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CRAZY HORSE
SANCTUARY
CRAZY HORSE SANCTUARY
was created as away to honor the ancestors and to celebrate life,
friendship and community.
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The Vision of this garden came
to me in a dream several months ago, and since, I have come to learn that
Spirit has a great sense of humor. When Spirit honors me with a task, it
is rarely of small proportions, for the lessons that have come of it are
immense. Lessons in humilitation, in patience, generosity, introspective,
gratitude, perseverance, trust, community, and yes, humor.
Many of you have asked me why I
chose the name Crazy Horse?" For longer than I can remember, the
spirit of Crazy Horse has held a special place in my heart, as an old
friend. |
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Crazy Horse was a man
of great honor. A courageous warrior, often riding to the front line to
encourage his warriors to be fearless in the face of the enemy. Even as a
young man he had more honors than most men carried to the scaffold. But it was not his courage alone that made the
man, but his unending generosity. A man who would give to the needy,
unconditionally and with no regrets, all that he had. |
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Crazy Horse was a Spiritual man. A man
who showed reverence and respect for all things, and expressed it in his
daily prayers and actions. He was a man of Wisdom. A leader. A man who had
the courage to accept the responsibility of protecting the People of the
Nation, of putting the safety and welfare of the People before all else…
even to the point of surrendering at Fort Robinson that the People on the
reservations would no longer be forced into starvation by the hands of the
Government. |
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There are many others whose
honor is no less… Geronimo, Cochise, Sitting Bull, Osceola, Tecumseh,
Chief Joseph, Mankato, Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Big Bear, Kicking Bird…
There are many. So many that I could not possibly name them all. Let us
honor them. All of them, for they have all brought something of value to
our lives. In every smile, in every tear, in every sob, or spark of
laughter. So let us honor them. Let us honor them all. |
| Though we all walk our own
path to the beat of our own drum, there are some whose music touches us in
such a way that it brings great change to the heart. Today I would like to
honor those who have touched me in such a way. Those who possess the four
values of a Lakota: Of Generosity, Courage, Respect and Wisdom.
Today I would like to honor Sam.
Caocoochee, Seminole Medicine Man, Shaman, warrior, elder of the Nation,
founder of the Whirling Rainbow Lodge. When
I first began studying with Caocoochee, a playful spirit had come to
me in a dream and granted me one question... And so I asked, "Tell me
about Sam?" The spirit replied with one simple word,
"Unique." Today I would like to honor this "Unique"
man. |
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I would also like to honor two very
special elders of the lodge, women who have not only touched me as a
friend, but as a sister, a teacher, and a Grandmother. Women who have been
a great inspiration and have guided me down the path of my Vision Quest.
Who have opened their hearts and have willingly given of their love and
friendship,unconditionally. Shared their wisdom. Their laughter. Their
tears… With all of us… Grandmothers Talking Eagle and Light Bearer. |
