Chief Avrol Looking Horse stood in front of the blazing fire and explained that we were connected to all the sacred fires around the world; and I had a silly thought about a scene in a Harry Potter episode where Harry learns that he can jump into the fire and travel anywhere.
       I should explain that "we" was a gathering of over 200 people who had congregated on the summer solstice at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers a historic meeting site for the Dakota people.  The land is considered sacred to indigenous people who also believe that June 21 is a day that should be spent in worship.  Traditionally, the sun dance is held on the summer solstice.  It is seen as a time for renewal, a time to honor Mother Earth, to give thanks for Her blessings.  
       Taking part in the ceremonies that were held that day brought me great peace. 
I believed in what I was doing as much as anyone who believes in prayer hopes their prayers are worthy of being heard and answered.  But as the fire burned at the center of our gathering, my eyes were drawn to the suspension tower holding wire cables transporting electricity throughout the grid.  The paradox between the obvious display of the force and energy created by man as opposed to the invisibility of spiritual power transmitted through the fire or thought of man seemed apparent to me.  And I wondered about the effectiveness of our prayers at the same time I felt the urgency of them.
  
       Surely, in earlier times people who prayed had worries and fears about their life.  They wondered whether the buffalo would be found, if the hunt would be successful, if mother nature would be kind, if their children would be well.  Regardless of how technologically advanced a culture may perceive itself to be, it would seem that the nature of prayer throughout the ages hasn't and won't change.  As human beings we ask our creator to grant our desires for comfort and security as well as the blessing of having our basic needs for food and shelter well provided.  And yet, I believe the prayers said during this solstice were different from the ones prayed by people who stood on turtle island hundreds of years ago.  Back then it is doubtful that they worried about pollution and environmental destruction.  Their prayers for renewal of Mother Earth more likely acknowledged her power - the giving and taking and sustaining of life itself as opposed to the destructive forces of mankind that have so substantially interfered with the general course of nature.
       I don't know how many people stood around sacred fires that burned around the globe that day.  I only know that I listened to a woman explain the necessity of healing mother earth like this:  The hole in the ozone layer is analogous to an opening in the aura of a human being.  The sacred sites around the globe are the same as internal human energy fields known as chakras; thus prayers for healing at the sacred sites (places from which energy is transmitted) will help our planet heal.  While thinking of the human body and the earth itself as energy fields is undoubtedly a big leap for the part of America that relates to energy in terms of electrical sockets and transmission grids, I accept the philosophy with ease.  I also think the terminal tower standing behind the sacred fire that burned throughout the four-day event, was a paradoxical reminder of the tangible and intangible sources of energy currently surrounding each of us.  The energy transmitted through the power grids may make life more convenient for us, but it is the strength and substance of Mother Earth that creates the bounty that sustains us. 
       Just as Christ brought the teachings of the Judeo Christain beliefs to world, there have been teachers in native tradition.  One of the most revered is the White Buffalo Calf Woman.  Long ago She brought the sacred pipe to Her people.  She taught the elders and medicine men how to pray with it and She taught the women sacred ceremonies to help them raise their children and care for Mother Earth.  Her prophesies tell of a time of great turmoil when it will be important for the races of humanity to unite in order to prevent chaos and destruction.  As the 19th generational holder of the sacred pipe brought to his people, Chief Avrol Looking Horse is entrusted not only with the physical keeping of the pipe, but also with the duties associated with a healer, a medicine man whose people have a great tradition of recognizing the goodness and bounty of Mother Earth.  What a challenge to share messages of hope, healing and renewal during these troubled times; especially when a metal suspension tower -- a tribute to the force and some would argue destructive nature of mankind -- stands over a sacred fire.
        I enjoyed the experience of gathering with like-minded souls praying for renewal and for healing of Mother Earth. Even though many would consider the beliefs and behavior primitive, I believe many in the modern world may have forgotten the essence of who we are, that we have been born on Mother Earth, are part of her and rely upon her for sustenance.  So perhaps we should pray as though every day were as significant as the solstice; because, it might be!



(Note: the photo was taken after the ceremonies were complete and the ceremonial fire extinguished).