Native Sun Dance, rare in the area, is being held
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by kevin abourezk
HALLAM - As a child, Leonard Crow Dog was hidden from agents of the U.S. government for fear he would be taken from his parents and forced to give up his language and culture.
His elders taught him Lakota cultural and religious practices in secret as they were banned by the government at that time. At age 13, Crow Dog became a medicine man.
On Saturday, the Lakota holy man and Native rights activist who became famous during the 1973 Siege of Wounded Knee came to Southeast Nebraska to share his culture and religion.
This time, he did so in the open.
"This is not a Lakota Sun Dance," the 64-year-old said. "It's a way of life however you want to live."
For the first time in recent memory, a Sun Dance is being held in Southeast Nebraska. The ceremony will officially begin today, though Saturday was considered tree day at the site west of Hallam.
Considered the most sacred of all Lakota religious ceremonies, the Sun Dance is usually held in the summer months for four days and nights. Participants dance from sunrise to sunset bereft of food and water around the tree.
Near the end of the dance, the men often pierce their flesh with sharp sticks attached to ropes. Those ropes are then tied to the tree, and the men eventually tear the sticks from their chests by pulling away from the tree.
By giving of their blood and flesh, dancers make sacrifices to their creator in the hopes their prayers will be heard.
While some Lakota holy men believe only Natives should be allowed to take part in the Sun Dance, the ceremony being held near Hallam is open to all races, though only by invitation.
Inmates from area correctional facilities even helped prepare the ceremonial grounds Saturday.
Crow Dog said the Sun Dance, as well as other Lakota ceremonies, should be shared with people of all races.
"When the Mayflower first came to our shores, we should have done this," he said.
Crow Dog, who served as the spiritual leader for the American Indian Movement in the 1970s, said he has continued to fight for Native rights. However, his relationship with AIM has been strained in recent years.
He singled out AIM founders Vernon and Clyde Bellecourt for criticism, saying the brothers have forgotten the movement's original purpose.
"They left a lot of people behind,"he said. "We must not leave the children behind."
The day began with participants digging a pit in the center of the Sun Dance circle. Crow Dog, who is leading the Sun Dance, then went in search of a cottonwood tree to plant in the pit.
After finding the tree, Crow Dog prayed near the tree with a group of dancers before cutting the tree down and carrying it to the Sun Dance circle. Dancers then attached black, red, yellow and white cotton prayer ties filled with tobacco to the tree before erecting it.
Tony Laravie, a 46-year-old Santee Sioux, prayed with a medicine pipe as the tree was cut down.
Laravie, who has spent the past 31 years in prison for second-degree murder, is serving as a ceremonial leader for the Sun Dance. He said Native culture and religion are important to Native prisoners.
Nebraska's Native prisoners, however, are only allowed 16 hours a month when they can participate in Native ceremonies. And that simply isn't enough, Laravie said.
"The continuation of the spiritual life reduces recidivism,"he said. "It becomes a way to reestablish (prisoners') spiritual connection and rebuild their lives."
The land where the Sun Dance is being held is owned by Gordon Polak, a 57-year-old historical re-enactor. He said he was first approached about holding the Sun Dance on his land by Bill Achord.
The Lincoln man frequented Polak's auto repair shop in Hallam before it was destroyed by a May tornado that ripped through the town.
"He thought it was nice land," Polak said. "I hope it's got good medicine in it."
Many of Polak's re-enactor friends attended the ceremony Saturday dressed in early 1800s mountain man clothing and riding donkeys.
Polak said he has already agreed to allow Achord to host the Sun Dance on his land for the next five years.
Said Tony Laravie: "This is a new beginning for what we hope will grow into something strong and beautiful."
Reach Kevin Abourezk at 473-7237 or kabourezk@;journalstar.com.
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