Chief Arvol Looking Horse, statement on Sweat Deaths in Arizona

[Skabewis]

Arvol Looking Horse is from the Lakota Nation

As Keeper of our Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, I am concerned for the 2 deaths and illnesses of the many people that participated in a sweat lodge in Sedona, Arizona that brought our sacred rite under fire in the news. I would like to clarify that this lodge and many others, are not our ceremonial way of life, because of the way they are being conducted. My prayers go out for their families and loved ones for their loss.

Our ceremonies are about life and healing, from the time this ancient ceremonial rite was given to our people, never has death been a part of our inikag'a (life within) when conducted properly. Today the rite is interpreted as a sweat lodge, it is much more then that. So the term does not fit our real meaning of purification.

Read Rest of Statement

[Lakota_winyan]

It is sad that it had to take loss of life, maybe a lesson will be learned from this that this does not belong to them as their gift. There are sacred songs on the internet and other resort places also offer the spa, sauna or sweat lodge as part of their package deal. I agree with everything that was said...it is for healing not monetary gain or fame. Then the guy just leaves for cali to profit from these people. Sounds more like a cult thing where he is blindly leading some people who are maybe looking for a miracle?

[Josiah]

I read the article online this evening on cnn's website. I got the impression the people involved were like a self help group. Just goes to show if you dont know what your doing people are going to get hurt or worse yet die!!