#unci maka

[olowan-waphiya]

#indigenous #native american #apache #ancestors #ancestral knowledge #food #foodways #indigenous food #unci maka #grandmother #elders

[shamandrummer]

Let's Stand Again With Standing Rock

It's time to take action and stop the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL)! It's been over six years since DAPL began carrying oil and nearly a year and a half since the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the pipeline operator Energy Transfer's attempt to avoid producing a required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Today, in violation of a separate court order, DAPL continues to operate illegally, without a federal easement. Finally, after interminable delay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finally released an extremely problematic draft EIS for public input.

That's where you come in. You now have just a few weeks to submit your public comment demanding the Corps shut this pipeline down and require a new, valid EIS. Please stand with Standing Rock in this critical moment and write to the Army Corps right now.

Now that the EIS has been released, we can confirm what we already suspected. Prepared by a member of the American Petroleum Institute -- clear conflict of interest -- the EIS addresses none of Standing Rock's many grave concerns about DAPL. Those include DAPL's imminent threat to the Missouri River, big problems with Energy Transfer's emergency response plans, Energy Transfer's horrendous safety track record, continued lack of transparency with Standing Rock throughout the environmental review process, inaccurate characterizations of tribal consultation, and sensitive habitat and sacred burial sites along the riverbank.

Earlier this year, four U.S. senators including Bernie Sanders submitted a letter to the Corps seeking an explanation. The reply from Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor did not adequately or honestly address the tribe's complaints. Standing Rock replied, pointing out the flaws in approach and demanding redress.

For now, it's up to us to lend a hand. We must flood the Army Corps with a single, unified message: This illegal pipeline's operations must be terminated and the Army Corps must start over with a legitimate environmental review. In the midst of a climate emergency, let's defend sacred ground and safeguard Unci Maka (our Grandmother Earth). This may be our last, best chance to end DAPL once and for all. Please take action now.

#standing rock #dapl #indigenous rights #lakota #public comment #environmentalism #fossil fuels #big oil #pipelines #climate crisis

[mosertone]

Tokala Wicouncage

I was born to live in balance and harmony, brought from the ancestors to walk as a ikce wicasa on this beautiful unci maka.

But instead i was taught to own a square piece of land and put up a fence around it, and believe i owned that piece of grandmother.

I was shown anger, hate, jealosy and envy.

I was to believe that drinking alcohol and taking drugs/chemicals is how i make myself feel.

I learned to cry all the time, always walking with my eyes looking down, crying.

One day wakan tanka looking down decided to help me. He brought me from the drugs and drinking.

He showed me the canunpa and how to pray with it. I was shown all the beautiful values, that i am meant to be free and happy.

He showed me beautiful ceremonies to express my true natural self.

Beside me he would walk, he said.

So with creator I will live the rest of my days.

Mitakuye Oyasin.

Lena epa wacin, unsimakilayo.

[rodrigogaspar2203]

Unci Maka, Oh Makiayo Tunkasila, Pila maya yelo heya heya hey Cura cura, sana sana, cura mi familia Wakantanka, Wakantanka lleva mi alma Doy Gracias por mi vida . . . . . . Grandmother Earth, I am praying to you. Great spirit, I give gratitude cure cure, heal heal, heal my family. Great Spirit, carry my soul I give thanks for my life ♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5Fo3PvyniwgZ-q18H_RWSfutTj3epMjdPpvU0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[nonlovesongoftheday]

Unci Song - Tiana Spotted Thunder

Unči Maka, tečhihila, wičoni mayak’uwe, unči kin ob nawažin ye.

Grandmother Earth, I cherish you. You give me life. I stand with my grandmothers.

#Tiana Spotted Thunder #nature #family #religion #Lakota #indigenous #2020s

[stinerbros]

Dakota Water Wars, Chapter Two: Honor the Treaties from Janet Alkire on Vimeo.

The Tribes of the Oceti Sakowin are united in our mission to stop the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL). Hundreds of years of colonization — forced migration, broken treaties, flooding our territory, and the refusal to return our homelands — has led us to this moment. We won’t stop fighting for what is right, for our People and for Unci Maka, our Grandmother Earth. Honor the treaties. Mni wiconi — water is life.

[naomiinyun]

#unci maka #ayla schafer #Spotify

[primordialsoundmeditation]

"One day, when I was a little girl, my brother and I were on the playground. We saw a beautiful little blond haired girl and we went to play with her. She told my brother 'go home and wash your skin, you're dirty'. My little brother and I ran home crying to our Unci (grandmother). She laid a blanket down and said "Iyotakapi Takoja' (sit down grandchildren) she sat down with us and took a pinch of dirt from the ground and rubbed it into my arm. As it blended into my arm she said 'This is where you come from Takoja, -Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) This is who we are. You are Lakota and as a Lakota person you are the foundation that holds everything."

- Unci Marie Randall (pictured here)

Digital Smoke Signals

[ms-cellanies]

DAPL MUST BE SHUT DOWN - IMMEDIATELY.

WE & OUR GOVERNMENT MUST PROTECT NATIVE LANDS 

[callmeanxietygirl]

"One day, when I was a little girl, my brother and I were on the playground. We saw a beautiful little blond haired girl and we went to play with her. She told my brother 'go home and wash your skin, you're dirty'. My little brother and I ran home crying to our Unci (grandmother). She laid a blanket down and said "Iyotakapi Takoja' (sit down grandchildren) she sat down with us and took a pinch of dirt from the ground and rubbed it into my arm. As it blended into my arm she said 'This is where you come from Takoja, -Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth) This is who we are. You are Lakota and as a Lakota person you are the foundation that holds everything."

- Unci Marie Randall (pictured here)

[blackwoolncrown]

Mahto Akicita & Tiwahe - Wokiksuye [Lakota / Native American Downtempo]

We are honoured to present these heartfelt tribute prayer songs, birthed from Pathwey & Iyakuh's excursion into South Dakota's Lakota community to honour their lost friend, as well as traditional practice of their culture. Buy to Support Mahto Akicita's Family (100% Proceeds are Donated): https://aquaticcollective.bandcamp.co... 

The full story reads as follows: "‘Wokiksuye: A Tribute to Our Ancestors’ is an interpretation of four ceremonial Lakota prayer songs that would traditionally be sung during an Inipi (Sweat Lodge) Ceremony. The word “wokiksuye” means “remembrance” or “the act of remembering something.” This album was created to honor and remember the life of Mahto Akicita and to continue his legacy and prayers of helping to inspire the youth and the Native American people to celebrate and honor their traditional teachings and ways of life. Mahto touched the lives of countless people through his spirit and message and we hope that he will continue to do so through these songs.

 Shortly after “Beautiful Ways” was recorded, Mahto Akicita tragically passed away. His mother, Unci Maka, along with his step father, A’te, came together with his tiwahe (family) to record three more songs to complete the album and fulfill his vision of sharing Lakota prayer music with the world. It is our prayer that these songs will bring healing to all those in need and that they may travel far and wide to touch the hearts and minds of all those who listen. We pray that the people of the world will learn from the Lakota teachings and live once again in respect and harmony with each other and with this planet we call home. We pray that the youth be inspired once again to honor their culture and the teachings of their elders and we pray that all those of the Lakota Nation and of indigenous cultures around the world continue to carry the wisdom of their ancestors for the benefit of all humanity. Wopila Tanka. Aho, Mitakuye Oyasin." 

 Recorded, Composed & Produced by Pathwey & Iyakuh www.soundcloud.com/pathwey www.soundcloud.com/iyakuh Mixed by Pathwey Mastered by Hacienda Mastering [ www.haciendamastering.com ] Artwork by Pathwey [ www.pathwey.com ] Animated by Shivelight

#music #indigenous #lakota #downtempo

[olowan-waphiya]

Do the Lakota have any dietary laws to go by, like something similar to the Jewish Kashrut or the Mongolian taboo against baby animals like veal or lamb (the actual age & not the US marketing term used for sheep meat from any age, also covering hogget & mutton)?

disclaimer that I'm a student of my culture and don't know everything. i've also been very lucky with my family and experiences.

Not that I know of? At least I'm not sure if it counts as a 'law' so much as just a matter of the way of life, as I've been taught? And I suppose others might look down on someone if they deviate too harshly lol Off the top of my head I have some thoughts and any other Lakotas feel free to add (I'm Oglala but i'm sure there is some similarities, even among other indigenous nations/cultures);

Having gratitude for the food you eat, and who cooked it, to unci maka and tunkasila

It's considered rude to not eat if offered food at someone's house

The process of obtaining the food, especially when hunted. We know that this relative has given their life for us so that we may live. And so there is motivation to use as much of the animal as possible.

Waste not. Where possible, reuse.

Harvesting food is similar; we know we are taking this life so that we can use it for pejuta (medicine),woyute (food) and/or ceremony.

In the same vein, harvesting practices of reciprocation should be followed. thought and care put into what you take and what you leave.

Usually at big meals (or even small ones), we put out a Spirit Plate. A plate with a lil bit of everything that is being served and put somewhere up high for those in the spirit world. Like inviting them to eat with us and to know we are thinking of them.

As for the baby animal taboo thing, we don't have that either, i think? I mean, i think its generally acknowledged as bad practice.but also we have puppy soup so idk lol (never had it before but thereyago)

[ventraman]

While I was mowing my backyard, I came upon one of the many rabbits that live there. This one had mysteriously died. I picked it up and examined it. There were no signs of trauma. It looked like it was just sleeping. Rigor mortis had set in. So sad 😢 I did bury it next to my shed. My Lakota native friend spoke of Unci Maka. The universal creator for her people. I hope that (he) will take care of this lil guy. 😞

[tracilala]

😂 . Reposted from @zahnmcclarnon Aho happy birthday brother ❤️ @prideofgypsies celebrating your 41 yrs on Unci Maka (Mother Earth) and also RIP Gerard Kipp (the brother who walks behind us) who we lost a few months back #blackfeet #stuntman #lastmanhunt - #regrann #JasonMomoa #PrideOfGypsies #happybirthday #theredroad https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXmMLOHMfM/?igshid=1mh6o87vcymjp

#blackfeet #stuntman #lastmanhunt #regrann #jasonmomoa #prideofgypsies #happybirthday #theredroad

[shamandrummer]

Battling the Black Snake

The coming of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines have fulfilled the Lakota prophecy of a terrible black snake meant to bring harm to the people of Turtle Island. Native organizers stand on the front lines every day to protect the sacred systems of Unci Maka, our Grandmother Earth. Mni Wiconi -- water is life!

Your voice is needed. For though the resistance at Standing Rock has been forcibly paused and oil now flows through the Dakota Access pipeline, the struggle to protect the health and safety of the tribe and people downstream isn't over. Quickly and quietly, Energy Transfer Partners is planning to more than double the amount of oil DAPL carries, to more than a million barrels a day. And they're doing this -- once more -- without the consent of the people.

Big Oil assures us that increasing oil flow through pipelines isn't dangerous, but U.S. regulators say their information doesn't back that claim. And tar sands crude -- the type of oil DAPL carries -- is a special threat: corrosive to infrastructure, it caused a million-gallon spill into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan not long ago. The United States suffers hundreds of liquid pipeline incidents every year. Why should we trust Big Oil's word?

Between now and the deadline for input on Aug. 9, we will do everything we can to ensure a public hearing -- the first step in stopping DAPL from becoming twice as dangerous. The Black Snake's presence must not be allowed to fester and grow without pushback from every corner of Turtle Island. Will you stand with us once again to ensure the safety of our people and our sacred land and water? You can use our form to send an email telling North Dakota’s Public Service Commission that the people must be heard!

Wopila Tanka -- Thank you for making a difference! Mni Wiconi.

Chase Iron Eyes Lead Counsel The Lakota People's Law Project

#keystone xl pipeline #DAPL #dakota access pipeline #Standing Rock Sioux #lakota peoples law project #water is life #indigenous rights #big oil

[runstrong4aiy]

From Firefighting to Woodworking: An Update from Year 3 Dreamstarter Stephan Cheney

Stephan Cheney (Kul Wicasa Oyate) came to Running Strong with his dream, TsˈDenoni Youth Program (Where the Bear Plays), to establish an after-school youth mentorship program to help Native youth acquire job readiness skills and work experience “while simultaneously providing positive reinforcement of what it means to be a strong Native American in this day and age.

“The main objective,” he told us in his Dreamstarter application, “is to establish a connection between our transition-aged youth and the younger generation that encourages positive behavior, leadership, and meaningful relationships throughout the community.”

Cheney, now 28 and a former wildland firefighter, mentioned that he likes to do anything that is outside.

“This is probably why I was so passionate about firefighting,” he said. “I feel strongest when I am directly connected with Unci Maka!

“What started as collecting burned pieces of wood from wildfires has now developed into a new passion! I love woodworking and making furniture.”

His work includes constructing end tables, cedar benches, and even dining room tables.

Over the past few years, Stephan has become more and more focused on his passion for woodworking and he continues to partner with Running Strong by selling his artwork through our e-Store.

As the owner of High Rez Wood Company, he describes his business as “A Native empowered enterprise in right relation with Mother Earth.

“High Rez Wood Company specializes in creating high-quality handcrafted items and tables that convey the complexities of indigenous life through indigenous eyes,” he explained.

Stephan developed his love for trees during his years as a wildland firefighter in the knowledge that even as he cut down burnt trees, he knew they still had life and so many stories to tell.

“If you scratch beneath the surface, you can see that the beauty is still there,” he says. “The wood is not only salvageable but also full of spirit.”

Today, for Stephan, an emerging entrepreneur, woodworking has become another method of putting good things out into the world.

He currently resides and operates in Humboldt County, in northern California, where he happily creates in his shop surrounded by ancient redwoods, madrones, and oaks.

Stephan is inspired by the Peoples’ who call the coastal lands of northern California home.

Within his body of work, Stephan incorporates many natural elements such as cedar, tobacco, dentalium, and abalone, and on every completed piece one will find a small 2x2-inch tipi surrounded by a horse hoof representing the Lakota and Horse Nations.

To date, Stephan has worked with many wood species, including Birch, Madrone, Redwood (from his own back yard), Pacific Maple, Western and Eastern Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Blue Pine, Tan Oak, Eucalyptus, and California Walnut.

For Stephan, knowing where the wood comes from is a priority, as it establishes a connection, a relationship to it. If he doesn’t know the origin of the wood, he won’t use it.

Stephan wants to increase the vitality of the forest through his work, not disrupt it. For this reason, he is a huge proponent of using salvaged or reclaimed woods, woods impacted by bug kill, invasive species, wood from landfills and wood impacted by wildfire.