The Sacred Canunpa

[Go to the Pipestone Protection Bill]

The government outlaws the practice of white/non-Indigenous people owning and possessing the sacred Eagle Feathers; Feathers which the Indigenous Red “Indian” Nations and Peoples of Great Turtle Island (“western hemisphere”) are so thankful for and who use them in their daily lives and ceremonies to help their good, sincere thoughts and positive energies reach to all of Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky – where, in their great lives, the sacred Eagles have soared. The Sacred Feather lends an expression of appreciation for All That Is or “Wakan Tanka”, the “Great Mystery.”

Yet the abuse and selling of the most sacred Canunpa (Cannunpa; misnomer “peace pipe” or “pipe”) remains ignored and unregulated by federal officials. This irony most likely stems from the governments desire to keep hidden the Seven Sacred Ceremonies of the Canunpa and knowledge of Grand Mother Earth, versus the now prominent male-dominating “god” belief system columbus brought over recently in 1492.

The Canunpa was originally, and is still to this day, to be used only by qualified, selected individuals who then carry out the Seven Sacred Ceremonies of the Nakota (Nakota, DaNakota, Dakota, and Lakota) within their individual communities in order to keep balance, harmony and happiness the norm within Indigenous families, communities, bands and nations. It is a most difficult, time-consuming and dedicated duty.

The sacred “Canunpa” is carved out of wood and also from a small piece of the “Ih e Duta”, the Sacred Red Stone, a.k.a. “pipestone”, which is harvested only upon Ihanktunwan DaNakota Homelands, the area which is today known as “Pipestone, Minnesota.” It was gifted to the Nakota millions of years ago.

The quantity and quality of the Ih e Duta is in very limited supply and found only in this one single place in all the world, although there is a misconception that the stone is also found in Asia. The Ih e’ Duta of the Canunpa is in danger of extinction by human greed and through mining by the u.s. government and a few of its citizenry.

Recently, during the construction phase of their new building, the “National Museum of the American Indian” (scheduled to open September 2004) had to remove some of this most precious, rare, Sacred Red Stone which they had thoughtlessly placed into the floor of the museum lobby where countless numbers of dirty feet would have then been allowed to trample upon it, in direct contrast to the purported purpose of the museum.

It is against Nakota Natural Law, for example, to even use a constructed Canunpa just to hang over a “mantle” or other type of “display” purpose, or to make “jewelry” or other “trinkets” out of the special and Sacred Red Stone, let alone walk thoughtlessly upon it. This fact, and most inconsiderate “bright idea”, evidently escaped the grasp of those in charge of the National Museum design layout. Fortunately, the blunder was realized ahead of time.

Further exploitation through excessive mining of the Sacred Red Stone must be prevented at all cost while mass production for purposes of selling, trinketry and all forms of “jewelry-making” must stop immediately. In honor of Indigenous peoples, we urge Americans to contact their congress people who claim to “help Indians” and pressure them to introduce HR 1851C into congress for their approval and passage. This will show the true intentions of those politicians currently flooding Indigenous “Pow-wows” trying to buy votes but maintain the status quo – the continued theft/occupation of Indigenous coal, timber, and gold, while Lakota rights remain ignored and the people impoverished.

It must be demanded that congress and the president adopt a pertinent law as to the above, in which exploitation and use of the Canunpa for anything other than its intended and original purpose will be a crime punishable under u.s. law.

Scott C. Barta
DaNakota Nation
1851Treaty.com

(An internet petition regarding this issue, signed by such people as Canunpa Caretaker and Spiritual Advisor, Arvol Looking Horse, and Author, Historian, and Indigenous Spiritual Caretaker, Vine Deloria, Jr., can be viewed at: http://www.petitiononline.com/wakan/petition.html.

The “Pipestone Protection Bill”, which all concerned should copy and take to their congressional representative(s) and demand they introduce a.s.a.p. can be viewed below or at: http://www.peaceforallnations.com/canunpa.htm

HR 1851C
THE “PIPESTONE PROTECTION BILL”

To adopt a law which prevents any and all exploitation and use of the Nakota and Indigenous Red “Indian” Nation’s sacred “Ih e Duta” (English translation “Pipestone”), the spiritual, Sacred Red Stone which makes up the stone, rock “bowl” portion of the Sacred Canunpa (Cannunpa; misnomer “peace pipe”) of the Nakota Nation, for anything other than its intended use, and to prevent non-Indigenous, non-“Indian” peoples from harvesting and possessing the sacred Indigenous Red Stone known as “Pipestone.”

Be it enacted by the U.S. congress,

SECTION 1, PURPOSES.

The purposes of this act are to - -

(1) adopt a law which prevents any and all exploitation and use of the Nakota and Indigenous Red “Indian” Nation’s sacred “Ih e Duta” (English translation “Pipestone”), the spiritual, Sacred Red Stone which makes up the stone, rock “bowl” portion of the Sacred Canunpa (misnomer “peace pipe”) of the Nakota Nation, for anything other than its original intended use.

(2) prevent non-Indigenous, non-“Indian” peoples from harvesting and possessing the sacred Indigenous Red Stone known as “Pipestone.”

(3) develop and enhance positive relationships between the United States and Indigenous Red “Indian” Nations and Peoples with respect to inherent Indigenous spirituality (more appropriate than “religious”) rights and freedoms, as regards to spiritual implements and articles and items concerning.

SECTION 2. STATEMENT OF CONGRESS

(a) The congress recognizes that the territories currently referred to as the “United States of America” are the Indigenous aboriginal homelands of Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples who, despite diminished numbers, continue to remain a living, breathing people upon Great Turtle Island, the “western hemisphere”.

(b) The congress recognizes that since the year 1776, the United States has often violated the rights of Indigenous Red Peoples and failed to honor both legal and moral laws and that this practice must cease; American’s should not feel guilty but should instead live up to their own laws and do what is morally and legally responsible and correct.

(c) The congress recognizes that the sacred Nakota “Canunpa” (misnomer “peace pipe” or “pipe”) is made out of wood and also from a small piece of the “Ih e’ Duta” Sacred Red Stone, a.k.a. “pipestone”, which is harvested only upon Ihanktunwan DaNakota Homelands, the area which is today known as “Pipestone, Minnesota.”

(d) The congress recognizes that this most Sacred Red Stone is in very limited supply and found only in this one single place in all the world, although there is a misconception that the stone is also found in Asia.

(e) The congress recognizes that the Sacred Red Stone of the Canunpa is in danger of extinction by greed and mining by the u.s. government and a few of its citizenry. It is against Nakota Natural Law, for example, to use a constructed Canunpa just to hang over a “mantle” or other type of “display” purpose, or to make “jewelry” or other “trinkets” out of the special and Sacred Red Stone

(f) The congress recognizes that this rare, sacred rock was gifted through dream vision to the Nakota People and is solely for the purpose of constructing the sacred Canunpa only, which directs the Seven Sacred Canunpa Ceremonies (sometimes referred to as the Seven Sacred Rites).

(g) The congress recognizes that the Canunpa is only to be cared for by a very few qualified Nakota and Indigenous caretakers, who are selected by their communities and who must conduct each of the Seven Sacred Canunpa Ceremonies within their communities throughout the year – a most difficult, time-consuming, and dedicated duty.

(h) The congress respects and recognizes that the Seven Sacred Canunpa Ceremonies come directly from a spiritual dream vision of a Nakota person many millions of years ago. The ceremonies were received and are conducted in order to maintain balance and happiness within Indigenous Nakota communities through a series of “thanksgiving /appreciation” ceremonial exercises; that what the Canunpa represents, male and female balance, is evident once the bowl and stem are placed together (contrary to male-dominating religious misconceptions creating imbalance and denying Grand Mother Earth and respect for nature, land and resources).

(i) The congress recognizes that exploitation through excessive mining and mass production for purposes of selling, trinket-making and all forms of “jewelry-making” of the Sacred Red Stone be immediately stopped and prevented.

(j) The congress recognizes that it is necessary to adopt a law as to above and that exploitation and use of the Canunpa for anything other than its original intended use be against the law.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this act:

(1) The term “Indigenous Person” replaces the misnomers “Native American” and “American Indian”.

(2) The term “THE “PIPESTONE PROTECTION BILL”” shall refer to the bill prohibiting possession, use or exploitation by anyone other than Indigenous Red “Indian” Peoples.

TITLE 1 – THE “PIPESTONE PROTECTION BILL”

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the THE “PIPESTONE PROTECTION BILL”.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

The congress finds the following:

(1) The congress recognizes that exploitation through excessive mining and mass production for purposes of selling, trinket-making and all forms of “jewelry-making” of the Sacred Red Stone be immediately stopped and prevented.

(2) The congress recognizes that it is necessary to adopt a law as to above and that exploitation and use of the Canunpa for anything other than its original, intended use and purpose be against the law.