The MKP UK&I community are deeply grateful for the awareness raised by the Sioux Nation and have now removed Lakota-inspired rituals from what we do: we would like to support any broader educational efforts of SPIRIT and/or The Sioux Nation within the powers and purpose allowed by our founding documents and regulating authority.
MKP UK&I specifically acknowledge:
1. That we have used rituals and cultural elements derived from Lakota traditions which included a Purification & Renewal Ceremony (P&RC) closely based on the All-Nations ceremony.
2. During all trainings where the P&RC was conducted within UK&I, we complied with the strict protocol that we were always assured held appropriate permissions.
3. In October 2022, MKP UK&I became aware that multiple clear statements by the leaders of the Sioux Nation and other Tribes had been made requesting that their traditions not be used in this way within MKP. Upon understanding that the Leaders of the Sioux Nation do not support the continued use of their ceremonies MKP UK&I took immediately compliant actions including the removal of the P&RC, from all trainings and events.
4. We continue to evaluate, review and remove the use of all Lakota-derived rituals and favour making our own way with ceremony aligned with our own culture and heritage. We would welcome support from Spirit/Lakota in that journey.
5. Within the powers and purpose allowed by our founding documents and regulating authority UK&I would like to support any broader educational efforts of SPIRIT and/or the Sioux Nation to bring greater awareness of appropriation issues to the general public.
6. UK&I would be honoured to meet with the Sioux Nation with a view to being in Right Relation with the Sioux Nation
Report to MKP UK&I from Adrian Reid-Wolfe on his visit with Lakota (Oceti Sakowin)1st to 9th March 2024
I was invited by the Oceti Sakowin to visit their Tribal Lands where I met with various senior members of the Tribal Councils, the Spiritual Law group, Headmen and the Grandmothers as well as the council members of SPIRIT. My purpose was to have a deeper understanding of the requests brought to us (MKP) by that group and to receive their feedback on whether what MKP has been doing over the last year is going in the right direction toward addressing their concerns. Their requests are backed by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which was signed in 2007 by the majority of the members of the United Nations and then by the US in 2010.
There is unanimous agreement amongst all those with whom I met that non-natives should immediately stop using any and all forms (variations) of their Sacred Ceremonies. These include, amongst others:
the geometric shape of the lodge and how the poles are placed and tied;
the use of sacred Lakota herbs, such as sage, sweetgrass and tobacco;
the 'compass' direction of the lodge;
the inclusion of an altar and the placing of a 'ring of stars';
generally the design layout of 'stars, sun, moon, earth';
having direction poles and colours;
calling stones 'grandfathers' and 'greeting' and dedicating them;
such phrases as 'sending a voice', 'great mystery' and 'great spirit';
singing both Lakota and vocable songs (the latter is seen as the language of the spirits' and especially unacceptable);
calling in spirits and elements of Lakota heritage and tradition;
calling in 'directions' as in 'the spirit of the west, the bear' etc;
using such phrases as 'aho', 'this one' and 'I have spoken' as all these are seen as a mimicry of Lakota ways;
especially unacceptable is to call ourselves 'water pourers' and 'lodge keepers' as it is equivalent to saying we were, for instance, catholic priests, this is due to the years of training needed to become those in Lakota tradition.
