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There's more than just blowing smoke involved with an Indian pipe ceremony
By Phyllis Sides
If you are one of the people (and I was one of them) who couldn't attend the pipe ceremony held by Sacred Circle last week at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, I've heard we missed an opportunity to be part of what educators call "a teachable moment."
Sacred Circle is a student organization at Parkside that strives to honor the cultures of American Indian and indigenous people.
Sacred Circle President Joe Duncan said through its on-campus programming, the group tries to immerse the community in a culture that is rich in heritage and respect for all people. One of the ways do this is to invite an elder as well as the Parkside community to special events. This year's theme is "Tradition, Pass It On!" More than 20 students joined members of Sacred Circle for a traditional pipe ceremony.
David Granados, founder of Earth Lodge Foundation in Caledonia, led the ceremony.
Granados began by explaining the significance of the pipe - the bulb being the female part and the stem, the male. He also talked about the significance of the organization's name and how those who gathered also gathered in this circle.
"David pointed out the many circle of friends we have, the communities we represent and the extended families we have. The moon, sun and stars are circles, too. So are the foods we eat. Only after the settlers came did people divide the land into squares, dividing mother earth and each other," Duncan said.
Each person was smudged and then given a small pinch of an offering of tobacco. In the past students were invited to offer it to nature, the trees, the homes of the four-legged animals near by. Whatever they chose, Duncan said.
However, on this occasion it was tossed to the winds and blown to whomever needed it the most.
Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at: psides@journaltimes.com
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