June 2007: Even though this Council Circle took place seven years ago, the issues that were discussed are still not resolved. The bad stone is still being sold, Indian people still believe that the Pipestone stone is being exploited and that the Pipestone Dakota are making money on the stone.

IF ONLY THE PEOPLE SAYING THESE THINGS WOULD COME AND TRY TO QUARRY THEMSELVES, IF ONLY THEY WOULD LISTEN INSTEAD OF BEING SO BLINKERED, IF ONLY THEY WOULD GET IT THAT THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF STONE COMING FROM 2 DIFFERENT TOWNS. THE NATIONAL MONUMENT QUARRIES, THE SACRED QUARRIES, ARE IN PIPESTONE, THE FALSE STONE COMES FROM QUARRIES IN JASPER. IT IS THE JASPER STONE THAT IS BEING SOLD IN TRUCK LOADS NOT THE PIPESTONE STONE.

If you are one of the people who believe that we are exploiting the stone we invite you to contact us and we will make arrangements with you to come here and see the different quarries, feel the 2 stones, try and cut the jasper stone, and come and quarry for a few days to realize what we are saying is true. We will give you a place to set up a tent, or a bed inside the Center, and we will supply your food all you will have to do is get here. Do please consider the offer. It is the only thing we can think of to convince you that what we say is true.

Exploration of Spiritual Views Council Circle

The first weekend in June 2000, the Little Feather had visitors for an 'Exploration of Spiritual Views Circle'. Invitations to attend a portion of it on Monday afternoon were sent out to specific people in town, but sadly only a few turned up. The Pipestone Dakota Community assisted the Little Feather in feeding the guests and serving them.

Joining Chuck and Gloria at the Little Feather Center were:

Elders:
Elaine Quiver; Sicangu Lakota, who was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation but now lives on Pine Ridge. She travels extensively nationally and internationally to deal with Treaty issues and the care of children. She has spoken at the UN, has been the Director of the Pine Ridge Foster Grandparents program for 20 years, and is a member of the Grey Eagle Society. Well known, respected by her own and other tribes for her knowledge of treaty law, history and culture. Representing the elders of many plains tribes (Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Commanche, Apache, and Lakota) who asked her to attend the Circle for them because they couldn't.

Joe Swift Bird; Pine Ridge, Lakota, former Oglala Sioux Tribe Police Chief , now Co-chair of the Pine Ridge Grey Eagle Society. Elected by the young people of Pine Ridge to attend the Circle to represent them.

Alice Swift Bird; Pine Ridge, Lakota, Member Grey Eagle Society. Representing the Grandmothers of Pine Ridge.

Charlie Quiver; Pine Ridge, Lakota, Member of Grey Eagle Society. Representing the Grandfathers of Pine Ridge.

Harry Charger; Cheyenne River Reservation, Lakota, Spiritual Leader, Sun Dance Intercessor, teacher.

Clyde Bellecourt; Formerly White Earth reservation, now lives in Minneapolis. Ojibway, American Indian Movement leader, who has been at many confrontations for Native American rights. Sun Dancer, and Sundance leader.

Bear; Formerly Wind River Reservation, now lives in Minneapolis. Arapaho, American Indian Movement, Sundancer in Pipestone for 10 years, Warrior Society.

Youth:
Allen Sheppard Jr. Dakota, Upper Sioux Reservation. American Indian Movement.

Rain; Cheyenne River, Lakota.

Tina Morgan, Minneapolis, American Indian Movement

David Wilson Jr, Minneapolis, Dakota, American Indian Movement.

Other Native Americans Attending:

David Wilson, Minneapolis, Dakota, American Indian Movement

Terry Alex, Minneapolis, Lakota, American Indian Movement

Jim Anderson, Cedar MN, Dakota.

Glen Livermont (Joined the group for part of the public portion of the Circle)

Non-native guests:

Jim Kent; writer and reporter for Indian Country Today, News from Indian Country and various other Native American publications.

Wil Kent; writer and Jim's wife.

Elizabeth McCabe, Pipestone County Museum,

Chuck Draper, Publisher Pipestone County Star, (Joined the group for a Pipe ceremony)

Mark Fode; Reporter for the Pipestone County Star. (Joined the group for the public portion of the Circle.)

Pipestone Dakota Community members attending:

Maddie Redwing, Alice Erickson, Carol Derby, Ray Redwing, Trevor Erickson, Denise Parsons, Mark Pederson,

Thanks to: Julie Erickson, Denise Parsons, Cindy Pederson, Maddie Redwing for supplying food, and Carol Derby for helping with the serving.

A report of the weekend is below

Thanks to all those who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend. We know that this will help to relieve the tensions about these issues in Indian Country. Communication is always good. This was excellent.

If you would like to be informed of future forums such as this please send us an e-mail, either using the form or e-mail addy, and we will put you on a list.
You will find Chucks answers to some of these issues on the pages of this site. Pipestone turning bad, and selling of the pipestone

The Circle began on Sunday evening with storytelling by Joe Swift Bird. We all sat around like children listening to our Grandfather tell tales of old. We laughed, we became sad, and we were enthralled. He spoke of many things, his childhood, his family, the time when he was one of four people to swim from a boat to Alcatraz for the first Indian take-over of the island. Some of the incidents we knew about, some were alien to us, but we learned.

Monday morning began early with a communial breakfast at the Center, while we ate we listened to the Elders joking with each other. We then went into the first portion of the day which was again historic views and stories of the old times. We learned about the Sundance which used to be put on, and why a man would only participate in one Sundance during his lifetime. We heard about the Calf Pipe, and about the pipes of old, and how the people revered the pipe. We listened as Elaine told us of a visit she made to see the Calf Pipe at Greengrass, and how she felt going there.

The next portion was to watch a video that the elders wanted to review. From there the whole group went to the Pipestone National Monument to see the ancient quarries. Chuck interpreted them and described how he as a quarrier extracts the stone. Elaine told of stories her Grandma told her about the stone and the quarries, and how they made more sense to her after seeing the quarries.

After lunch at the Center, Ceremony was performed, and then the public portion began with a Pipe ceremony led by Harry Charger. Also adding their prayers to the Pipe were Elaine Quiver, Alice Swift Bird, Clyde Bellecourt and Chuck Derby. The pipe was then smoked by all the people present.

The main discussion portion of the program then started, and lasted much longer than had been anticipated. It continued during supper. Later there was a sweat and a feast and everyone left for their homes with full minds and bodies.

Many of the concerns heard during the 2 day Circle were of the pipestone turning bad, the depletion of the stone, the selling of the pipe, the big pipe which has been erected in town, the Sundance tree being desecrated and the Sundancers' blood being sold.

Chuck offered explainations about the stone issues and the selling of the pipe, but could offer no explainations for the other issues, as they were not under the Original Pipestone Dakota Communities control.

Resolutions will be drawn up by the Grey Eagle Society, and inquiries will be held by AIM.

More Circles will be taking place and those attending this one will take the words back to their tribal councils and those they represented.