I must say something here.
Ska I like what you have to say about language. Now, this too you must know: Pablo's first language is indeed Blackfoot. He is Kainai (Blood) and is in many ways, a traditional person in his roots, having had much of his upbringing as his grandmothers 'eldest grandchild'. She was as second mother to him. He knows many old stories, and he did not even learn english until he went to school. He has a very traditional family actually.
As a young man, he was more into rodeo than ceremonies. (There were many many years where ceremony was a secret affair on reserves, and everyone was encouraged to be catholic cowboys instead.) Eventually though, Pablo found his was though that and became a Sundancer. His elder, and second father, Morris Crow, brought the Lakota sundance lodge to the Blood reserve, by gifting elders in S Dakota and earning the rites as per protocal. Pablo, in turn, did receive those rites. He has danced more times than any other person I have met. This all happened many years ago, and it is just recently that some of this is being relaized, and coming in to the bigger picture.
So for the last 10 years or so pablo has been doing his euro tours. Im not going to say whether this is right, or wrong, because essentially, that is between him and the Creator. I do know that it isnt entirely something he 'chose'. It sort of fell to him, and for various reasons he has been back forth across the ocean many times. If things are as they were a few years back, then I can guarantee you he gets homesick often.
His conduct does come into question. Is he doing the right thing? the wrong thing? Perhaps he has made some foolish choices. I know he has in the past had difficulties with relationships and addictions. I hope and pray he continues to heal,as we all do. He has alot of weaknesses, and also a lot of strengths. But he most definitely not a 'fake'.
Dear naapiiaki,
I will say it once again: it is clear Mr. Russell does not speak the Lakota language. There's nothing "traditional" about the way he is conducting himself. If he's a traditional Kanai, why is he not speaking the Blood language? Why is he not practicing (and selling) Blackfoot ways? Makes no sense whatsoever. Just because I live in Salish territories, have learned some Halkomeylem, and have had the privilege of participating in certain ceremonies does not give me the right to try to teach about these ceremonies, pass them on to others, or try to act like I have the ability to interpret these ways to anyone else. I have never seen my husband or any other traditional Lakota person try to practice the sacred ways of other Nations. He does not need to. He knows his own way of life, which starts with humility, not pride and ego and showing off.
I don't know Mr. Russell, so I won't pretend that I know anything about his background, just on the basis of what I have read by an anonymous source on the internet. But in my mind, the behavior I witnessed in the videos posted by AnnOminous was not that of someone who is well-versed in Lakota culture or ceremony. On other hand, I could totally believe that this person is a Christianized Indian cowboy, as he seems very assimilated to White norms of behavior. In non-Native society we learn just a little bit, then act like we know everything. I wanted to review all the videos that were posted by Ann because I remember Mr. Russell could not sing any of the words of the song he was singing, nor could he play a hand drum. But the videos have been removed by the person who posted them!
Your confusion is evident in the way you speak about the Lakota people's way of life. For example, the Sun Dance is not a "lodge" as you call it. And how could Morris Crow, who is just one man, pass on a ceremony to a whole nation? Does not make sense. There is no getting past the reality that many traditionals are deeply concerned about the exploitation of their ceremonies outside of their territories.
And this business of "earning rights through protocols" is kind of whack, too. I'm reminded of the exploiters on the Rosebud reservation that sell workshops to people to be "certified" as "firekeepers" and "pipe carriers". Hard to believe people give their money for this, even harder to see them bragging about it! I've never heard the term "protocol" used in relation to ceremony by traditional people. My husband thinks that people off the rez are using "protocols" in communities that are disconnected from traditional practices, and these same "protocols" are often used to control others and create hierarchies of power. Off the rez, people don't know each other and so we can get away with all kinds of fakery, far away from the eyes and ears of those who know.
Anyone who wants to learn ceremony from someone who does not speak the language is only kidding themselves about what they are "learning".
My husband asked me to share something here. He has observed that exploiters come out of the woodwork to use the names of elders who are vulnerable (as in living on the brink of survival) or who are dead! These Elders are not able to defend themselves against the misuse of their names and reputations. It is very obvious to see when someone is exploiting the Lakota way just to make money or gain status, because they can't speak the language and they speak a kind of nuage, greeting card speak. They are not practicing ceremony, they're chasing CEREMONEY.
Finally, Mr. Russell's alleged behavior towards women is worrisome, dangerous and sickening. I pray for him today, too, as there is a spiritual price to pay when we muck around with the spiritual yearnings of others. Consenting adults strutting their egos around each other is another matter altogether. It makes me sad to see people claiming to practice traditional Lakota ways, then turning around and being so disrespectful of women. Lakota ways demand a great deal of respect towards women. They have beautiful, gentle, loving practices and norms that guide the behavior of men and women that, to me, seem deeply reverant towards women. To this day, my husband does not talk to my mom or sisters directly, unless they talk to him first.
How can one learn anything about Lakota culture if they are willing to pay money for ceremony, follow a braggart around, or attend "ceremonies" by those who claim Lakota knowledge but are far away from Lakota territories and don't speak the language? The learning can not come when we are still fooling ourselves.
Pablo Russell is referred to as a fraud and a fake because he is not Lakota, does not speak the language, yet claims to know and conduct Lakota ceremonies.
best, ska
