposed to many beautiful spiritual practices that have moved me. Pipe ceremony, in particular, was a ceremony that brought me both clarity and connection to those around me. As a form of council, pipe … Continue reading →