Discussion on the White Buffalo by Lakota Spiritual Leader, David Swallow

[outershell]

i saw that David Swallow's name came up in the news again.

OUACHITALK COMMUNICATOR

A Day of Hope on the Pine Ridge Reservation,
New Head Men Appointed: David Swallow, Harvey Iron Boy, and Eli Tail

At dusk on Sunday, September 2, 2007, a rare but hope-filled ceremony occurred in South Dakota. During this third day of the pow wow in the community of Porcupine on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota Reservation, three men were appointed Head Men of the Porcupine/Pahin Sinte District and, by extension, of the greater Lakota Nation.

These appointments were not for show. Head Man is a very serious position for each of these individuals, one which recognizes their lifetime of service as well as one which looks to them to continue to work and speak for the People in an ever-broadening spectrum.
........

[eap7]

She does kinda look like Rikki Lake!! LMAO

Dang, do I know how to screw up the flow of a thread, or what???

Dang I really don't see it LOL. Maybe I need to get a new pic...that one's a few years old. Then again maybe its good to look like all these celebrities!

[Lakota Wiyan]

She looks more like Rikki Lake.

She does kinda look like Rikki Lake!! LMAO

Dang, do I know how to screw up the flow of a thread, or what???

[they_drag_him]

waay off subject...but Erica...has anyone ever told you that you kinda look like Molly Shannon? LMAO...SUPASTAAAH!!!

She looks more like Rikki Lake.

[eap7]

No I've never been told that but maybe she'll be my next Halloween costume or something :)

[Lakota Wiyan]

I'd also like to echo Lakota Winyan's words that you shouldn't pay people for ceremonies, and also to caution you about this family. I know Tim Swallow, David's brother, and his family. They moved to Boston (where I am) about 5 or 6 years ago, after the brothers ran into trouble in California (where they were previously staying) for charging people for ceremonies there. It seems like this is a pattern. Although I'm not saying they are bad people, you should be cautious about dealing with them.

waay off subject...but Erica...has anyone ever told you that you kinda look like Molly Shannon? LMAO...SUPASTAAAH!!!

[Lakota Wiyan]

I think that donations, coming from the heart, and not solicited are very much appreciated and very appropriate. But when someone solicites money for themselves, or on behalf of another, in order to receive blessings, or wisdom, or advice, or ceremonies, kind of detracts from the whole spirit of it all. Giving someone money or gifts out of appreciation for their time and willingness to share is entirely different from what this guy was trying to do.

[outershell]

I'd also like to echo Lakota Winyan's words that you shouldn't pay people for ceremonies,....

now that I know.
(along with anone who calls themselves a medicine man, guru, savior, or expert .. isn't)

but i've also been taught that donations are often necessary.
most ceremonies do end up costing money to perform. the travel and the materials aren't always free and i've been taught that its polite to make a donation to cover these things.
its not the same thing as charging but i've seen ppl try using "they shouldn't charge money" as an excuse not to donate

[eap7]

I'd also like to echo Lakota Winyan's words that you shouldn't pay people for ceremonies, and also to caution you about this family. I know Tim Swallow, David's brother, and his family. They moved to Boston (where I am) about 5 or 6 years ago, after the brothers ran into trouble in California (where they were previously staying) for charging people for ceremonies there. It seems like this is a pattern. Although I'm not saying they are bad people, you should be cautious about dealing with them.

[outershell]

I remember driving through Porcupine and seeing alot of cops at the entrance to his sundance one time..which is just yards away from the road, for all to see. I asked my uncle, who was a cop, what happened and he said that they had to come and try to recover some firearms, and also to respond to elder complaints that there were wasicu people who PAID to sundance that week, who were drinking and raising cain with some of the Lakota people who were there. I remember what you said about him getting into trouble with the tribal council.

A few months ago, this same person who was trying to fundraise for this, contacted me and asked me to put it on my former website. I had to refuse because he told me that Mr. Swallow requested the solicitations himself.
.....

I wouldn't have known that. Thank you.
I'm gald i posted it then.

[Lakota Wiyan]

I doubt a sacred animal is a racist.

Also, I remember David Swallow getting into trouble - possibly being fined - by our tribal council back in the 1980s or early 1990s for selling ceremonies. Maybe he isn't the best choice to give a talk on these matters.

I remember driving through Porcupine and seeing alot of cops at the entrance to his sundance one time..which is just yards away from the road, for all to see. I asked my uncle, who was a cop, what happened and he said that they had to come and try to recover some firearms, and also to respond to elder complaints that there were wasicu people who PAID to sundance that week, who were drinking and raising cain with some of the Lakota people who were there. I remember what you said about him getting into trouble with the tribal council.

A few months ago, this same person who was trying to fundraise for this, contacted me and asked me to put it on my former website. I had to refuse because he told me that Mr. Swallow requested the solicitations himself.

People, if you read this, remember this: You shouldn't have to pay a Lakota, or any tribe, "holy man" for his knowledge or wisdom. He should NEVER solicite money, and should NEVER EVER require an "admission" fee, or any money to participate. If you HAVE to horn in on Native spirituality, at least go about it the proper and respectful way, otherwise, you NEVER know what you will actually be getting. Remember, you can't sue a spiritual person for bringing bad things upon you, and if you actually pay for a ceremony, you obviously have no idea what you are getting into, so they could do just about ANYTHING. If you are disrespectful to turn Native American spirituality into commercialized products, then you kind of deserve getting taken advantage of. Just dont try and cry foul afterwards.

[outershell]

i didn't mean to offend anyone with the first post. I just copied the info straight from the website.
I'm not actually asking for money or anything.
again- sorry

[under_the_white_wolf]

worthy cause?

I think not! I would rather put my donations into something more worthy such as cancer research or children's hospital. non profit organizations are transparent with their finances, who knows this money might be used to pay off a brand new 4x4 truck or pay for a night out at the local casino, looks fishy to me.

[Wojapi4Me]

No, but it is disrespectful if a white buffalo is touched by a wasicu.

I doubt a sacred animal is a racist.

Also, I remember David Swallow getting into trouble - possibly being fined - by our tribal council back in the 1980s or early 1990s for selling ceremonies. Maybe he isn't the best choice to give a talk on these matters.

[they_drag_him]

I am curious, is it considered disrespectful to photograph the white buffalo?

No, but it is disrespectful if a white buffalo is touched by a wasicu.