Author Topic: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder  (Read 80809 times)

Offline Ganieda

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Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« on: November 22, 2005, 07:56:31 am »
Some more info you might like to file with other stuff on this guy.....pieces and bits that might help.  

A Letter written to KFI radio station
December 5, 2004
[snip]
I sincerely know that Bennie LeBeau have a lot to offer to your listeners and it would be an interesting segment for your talk show. Please check the following websites for more information and details.

Bennie LeBeau contact information is as follows:
Cell Number: (307) 851-6249
E-Mail Address: Bzahants@yahoo.com

contact Blue Thunder at tetonrainbows@yahoo.com or call (307) 851-6249.

Please send your tax-deductible donation/check(s) payable to our Non-Profit 501c(3) organization at:
Native Voices Foundation
153 Western Avenue
Glendale, CA  91201

Websites:
www.teton-rainbows.com
www.shrinesandsacredsites.com
www.nativevoices.org

http://www.teton-rainbows.com/kfi_letter.html

Bennie E. LeBeau, Sr. is an enrolled tribal member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wind River Indian Reservation, Fort Washakie, Wyoming and is a spiritual leader and advisor.  He is an Earth Healer, Sundance Leader and a member of the Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth and is a Seed Carrier of the Eagle and Condor Prophecies. He has many years of experience in indigenous tradition and culture with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.  Encouraged by tribal elders, he studied Cultural Anthropology and Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University.  Studying methods of communication at NAU, which now has allowed Mr. LeBeau to speak from a truly Native American perspective. An indigenous viewpoint of what needs changed in the educational institutional classrooms across America and the world.

Mr. LeBeau is a member of the Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth (www.spiritualelders.org), an organization of indigenous prophecy carriers of North America.

To donate, please click here:

...or send your check to:
Bennie E. LeBeau Sr.
2331 Oak Lane
Riverton, Wyoming  82501
phone:  (307) 851-6249
email:   bzahants@yahoo.com  

Bennie LeBeau,
Eastern Shoshone,
Wind River Shoshone,
South Laguna Beach, California.

OPPORTUNTIES TO SUPPORT
Blue Thunder has been doing some extensive traveling around Southern California, primarily around the Big Bear Lake area. Right now he is working at Big Bear Lake to prepare the area for the Spring of 2006.

He needs all of your help in order to be able to continue performing the earth-healing ceremonies in the areas which need them so much! Any contributions are very much appreciated.

You can call him at (307) 851-6249, or contact his Big Bear area Ambassador, Gina Weiss, at (909) 585-7228
 
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/contact.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other names associated with, quoted by, or linked to this person:

VHS videotapes of the training are available for $ 20 including shipping.  
Make checks payable to Gina Weiss, and mail to:
P. O. Box 1641
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315  
Gina will send them out next-day mail
Please contact Gina Weiss if you have further questions about the VHS:
(909) 585-7228 or email: ginaweiss@charter.net

pic at: http://www.teton-rainbows.com/prophets_conf.html

Gina Weiss, Mary Norris and Bennie LeBeau thank all those who attended, and those who sent good thoughts our way!
 http://www.teton-rainbows.com/big_bear_class.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dane Larsen, Tsalagi, Anigotegewi Clan
Elder on Council, Ywahoo Lineage
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
White Eagle Star
Clan Mother of the Firebird Tribe
A Solar Astrogenist
Sun dancer & Pipe Carrier
Visionary
An Anglo-Native Medicine & Spiritual Leader Woman
International Lecture
Spiritual Author
A Wisdom Keeper, Peace Elder & a Rainbow Warrior of the Great Spirit
A Registered Nurse
Complementary Therapist
Healing and Teaching Centre called the Firebird Medicine Lodge.
http://www.redwoods.law.new.net/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...cont'd
*May the Sun warm your Heart, The Moon light your Path and Sacred Mother Earth embrace and protect you always.*

Offline Ganieda

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  • Chaos, panic and disorder, my work here is done.
Re: ? Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2005, 07:57:02 am »
...continuation...

Leon Secatero - Navajo
With Leon Secatero of the Canoncito Navajo, a Grandelder for the Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth, and Red Eagle from the Cherokee Nation, Bennie visited with the traditional keepers of Turquoise Mountain: Navajo Grandfather Martin Martinez and his wife, Grandmother Janíce.
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/story_1.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carol Petersen-Perez "Elk Looks Back"
http://www.stargrail.net/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Mary and Esther,
Ambassadors for the Southwestern Spoke
and see pics at: http://www.teton-rainbows.com/aliso_equinox.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stories and Messages for 2005
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/stories.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Ian Xel Lungold,
12 Ahau, Bearer of the Codex
ian@mayanmajix.com
http://www.mayanmajix.com/4dn1p.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Simon Hunt
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/hopi_elders.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steven McFadden
A native of New England, Steven McFadden now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he works as a writer, a teacher, a counselor, and a healer.

Steven is the author of hundreds of magazine articles, and eight non-fiction books, including: Legend of the Rainbow Warriors; Profiles in Wisdom: Native Elders Speak About the Earth; The Little Book of Native American Wisdom; Teach Us To Number Our Days; and Farms of Tomorrow Revisited.
[snip]
http://www.chiron-communications.com/stevenbio.html

http://www.chiron-communications.com/books.html

Rates
Natal chart analysis (including discussion of relevant transits and progressions) $140.00. You may pay online with a credit card or debit card using the safe and secure PayPal system,or by sending a check. To do so, just click on the link below:

Hourly rate for consultation (after initial session) $80.00. To pay for a one-hour consultation with a credit card or ATM card, just click on the safe and secure PayPal logo below:

send e-mail to Steven at Chiron@chiron-communications.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ‘Protection’ of Ceremonies
Jim Ewing (Blueskywaters/Long White Eagle)
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/letter_protection.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Prophecy Keeper" by Karen Lake sung by Bunny Sings Wolf

All vocals, Native Flute, Acoustic guitar, native heartbeat drum and Harmonies are done by Bunny Sings Wolf in a genre all her own, recently dubbed by a Rapid City reviewer as "Lakota-inflective Folk music."

includes music clips.....
http://www.prophecykeepers.com/prophecy_keeper_song.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grandfather Marcellus "Bearheart" Williams and Regina Waterspirit Williams
http://www.prophecykeepers.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I HEREBY CHALLENGE THE ELDERS
Posted by Darrel Whitewolf
Date: Monday, 24 May 2004, 8:16 a.m.

I Darrel Whitewolf, elder of Cherokee decent, with this powerful message, hereby challenge the elders of all native nations. I hereby petition for the immidiate release of sacred information to all humanity oncerned for the immediate future of their families and loved ones.
[snip]
I do not hide. My e-mail is posted below for those who wish to respond.
That is all I have too say
http://www.teton-rainbows.com/letter_whitewolf.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grand Teton Medicine Wheel Project - Bennie LeBeau - and the Sacred Heart of the Rose Sundance
http://www.shrinesandsacredsites.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roger Nelson  
http://www.shrinesandsacredsites.com/
-------------------------------
Achim's Medicine Wheel Site
http://www.kochkyborg.de/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heart of the Rose Sundance Ceremony

Men Sponsors:
Bennie LeBeau: 307 851-6249 or E-Mail to Bennie LeBeau
Robert Dude Perry: 208 776-5083, cell 208 244-1020

Women Sponsors:
Jola LeBeau: 307 335-7577
Laverne Beech: 208 478-4227

http://www.teton-rainbows.com/sundance_1.html
*May the Sun warm your Heart, The Moon light your Path and Sacred Mother Earth embrace and protect you always.*

Offline educatedindian

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Re:  Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2005, 06:47:43 pm »
Thanks. This confirms the worst suspicions about him, seeing him work with many confirmed frauds:

Dane Larsen, one of Fisher/Yawahoo's disciples.
"Ian Xel Lungold" pseudo-Mayan.
Steve McFadden, more of a promoter of frauds than one himself.
Plus another "rainbow warrior" wannabe.
And Darrel Whitewolf, an alleged Cherokee living in Australia.
I'm moving this to Frauds. More research needs to be done on the others.

Offline Tsisqua

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Bennie LeBeau AKA Blue Thunder
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2008, 09:18:10 pm »
I received this earlier.....

Posted by Sandie: This man goes by Blue Thunder or Bennie LeBeau and claims to be a member of the Eastern Shoshone Band out of Wind River. He's not a member. He's lying and he's selling ceremony and no one on the rez backs him up......that' s why he's over here running his scam in the east........those in the east need to be warned about this fraud.

I looked him up on Google and came up with this:

Bennie E LeBeau, Sr., Elder, spiritual leader and advisor, is an enrolled tribal member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wind River Indian Reservation, Ft Washakie, Wyoming. He has many years of experience in indigenous tradition and culture with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. Through the encouragement of his tribal elders, he studied Cultural Anthropology and Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University, located in Flagstaff, AZ. Studying methods of communication at NAU, which now has allowed Mr. LeBeau to speak from a truly Native American perspective. An indigenous viewpoint of what needs changed in the educational institutional classrooms across America and the world.
 
   
 
 
Mr. LeBeau is a member of the Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth, an organization of indigenous prophecy seed carriers of North America [http://www.spiritualelders.org]. In this capacity, he helps educate Indigenous Nations and other cultures on the significance of sacred sites and the indigenous prophecies. His present emphasis is: To inform all cultures of the importance of protecting and preserving all indigenous sacred sites within the United States of American and across the world.
To educated of the great significance of sacred rock art sites as sacred sites across the America's and the world to those who need help interpreting the landscapes of these sacred sites. And, to stress the importance of the language written within stone in the many Garden of Eden's (the original homelands of Indigenous Nations) that are currently and rapidly disappearing around the world due to uncontrolled land development.

Native American rock art sites, as well as other sites around the world provide a tremendous amount of important knowledge and wisdom, which can be combined and re-taught to other traditions and cultures of the world. The wisdom given in dreamtime to Mr. LeBeau and by many Elders of the Shoshone and other Indigenous Nations has given him the tools and a foundation that allow him to interpret many rock art texts and the pictures written in stone [petroglyphs- rock art]. These rock art images explain historical events that have happened in the past, can happen in the present or are about to happen in the future. Additionally, medicine people [shamans, priests, priestesses, knowledgeable men/women] find important ceremonial explanations in ancient rock art.  These sacred sites help us to re-member ancient healing ceremonies on Mother Earth and of the universe for 'all things' that have been lost through the ages. Existing in together for what has happened in the past still exits today by our actions in the present as we carry negative aspect of history forward.  This means we can heal all that has happened for the future in purity, with integrity, love, peace and trust for all nations for the future.

Mr. LeBeau believes there is a great need to undertake a thoughtful visionary look at all sacred sites as part of a spiritual learning experience to regain harmony, not only for oneself but also for all things that we have a relationship with on Mother Earth working bring her back into harmony. Bring back the rain, snow and springs for all of creation in purity. There is a need for wisdom of the tangible and intangible spiritual aspects of all life on our mother, the Earth. Our true mother the earth gives us life as our Father within the Central Sun as the creator. The Universe is creation itself known as the mysterious one to everyone across this planet. The Truth has been written in the stone writing our original instructions of great visions of the past, moving into the future that is present now.  Also taught in the Indigenous Nations of the America's Creation Stories is what is written in the Rock Art across the world, the sacred sites. It's direction for mankind tells us how to stay in balance and in harmony with nature and all conscious life upon our sacred Mother the Earth.  Working with the universal laws, nature's laws and not man made laws which has deharmonized the harmony that once resided on the surface of Mother Earth.  Now is the time in re-educating and asking for this consideration of the Earth Wisdom for the many cultures of the world. 
 
 
 
Bennie “BlueThunder??? LeBeau
Eastern Shoshone, Wind River Indian Reservation
Fort Washakie, Wyoming
Email:  tetonrainbows@yahoo.com
Phone:  307 851-6249 cell, 307 857-6856


Websites:
www.teton-rainbows.com
www.viisionslifeforcefoundation.com
www.earthwisdomfoundation.com
 
 
There are no leaders in Unity

Offline debbieredbear

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2008, 02:10:20 am »
A relative of mine, who knows Bennie, says he does have heritage from Wind River Shoshones. Said she was unsure if he was enrolled or not, but his sister IS enrolled.

Offline 180IQ

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2009, 07:25:19 pm »
I just received a lengthy rebuttal on LeBeau from a Marcine Quenzer, full of fluffy talk and pics. I told her to send it to Al. He may well be enrolled Shoshone but that alone wouldn't mean he isn't a sellout. Wondering what will come of this...


Offline educatedindian

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2009, 02:44:14 am »
Yes, I read and actually felt pretty sad afterwards. A long letter by an older white woman convinced he is "the real deal" as she kept repeating. She claims he doesn't ask for money but does take "love offerings" and that she basically gave him every cent she could when Lebeau "downloaded" on her.

The photos are something else. If Lebeau is actually Shoshone, he might be of very low BQ. I had a hard time picking him out of the photos from all the white followers standing around him. The good news is that his following seems to be pretty small. No more than 8 or 10 people in any photo.

Other strange things:
Claiming they visited a "Brazilian temple in California."
A ceremony that has a pretty mangled version of Iroquois Longhouse traditions mixed with making a medicine wheel.
Numerology and Hindu beliefs abut chakras mixed into what he teaches.

I don't remember being so sad after reading a letter for a long time. This woman believes that Lebeau and co can cure her daughter of emphysema and other diseases. She has devoted most of her time and money to him for two years. I believe Lebeau spotted her as extremely vulnerable because he told her upon meeting "You are the one I am here to meet." That's much like the tactic many other dubious characters use, eg Twyla Nitsche.

Quenzer is a white artist doing Native themed art. Her site has her dressed as NDN and her bio shows that to be a lifelong...hobby? Practice?
http://www.marcinequenzer.com/

Others Lebeau worked with that need more research:
Ono-nahtse-gowa
Dawn Hancock
Andree Morgana

Anyway, Quenzer had no light to shed on if he's actually Shoshone or not.

Offline 180IQ

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2009, 11:12:35 am »

I received this message via email (errors left intact):



----- Original Message -----
From: Bennie LeBeau
To: admin @ newagefraud.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 10:15 PM
Subject: BlueThunder Speaks of Peace....


Greetings my Fellow Brothers and Sisters of New Age Fraud...

I pray that our Many Indigenous Nations walk in peace and over come the prejudices and judgments at hand.  Many of our teachings of our Indigenous Nations teach to pray for those that we do not get along with or disagree with and if we can not say something good about one another, we were not to do that at all.  And if we did we would teach each other resentment, pain, anguish, anger, and hatred in gossiping and untruths would occur and then we would cause much unrest within the lands...I send this message and do not hold anyone in anger in my heart or thoughts for all that is teaches what to do or not to do...2012 is coming fast and healing is our top priority for many individuals and groups in all Nations...

I am a younger elder of my Eastern Shoshone Nation in Wyoming, 59 this year and am an enrolled member being born on my homelands on the Wind River.  I have many elders older than I am who agree with me and others that do not.  I have never called myself a medicine man of my people and others have in writings and that is there choice, I have no control over the media and those who write information on their websites, newspapers and news reports on the radio. Many have done these things without my approval. 

I speak from my heart and deliver this message in good faith, speaking my truth.  Our thoughts are power and thoughts hurt Mother Earth Environments, the Winds, Water, Soils and Fire are in pain for the words of negativity or gentleness in positivity enter into all that is within creation creating what we say and do.  Many wonder where the Tornado's, Floods, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes, and fires are made from and I ask them to open their heart to the wisdom and knowledge each and everyone carries and to remember what this mean, . May peace flow with all that is in our words and actions upon Mother Earth, May the Great Spirit and Mother Earth Continue to Bless Us All ...

I send this message in Great Faith, I am not upset with any individual, individuals or groups for if I do then I hurt all of creation around me and I practice my way of my Ancestors and not to hurt Mother Earth's Creation with negativity.

I speak from my heart for All Our Nations of Mother Earth to Honor Each Other For We Are All Related in Peace for We Shall Inherit the Right to Be on the New Earth Arriving Soon, for those who move forward in peace, love and harmony honoring each other for each other. Aho..I BlueThunder have Spoken From my Heart...Aho!!!

BlueThunder, Eastern Shoshone, Wind River Indian Reservation, Fort Washakie, Wyoming, January 28th, 2009

Message Given on 4th October 2008 From the Holy Ones – Spoken Truth

We work through many, peace walks nowhere on soils across many oceans.  Each Nation across the world places the heart in the hands of the words written back through time. 

Wait for the right people to arise from smoke taken within, and all loses, eyes closed to the new ones who step forth amongst races and cultures across ancient lands, future existence will begin to change if you wake the heart from within the body.  Mind controls what can be seen, if the veil is lifted the light shines once more with the gift of sight for each of you.

Man, woman grows weak from within. The child lives through those who challenge many words given, each child will shine the light of nothing if nothing changes.  Many words known to our hearts, songs are sung through prayers of ancient Keepers, those words sung, we listen to.  We bring the gift of courage to those whose eyes begin to open wide.  The lands carry the pain of many fallen upon, within, courage of commitment bears the hands of openness; Judgment shown within all Nations upon which many words spoken with anger, brings forward the light of darkness. 

Each child embraces the light of innocence.  Teach those of tomorrow the ways through the deceit and deception of mankind. Challenge not those words of judgement, peace within will bear the strength of many. Those who walk amongst the Angels of Darkness, growth will become full of emptiness.   Share with every color of every Nation the joys of peace, balance and harmony, those who share words of ancient mouths with only the ones of own color and culture break the balance of tomorrow.  Nothing shared will bring the gain of nothingness. 

Many old ones still carry the Shields of Sacredness deep within the heart, each shield carried through time releases pureness of Ancient Ones beliefs.  Now is the time to awaken those words carried deep within the many shields of The Holy Ones.  Each step through time changes through man’s growth.  Wisdom Carriers need now the growth of the people who walk upon Mother Earth’s skin will arise to carry together the light of truth and glory for the child that grows within and upon the soils of our Mother’s flesh.

Many ways are encircled by the sacredness of what was. Many broken arrows fallen upon lands upon, within the open wounds of those fallen arrows still remain.  Each one who walks upon many lands, wish to change the way mankind’s angers have achieved the imbalance brought to Mother Earth’s beating heart.  Each one carries forward many great visions of the heart and soul, Keepers of today need to bring forth the hoop of forgiveness.  The truth will shine over all lands across all Nations of the world of today once teachings of many cultures are opened to those who wish to gain the knowledge and understanding of what has been carried forward through time.

Peace lies deep within the hearts of everyone, whether angers, destruction or misunderstandings shadow the truth.  Before time exists no more, open the hand, release the heart, cleanse the soul walk free once more upon the soils of your lands.  Realization of what has been written from then, now and what is to come will bring forward the growth of new beginnings. Shine with brightness the torch of life that burns deep within all living, breathing creations. Speak only words understood, speak the truth for the truth is the strength of oneness.


Message Receive from the Holy Ones In Spirit


 


Offline debbieredbear

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #8 on: March 13, 2011, 12:29:12 am »
And he is at it again:

http://www.earthwisdomfoundation.net/Home_Page.html

Quote
Join us in Co-creating with Blue Thunder, an Eastern Shoshone Wisdom Keeper, in the Pacific Northwest Medicine Wheel to heal the water, Mother Earth and ourselves.  This will be a 3 day ceremony centering in Olympia and 8 other points spanning 200 miles across Western Washington. 

I seriously hate that nuage term "co-creating"!

Oh, and they have facebook too.

Epiphany

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2011, 03:59:50 pm »
Bennie and followers are doing various events throughout the Pacific Northwest, their Olympia visits especially drew protest. http://www.olyblog.net/native-student-alliance-releases-statement-regards-medicine-wheel-ceremony We have an ongoing collection of info on Bennie's group and related issues here: http://www.olyblog.net/pnw-medicine-wheel-ceremony

Olympia unfortunately is ripe recruiting grounds - lots of college students, people in transition who are seeking "truths", and also lots of new age and neopagan folks who don't know better.


Offline educatedindian

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2011, 04:17:29 pm »
Thanks for the links and good to know people are standing up to Lebeau and co. These are really well written/spoken words. If you don't mind I'm going to repost them here.

---------

http://www.olyblog.net/native-student-alliance-releases-statement-regards-medicine-wheel-ceremony

Native Student Alliance Releases Statement in Regards to "Medicine Wheel Ceremony"
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 10:27am — listening THE NATIVE STUDENT ALLIANCE OF THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE AND OUR STANCE ON THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MEDICINE WHEEL CEREMONY

 Who is NSA? The Native Student Alliance creates solidarity among Native peoples from all nations while providing a network of support for its members, who are both students and non-students. The NSA dedicates itself to allying with non-Native peoples and to further the cross-cultural understandings in order to provide a safe and respectful environment.

What is our stance on the PNW Medicine Wheel Ceremony and its Organizers?

Recently there has been a large wave of support for the PNW Medicine Wheel Ceremony in the Evergreen and greater Olympia communities. The NSA’s encounters with its figurehead, Bennie “Blue Thunder” LeBeau, his co-sponsors, and supporters have been dismissive and their actions continue to be disrespectful. NSA does not approve of the upcoming ceremony for the following reasons:

It is allegedly a Native-themed event but is a distortion of authentic Native practices.

Its lead organizer “Blue Thunder” has admitted to not being respected by Native Communities; he is suspected of being fraudulent and illegitimate.
“Blue Thunder” asks for money donations, which is seen by many Native communities as sacrilegious.
It intrudes into the Salish Sea territory while targeting a “New Age” audience, which in turn excludes Native Communities.
It has not been legitimized by the Elders and guardians of all the Nations affected by this ceremony.
It perpetuates stereotypes and misconceptions of Native Peoples and Cultures.

It continues the romanticized idea of all Native cultures being homogenous.
It has been promoted in posters that stereotype Chief Sealth and Sacagawea in a clip-art fashion while depicting them in a cliché greeting of “HOW,” which does not mean “hello.”
NSA witnessed supporters acting out “Indian dances” through bird-imitations and shouting stereotypical “war whoops” and other degrading and derogatory utterances.
Some of these incidents of racist/stereotypical actions were performed in the Evergreen Longhouse, a place of cultural significance for Native people and the larger community.
It is rationalized through an insensitive and detached perspective, which does not take into consideration everything Native people have been through.

Supporters have attacked NSA for standing up for our rights.
An essential aspect calls for Native Peoples to “get over” the genocide, cultural eradication, thefts and crimes so “we” can move on.
We of the NSA do not oppose bringing communities and different cultures together, we oppose the misguided approach these organizers have taken in doing so. The intent behind this event may be pure but its actions are creating the opposite effect. There is a difference between voluntary sharing of culture and this imposition that has been placed upon us. In the context of this discussion, we feel we are subject to racist and anti-Indian aggression, and are responding as such. Moreover, we view the defense of our cultures and traditions as the defense of our survival as Native people in the face of physical, cultural and spiritual genocide. The Native Student Alliance stands in unanimous and staunch opposition to the PNW Medicine Wheel Event. We also reject the anti-indigenous discourse and conduct from its leaders and supporters. We condemn the actions, not the individuals or spirits; we are ready to enter into a reconciliation process. We challenge the supporters of the event to heed our call, rethink and to move towards allyship. Furthermore, we send a message of profound gratitude to those allies who have heard our call and supported us with their words and actions.

For more information on how you can be ally, check out the facebook group Olympia Respects Indigenous Spirituality


‹ Native Student Alliance Calls for Allyship and Solidarity in Regards to "Medicine Wheel Ceremony" up Raising Awareness about the Pacific Northwest Medicine Wheel Ceremony: March 13th › Cultural Appropriation Native Rights Sham Shamans listening's blog Printer-friendly version Login or register to post comments
Comments
Sun, 03/13/2011 - 10:47am — Sarah
beautifully written
(I was a member of the Native Student Alliance of TESC back in the mid 90s as an ally. I was in David Whitener's program Home: The Hospitality of the Land)

This statement on the "Medicine Wheel Ceremony" is beautifully written, thank you.

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Mon, 03/14/2011 - 11:41am — srh31
thank you NSA. While there
thank you NSA.

While there are a few false accusations (the bird dancing, for example.) This has caused me to step back and reasess the situation.

I still believe wholeheartedly in the spirituality of the event. But I see now how the politics are overriding the issue.

I believe in the cause, but don't want to piss anyone off either. I hope something can be worked out on the 30th, even if it is after the event.

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Mon, 03/14/2011 - 3:50pm — LauraG
Why I object to this "ceremony"
Real spiritual people do not enter a different territory and proclaim it in need of "healing" as if that area is free of people perfectly capable of taking care of their own land. In the state of Washington there are 29 tribes. In Western Washington, the place where LeBeau is forcing his ceremony, there are 23 tribes. All are culturally active including practices that have been customary for them since time immemorial.

Why would it be the case that Mr. LeBeau and his followers would belive that they can bring in culturally appropriated ceremonies from other traditions (Plains) into this region or that it is necessary? Could it be that he and his followers have never considered the fact that Salish and Makah people are perfectly capable of taking care of the Pacific Northwest? Perhaps they are taking their lead from something that appears on LeBeau's website tetonrainbows.com under the link "elder1.pdf".

The Western Plains tribes are truly blessed that the government’s forced removal and eradication programs were so delayed for them, unlike the Eastern and Western Seaboard and interior tribes which were so early decimated by disease and migration that they lost most of their teachings.

For many Native peoples, what is offered by the Western Plains tribes is the only connection to their own forgotten traditions, even if tenuous. To take that away, or cause doubt, or exclude them is to condemn them to no connection with who they are and have a right to be. And the power of the Western Plains beliefs is strong and worth emulating, indeed a model for the world.

That particular quote is from an essay on his site that muddies the issues around protecting cultural ceremonies which belong to specific tribes and is land-based. By this thinking, he is saying  the 23 tribes here are so adrift that in his mind, cultural appropriation of plains traditions is all that is available. Hogwash!

While ostensibly "ministering" to those who he believes are without culture, he includes what he calls the "rainbow" of people who are individuals from all races--the true target of his ceremonies, not Indian people. The real money is with rich, non-Natives after all.

To assauge the guilt of those who may initially feel badly about being drawn to ceremonies that belong to the Lakota, he contends that guarding these ceremonies is acquiesing to the federal government, ironically,  by throwing in a reference or two to blood quantum, and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. These are things that a well-meaning, spiritually hungry non-Native person might be concerned about in their own personal quests, and for which they only have peripheral understanding. This same essay goes so far as to say that enrolled tribal members are no better than "chattel" (a reference that usually comes from people angry about not being recognized by their own tribe or any tribe). Tribes as soveign nations can define citizenship by any means that they choose. There is no uniform code of citizenship among them. Disparaging Indian people who are enrolled and presumably have a cultural connection to their tribe is classic anti-Indian rhetoric.

So, Mr. LeBeau has violated the number one protocol of real cultural practitioners by first assuming that there is no one to ask permission to practice his ceremony and secondly by assuming that the ones that are present have no cultural grounds on which to object to his presence.

When participating in canoe journeys, permission is asked before coming ashore from the canoe. When invited to share a prayer, dance or song, appropriate thanks and acknowledgement is given to your host tribes of the land. To not do these things is an insult.

As for the cultural appropriation involved in practicing ceremony that does not belong to Mr. LeBeau, his followers should know that the reason ceremony is so carefuly guarded is not because of jealousy, hoarding, or animosty but rather because these things require very careful use, years of training and the observance of strict protocol around season, time and place. People who do this for their communities, give their lives to it. They are accountable to their communities. When someone avoids accountability it can be because they are simply ignorant or that they have something unsavory to hide. Ignorance is dangerous. The unsavory are dangerous. Nothing about the approach of the organizers suggests the least bit of respect and that tells me that they may also have gaps in other things they may be offering.


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http://www.olyblog.net/native-student-alliance-calls-allyship-and-solidarity-regards-medicine-wheel-ceremony
Native Student Alliance Calls for Allyship and Solidarity in Regards to "Medicine Wheel Ceremony"
Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:38pm — listening The Native Student Alliance serves Native students at the Evergreen State College through various cultural activities that respect and honor the diversity of our student body. We share a responsibility to the land, the people, and the cultures of this region and all of Turtle Island to protect our communities from racism and oppression. NSA is also committed to serving the wider community by building cross-cultural awareness and solidarity with Indigenous peoples.

Most people know that while Native Americans have had many victories in resisting colonial oppression, they have also endured much sorrow and loss. Such losses not only resonate in our modern lives, but the process of colonialism continues to this day. The Native American struggle is alive though it has shifted in nature. A similar sense of entitlement held by the dominant society drives the usurpation of cultural property, as did the violent conquest of Turtle Island.

True cultural exchange occurs when both parties are on equal ground; however, western culture continues to dominate Indigenous peoples. The U.S. has subjected every tribe to generations of assimilative policies that have weakened the social and cultural foundations of tribes. Only 32 years ago, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act granted tribal peoples the basic human right to practice their religious ceremonies without fear of persecution. Such an unequal power dynamic has not only left a painful history, but has put tribes at a disadvantage in economic development. Financial hardship and injured self-respect may spur some Native people to commodify and sell their culture to non-Native people.

Why shouldn't I be able to access whatever spiritual practice I want?  For some, this mentality stems from a misplaced sense of entitlement in which Native peoples do not have the right to withhold their sacred ceremonies and traditions. For others, Native Americans are regarded as a vanishing or already extinct group. In an act of preserving the novelty of Native spirituality, they assume it is ok to appropriate. This approach is neither respectful, nor considerate; it is arrogant and patronizing.

Cultural appropriation is predicated on a fundamental disrespect for Native people—at best it is a silly misconception of what it is to be Native, and at worst it is an ultimate threat to our cultural survival. Native cultures are not only a set of cosmologies, but they are principled ways of being. Culture generates social supports, which are the strongest tool in facing dire circumstances within Native communities, such as epidemic youth suicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Meanwhile, non-Natives continue to justify taking ceremonies out of context and away from places where they are most needed.

We recognize that we are the descendants of survivors, the legatees of generational trauma and the children of struggle. We have a responsibility to our ancestors and future generations to defend our culture and empower our people. This means building solidarity with non-Native allies and educating our communities about Native cultural issues and concerns.

Our organization has been forced to address an alarming set of circumstances on Evergreen’s campus and in the Olympia community. We have experienced and witnessed:

Racist flyers for the “Pacific Northwest Medicine Wheel” promotional event: The images on the flyer blurred valued cultural distinctions by depicting stereotypical homogenized Native American figures that bear no resemblance to the actual people they are supposed to depict. The two Natives placed together (supposedly Sacagawea and Chief Sealth) never met and have no connections to one another. They are also depicted with their hands up in a stereotypical “How” gesture that so many non-Natives think is “Indian” for hello. Furthermore, there is an inaccurate placement of the buffalo and the mention of the “Medicine Wheel,” both of which are highly sacred to the Plains Indian cultures, but not representative of the Coast Salish Indian cultures.

Desecration of the Longhouse: During the promotional event hosted and sponsored by an Evergreen student group known as Ancestral Wisdom, NSA took particular interest in the words of one speaker, Bennie “Blue Thunder” LeBeau, who claims to be a spiritual leader of the Eastern Shoshone Nation. During the event LeBeau expressed that the sacred and spiritual beliefs and practices of Native Americans should be freely known and used by all people. He claimed our valued cultural distinctions are the products of “bad energy” and promoted his vision of the dissolution of tribal identity. He articulated multiple instances of historical revisionism. For instance, he utterly mischaracterized the history and nature of the Sundance and the Ghost Dance. He stated that Native Americans need to get over the genocide and ensuing colonialism.

Disrespectful behavior by students: In another instance, NSA witnessed LeBeau leading a “ceremony” on the Evergreen campus, in which students were seen acting out stereotypical Native American vocalizations and dances.

Invitation of a suspected fraud onto campus: LeBeau has been given free reign to mislead our learning community and disrespect  the Native American students by claiming his new age practices are rooted in Native spirituality. By combining religious activities of many different cultures and traditions with crystals, numerology and romanticized ideas of Native American practices, he makes a mockery of actual Native religions.

Lack of proper protocol and respect the the First Peoples of this land: To all things we are called upon as witnesses. Disregard for the People of this Place (all places) is an offense to the Spirits, to the Ancestors, causing suffering to First People. The protocol of inter-tribal relationships is that First People are the primary concern in all that is done. Speaking our intention and seeking permission is the beginning place of true respect. This homeland is theirs and we "others" are the visitors. Every grain of sand, every tree, every wave that washes upon the shores carries the cultural appropriateness or spirit of this place.

The primary instrument of genocide and assimilation has been the use of exclusiveness in the decision making process. We can never right a wrong but we can change behaviors. What invaded and settled upon this land was economic and spiritual dominance, what we have come to know as Colonization. And injury persists through the process of Colonization (of the mind) stripping away consciousness: we have no rights except that which First Nations grant. And furthermore, legitimate behaviors are blessed by the Elders of Indigenous Peoples. We petition the wisdom and blessings of the Elders so not to offend the spirits and create situations that may be furthering and aiding cultural misappropriation of First Nations/Indigenous Peoples. The organizers have not adhered to protocol in forging ahead with this event.

Lack of good faith in reconciliation attempts: Organizers of the Pacific Northwest Medicine Wheel have projected a façade of good will and intent while paying lip service to necessary protocols that include seeking counsel from respected elders and other Native community members. The result has restricted cross-cultural communication and understanding, ruled out the support and respect of actual indigenous communities, and complicated possibilities for reconciliation. This leads us to believe that the organizers have no intention to alter and cease the event if advised to do so, and have set the stage for on-going offenses.

We challenge the student organization, Ancestral Wisdom, to listen, rethink their notions of peace and harmony, and act in solidarity with actual Native communities.

We call on Student Activities, the Evergreen Administration, and all faculty and staff members to take measures to disassociate our school from Bennie LeBeau, aka “Blue Thunder” and The Pacific Northwest Medicine Wheel ceremony.

We call on the wider community to learn more about this ceremony’s legitimacy before choosing to participate.

We call on our allies to educate other people in our community, who may not be aware of the insidious nature of this event.

In the context of this discussion, we feel we have been subject to racist and anti-Indian aggression, and are responding as such. Moreover, we view the defense of our cultures and traditions as the defense of our survival as Native people in the face of physical, cultural and spiritual genocide. The Native Student Alliance stands in unanimous and staunch opposition to the PNW Medicine Wheel Event. We also reject the anti-indigenous discourse and conduct from its leaders and supporters. We condemn the actions, not the individuals or spirits; we are ready to enter into a reconciliation process. We challenge the supporters of the event to heed our call, rethink and to move towards allyship. Furthermore, we send a message of profound gratitude to those allies who have heard our call and supported us with their words and actions.

Offline debbieredbear

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2011, 08:55:05 pm »
I emailed one of the organizer and specifically asked if they had asked permission of the local tribes. Her non response was that they had been invited. That is all. What arrogance.Inviting someone and asking permission are not the same.

Epiphany

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2011, 11:20:53 pm »
I'm not a member of the Native Student Alliance but want to support however I can. They are doing amazing, clearly communicated, assertive work in the face of all this rip-off b.s. The NSA and supporters have a lot of enlightening stories to tell about their interactions with Bennie and followers.

Bennie's website uses a lot of copy and paste from various tribal and municipal sites, making it falsely appear that they support him and his work.

From what I read, Bennie is using spiritual talk as a tarp thrown over a con job. Also sounds like he has developed a mini cult around him.






Epiphany

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 02:28:03 am »
Bennie's non-profit is Earth Wisdom Foundation, non-profit org info is here: http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/np.asp?ein=743192626

Company profile info here: http://www.manta.com/c/mtvv71g/earth-wisdom-foundation


Scroll down on that company profile page and you find under Company Contacts a business Principal listed: Gwilda Wiyaka

And here is Gwilda's site:  http://www.findyourpathhome.com/mg_bio.html



Epiphany

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Re: Bennie LeBeau aka Blue Thunder
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2011, 10:52:09 pm »
More on Bennie:

2009

Quote
"My role, I'm a messenger of prophecy, I'm a seed carrier of prophecy for the indigenous nations," he said about the idea "to re-educate humanity about nature's laws to protect Mother Nature."
...
LeBeau was born in- Fort Washakie in 1950 and since his childhood he claims he has been able to see and talk with nature unlike others. "As a child I could communicate with the rivers and trees," said LeBeau, who claims children can also see fairies and dwarfs. "You can see all those things."

Think the world could end in 2012? So does Bennie LeBeau
Martin Reed. Wind River News. Lander, Wyo.: Dec 17, 2009. Vol. 32, Iss. 51; pg. 10, 2 pgs

2007

Quote
In 2005, Laurie met Red Bird, of the Cochiti Pueblo, who aided her in creating The Art Ranch/White Buffalo Camp. In 2007, she met Blue Thunder, an Eastern Shoshone Tribal Member and Younger Elder/Spiritual Leader whose guidance has deepened her knowledge of the sacred ways. Blue Thunder is currently a consultant to the Art Ranch and performs the earth ceremonies to initiate the Projects.

The Art Ranch http://www.theartranch.net/NativeAmerican.htm

2006

Quote
Earth harmony gathering
The Mother Earth in Harmony Uto Aztecan Cresent Moon Ceremony will take place May 13 and 14 at 19980 East US Highway 287 near Moran at the Hatchet Resort, roughly at the halfway point of Dubois and Jackson. Event activities begin at 4 a.m. the first day and noon the second day. The event is being held to help heal the planet's wounds planners say is caused by industrialization. Call Bennie LeBeau at (307) x; or Jola LeBeau at (307) x for more information. Bring food, warm clothes and food to share.
-Flyer
Publication title:Wind River News. Lander, Wyo.: May 11, 2006. Vol. 28, Iss. 7;  pg. 2,

2002

Quote
Big Horn Medicine Wheel and Devils Tower Interpretations
Bennie LeBeau, Sr. (Spiritual Leader and Advisor, Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Wind River Indian Reservation)
In this Native American Sacred Sites presentation, I propose to utilize 20 color slides depicting the Big Medicine Wheel,Devils Tower (a.k.a. Bear’s Lodge), and areas interpreting petroglyphs showing the vision quest sites . I will show both the tangible and intangible evidence through the rock images and rock alignments on the ground using symbols in the petroglyphs. I have been studying the petroglyphs of the western states and their interpretation for the past twelve years, as a protege of John Tarness, spiritual leader of the Eastern Shoshone tribe. I believe that only through educating the general public about sacred lands and our sacred sites will we be able to preserve these areas. Utilizing photographic skills on the petroglyphs, I am able to share a visual representation of our past, present, and future in educating the general public. (Contributed Paper)

2002 conference program http://www.arara.org/LP-28-4.pdf

1989
Quote
For another historical perspective, Little Wind River Outfitters (P.O. Box 717, Fort Washhakie, Wyo. 82514, ) will put you up — way up — in a tepee camp at 9,000 feet on the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming's Rockies.
Bennie LeBeau, a Shoshone, and his wife, Leslie, who is Arapahoe, are its operators. As part of the package, they serve Native American food, teach Native American games and include Indian lore.

Lawrence Journal-World June 4, 1989 article titled "Hitting the road for history" http://tinyurl.com/3mjm7eb