Education & Outreach
Horse Therapy
Connection to Self and Creator
The Creator made a very special connection between horse and mankind. The native culture acknowledges there to be seven directions of the horse:
- Two front legs represent west and north
- Two hind legs represent east and south
- Head Points Up, the ears point up, representing Wakatakiya, up above
- Tail points downward towards Mother Earth
- Those six directions come together in a sacred center to bring Wowakan in - a sacredness that you can only have with the six directions
The horse leads the way because of its healing power.
Seven Rites of the Seven Council Fire
(Oceti Sakowin) Reinforcing our Commitment to Cultural Preservation
We practice the Seven Rites given to the Dakota people:
Keeping of the Soul (Nagi Gluhapi)
The Sacred White Buffalo Woman told the Lakota when they die, their souls must be purified so they can reunite with Wakan Tanka - the Great Spirit.
Inipi - The Rite of Purification
The Lakota term for sweat lodge is Inipi which means 'to live again'. Inipi is necessary in order to help the vision quest seeker enter into a state of humility and to undergo a kind of spiritual rebirth.
Haŋblečeya - Crying for a Vision
All men and women can "cry for a vision" or what Black Elk calls "lament," but only the worthy will receive one. To undertake a Vision Quest in the proper way, a Wičasa Wakan - Holy Man - should advise the seeker and interpret the vision.
The most important reason for the Vision Quest is so a person can understand better his/her oneness with all things and gain knowledge of the Great Spirit.
Wiwanke Wachipi - The Sun Dance
The ceremony began at sunrise the next day, and anyone could dance. Dancers looked at the sun as they danced, and short breaks without food and drink were allowed. This went on for four days - usually while the self-sacrificers prepared themselves. Usually these men, as it was rare for a woman to participate, wanted something specific - good hunting skills, better fighting skills or healing powers.
Hunkapi - The Making of Relatives
This relationship mirrored the relationship of the Lakóta people with Wakan Tanka. The first ceremony with the Ree took place over several days. Near the end came the painting of faces.
Isnati Awicalowanpi - Coming of Age
This rite was performed at the time when a young girl realized the change taking place in her life was a sacred thing.
Tapa Wankaye Yapi - The Throwing of the Ball
In a ceremony before the throwing, the ball was painted red, with a blue dot in each of the four quarters. Two blue circles were painted around the ball, symbolizing the coming together of heaven and earth, making the ball sacred. A pipe was purified with sweet grass smoke while prayer was offered up to Wakan Tanka and the powers of the four directions.
Language snd Symbol Preservation Classes
Beginner, Intermediate and Fluent
Because there was a suppression of the Dakota language, the Native American Church of Crow Creek Agency conducts classes to.......Sacred Geometry