% bucks a head to see the Wopila ceremony? There's a new one.
On Labor Day weekend, September 4, at the Mantle Rock Center, 318 Sturgis Rd (this is also SR 60), in Marion, KY 42420, next to the Pamida, there will be a traditional, Native American thank you ceremony, also known as a Wopila. It is a spiritual and festive occasion with a feast after the Saturday evening thank you ceremony, which will be led by Chief Steve McCullough and will be accompanied by singing of ancient songs.
Momfeather Erikson, the founder and spiritual director of Mantle Rock will also share in the event. All people from the community are welcome. Entry fee to the center is $5 per person. The feast is a potluck.
The annual Salt Creek Sundance, under the leadership of Chief Steve McCullough or Iktomi Sha, had its 19th year at the Hoosier National Forest location near Freetown Indiana. The Sundance is an ancient Native American ceremony in which all participants fast and pray. Often times one may pray to the Creator for a specific reason, perhaps asking for special help, maybe a relative is sick, or someone needs help with a major decision. Whatever the reason, people often make vows with the Creator that if he has pity on them and hears their prayers, they will pray for the people and sacrifice themselves in this way upon the Sundance altar to show their gratitude in return for his kindness. Prayers are given that the elderly will be cared for, that they might have food, clothing and shelter, and that they will not be forgotten in their age. Prayers are also said for the children, as they are the life blood of the people. Additionally, dancers pray for all people on the earth, that whatever burdens they carry or struggles they are experiencing might be somewhat lessened and eased. This is just a taste of the Sundance. It is a very powerful and sacred ceremony that has withstood severe oppression many times since it was given to the People. Yet it has survived and continues on today on many reservations and in our communities.
The participants will meet to share stories, to do a thank you ceremony and also to have a good time with each other. For them the Sundance and the Wopila (giving thanks) ceremony that will be conducted, is the start of a new year. The location, the Mantle Rock Center, in Marion, is a Native education and cultural center, where Native traditions are thought and shared with people. It is the first time that many people from different tribes will gather in Marion for this specific occasion and our hope is that this will happen more.
