Shoonk

The Ho Cank (misnomer “Winnebago”) Indigenous Red “Indian” Nation from what is now called "Wisconsin" have a variety of spiritual ceremonies to celebrate life and show appreciation to Grand Mother Earth and Grand Father Sky and to give thanks for the existence of Indigenous Red People upon Great Turtle Island (the “western hemisphere”).

One such ceremony is the seasonal recognition and honor of “Sunk” (the sacred "dog", pronounced "Shoonk") and the four seasons of life. The ceremonial is called the “Sacred Puppy Ceremony”. In the “Sacred Puppy Ceremony”, a most carefully cared for newborn puppy is "sacrificed" in a special manner to and for all the people of the entire community in order to remind them of their life and living.

Sunk is the only animal to befriend human beings. Sunk watches over the children while playing, alerting them to rattle snakes, bear, and other natural beings that could possibly endanger the children. Sunk also provides security at night as humans sleep. The humility of Sunk is an important lesson for our own behavior. They are truly “two-legged’s best friend”.

For the “Sacred Puppy Ceremony”, a chosen dog’s life is taken in a certain manner by selected individuals. The puppy is carefully prepared and boiled in a “soup”, whereby all members of the community gather in a large circle to “eat” a tiny portion of the dog’s flesh. The elders speak to the children and share with them how all animals are sacred and are to be respected. The puppy traveling through the physical system of the human being as “spiritual food” affords humbleness to the “two-legged”, encouraging and allowing balance, peace, and harmony to be maintained within the community.

Great allies of the Ho Cank, the Ihanktunwan DaNakota ("Yankton Dakota Sioux"” Nation), who for millions of years lived across the Mississippi River from the Ho Cank in what is now referred to as “Iowa” and “Minnesota”, also practice the “Sacred Puppy Ceremony” in honor of this human care taker.

Plants, animals, birds, fish, insects, rocks – are all considered “superior life forms” to Indigenous Red Nations and Peoples. They are all equally sacred and holy. Although the “Sacred Puppy Ceremony” may seem strange or even “barbaric” to some non-Indigenous people, others can look to their own “religions” to find unique ceremonials. As example, the wheat plant used to make bread offerings which represent the human flesh of a man, and the grape plant spoiled to make religious wines mimicking an individual’s human blood are two examples of ‘rituals’ practiced in some churches.

Today, many Ho Cank and DaNakota fail to conduct this most sacred ceremony and as such, communities can often be divided and imbalanced.

It is important to understand Indigenous manners of living, so that these important exercises can take place to help human beings, who may in turn honor and protect Grand Mother Earth, instead of disrespecting and destroying the sacred Earth – and in effect their own ability to live upon her.