Ceremony, Donations and Money

[choctawwind]

I have noticed a lot of people using this as a criteria to base whether a ceremony is fraudulent or not.  I agree that Indns have never "charged" for ceremony and that if there is a dollar amount on a website its like charging.  There is some history here that people need to be educated about.  In the old days prior to white invasion and up until about 5 or 10 years ago, traditional tiospaye's who came together to help a person heal expected that person to gift the leader/healer/medicine person and to provide, at the very least, a package of tobacco and food for everyone who prayed with/for them.  What is left out here, is the intrinisic practices of respect toward a place to pray in the Indigenous way.  While money is usually not involved who pays for the chainsaws, the gas, the oil, the chairs you sit on, the gas to go get real rocks, for the general upkeep of the ceremonial land?  In the old ways people brought horses, sheep, blankets, food out of gratitude and respect, not just for the medicine and healing, but in a holy response to The Holy Creator for health and help received.  I sense that there is a general message here that it is acceptable to seek help without regard for the life of the people helping or their resources, which is very wasicu in attitude.  Native Americans have ALWAYS believed in the Circle Of Life, in reciprocity, and if you ask someone for help and healing then you need to give to them out of respect and gratitude.  Its not a new age thing to do that, its a traditional, cultural way of life that has been going on for thousands of years.  Go ask a Chief for help and prayers without an offering and see what happens. 

[educatedindian]

Welcome, glad to have you here.
I think most in here are aware of that. Donations and gifts are the way things have always been done. Most of us realize that having a set price is the dividing line, it's crass and unspiritual. Esp high amounts designed to squeeze very penny, credit card setups and paypal on their websites, putting out a shingle in general.
Some exploiters have begun to try and confuse the issue, for example not charging for sweats but charging for other ceremonies, "suggested donations," etc. Or relabeling ceremony as workshops or seminars.

You're new here, so likely didn't realize this. Research is for people and groups questioned as possible frauds. Moving to Etc.

[choctawwind]

Thanks, I feel like people need to be educated on how to respect the medicine people and elders in ceremony.  There are so many who want to come for a healing and walk away like they are entitled when the Chief or Medicine Person has to take a week to recover from the energy they lend to the healing.  Its just as bad to disrespect our leaders with that sense of entitlement and not to properly educate people on how to treat our elders.  I find it interesting that this topic is rarely mentioned here on this website, and if you stand for the furtherance of Native ceremony and want to keep in intact for future generations to come its important to educate people about how to treat our ceremonies.  They are not put on by themselves and its not the leaders' responsibility to spend 100s of dollars on people just because we are Native.

[earthw7]

choctawwind
May i ask what what is your background to give instructions on ceremonies?
Why would we give instruction on this site for furtheance of Native Ceremonies?
Why do you think you need to teach us?
I am asking because i have that right to ask.
I dont believe that this site is for explaining how to do ceremonies or make sure the ceremonies continue.
That is up to the Native people only to make those decision.
This is not the place to give ceremony instructions.

[debbieredbear]

I agree with Earthw7 100%!