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Play based on Leonard Peltier's autobiography

Monday, March 26 at 12:01 AM

This Speakout has not been edited

By Richard J Two-Elk, Denver

The play, "My Life Is My Sundance", currently being presented at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th St., Boulder, is based on Leonard Peltier's autobiography by the same title. However, this Lakota would like to suggest CAUTION, since it is NOT what it appears to be.

In the: Declaration of War Against the Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality http://www.elexion.com/lakota/rites/index2.html Lakota leaders speak out against those who "are selling books that promote the systematic colonization of our Lakota spirituality" and an "industry continues to saturate the entertainment media with vulgar, sensationalist and grossly distorted representations of Lakota spirituality...which reinforce the public's negative stereotyping...and which gravely impair the self-esteem of our children". They admonish that "this exponential exploitation of our Lakota spiritual traditions requires we take immediate action to defend our most precious Lakota spirituality...".

I submit that "My Life Is My Sundance", at first a book now a play being presented locally, insults the Sundance ceremony of the Lakota. It stereotypically reduces the annual blood prayers and sacrifices of thousands of Sundance participants for health and welfare of their loved ones, to words of one man and his "personal" struggle to escape his past.

Sundance is a Sacred Ceremony of fasting, not drinking water and making prayer for four days. Sundance is governed by traditional laws and leaders, and is comprised of blood prayers danced by the Sundancers. Given this, how can Mr. Peltier even suggest his life is a Sundance?

If Leonard Peltier is going to INVOKE the Sundance, then he, and those who present the book and play, must reckon contradictions between what he represents therein and the Sundance Ceremony among the Lakota.

In one instance from the book Mr. Peltier states, "I pray an eagle will fly off the flagstaff in the President's Oval Office and...while the President sits there...I pray that that eagle will stand there on his desk, stare into his eyes, and join its cry to the cry of the millions... around the world...appealing for my release. With all my heart I personally appeal to him for his consideration and for his compassion." http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/LeonardPeltier/LPextracts990309.htm

This contradicts, and conflicts with what Lakota people understand the essence of our Sundance ceremony to be, sacrifice and prayer for the good of others, NOT your SELF.

In the Sundance Circle and the prayers of the Sundancers, it is NOT common practice, Nor is it acceptable, to complain. However, contrary to this Sundance tenet, "My Life Is My Sundance" is one continuous complaint.

With words like, "My life is an extended agony. I feel like I've lived a hundred lifetimes in prison already." Nonetheless, leonard persists "...yes, I am a Sun Dancer. That, too, is my identity. If I am to suffer as a symbol of my people, then I suffer proudly...".

All I ask, as a Lakota and fellow Sundancer, is that he "suffer" with dignity appropriate to the calling rather than in boosting book and ticket sales.

In "My Life Is My Sundance", people are misled to believe his complaints of misery will somehow "educate an unknowing and uncaring public" to the plight of us "poor" Indians.

Were we all to share in the spoils of his book and ticket sales, I might be more inclined to "believe" his life is his Sundance that will do us all some good.

In closing, I request humbly, that you NOT support this insult to Lakota Spirituality and our Sacred Sundance by NOT buying the book or NOT attending the play, and instead help Mr. Peltier know the true virtue of the Sundance he's invoked, which is hardship, strength and Sacrifice.

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