Northern Cheyenne Nation
Rosebud Creek
Two Moons Camp, Montana
October 5, 1980

COMMUNIQUE NO. 1
It has been brought to the attention of the Elders and their representatives in council that various individuals are moving about this Great Turtle Island and across the great waters to foreign soil, purporting to be spiritual leaders. They carry pipes and other objects sacred to the Red Nations, the indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere.

These individuals are gathering non-Indian people as followers who believe that they are receiving sacred instructions of the original people. We, the Elders and our representatives sitting in council, give warning to these non-Indian followers that it is our understanding that this is not a proper process. The authority to carry these sacred objects is given by the people, and the purpose and procedure is specific to time and the needs of the people.

The medicine people are chosen by the medicine, and long instruction and discipline is necessary before ceremonies and healing can be done. These procedures are always in the Native tongue; there are not exceptions, and profit is not the motivation.

There are many Nations with many and varied procedures specifically for the welfare of the people. These processes and ceremonies are of the most Sacred Nature. The council finds the open display of these ceremonies to be contrary to these Sacred instructions.

Therefore, be warned that these individuals are moving about playing upon the spiritual needs and ignorance of our non-Indian brothers. The value of the instructions and ceremonies of these individuals is questionable, maybe meaningless, and hurtful to the individual carrying false messages. There are questions which should be asked of these individuals:

• What nation does the person represent?
• What is their Clan and Society?
• Who instructed them, and where did they learn?
• What is their home address?

If no information is forthcoming, you may inquire at the addresses listed below, and we will try to find out about them.

We concern ourselves only with those people who use spiritual ceremonies with non-Indian people for profit. There are many things to be shared with the Four Colors of man in our common destiny as one family upon our Mother the Earth. It is this sharing that must be considered with great care by the Elders and the medicine people who carry Sacred trusts, so that no harm may come to people through ignorance and misuse of these powerful forces.

E'h na hawn na
The Elders Circle
Northern Cheyenne Nation
Montana