Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance: Lakota - Prayer, Residential School, Teachings & Life-Stories
Channel: Jaguar Bird
Date: 2017-12-03

This is a series of excerpts from Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance.., at a speaking engagement, in 2012.. and a few other video clips & photos, from Unci  Rita.  

Unci Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance
Oglala-Lakota Sioux 
Pine Ridge Reservation;  South Dakota

Health Care Worker/ Elder/
Youth Ambassador Program/ 
Sundancer & Teacher/
*Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
Cultural Teacher/ Speaker/ 
Leader/ Activist/
Residential School Survivor/
Visionary/ Medicine Person/
*Part-Time Comedian  (healing.., with humour)  : )
....and much more..!  

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Sisters Rita and Beatrice Long Visitor Holy Dance are Oglala Sioux and live on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. They are descended from Long Visitor and are members of the Crazy Horse Band, named for the great warrior, "Crazy Horse". 

"We use Indian Medicine all the time at home. Our spiritual ways, our Sun Dance ways are encouraging prayer and bringing a lot of people back. A lot of young boys and girls are coming into the Sun Dance and are learning to reconnect with the source of their being."
---- Grandmother Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance

"Our Lakota people didn't know alcohol.  They were clean. They ate well and lived well. Alcohol was brought into this country. Now it's destroying our people, destroying all the tribes over all the nation. They don't know how to handle it. Even worse are all the drugs these days. We must reach our grandchildren. They need to understand that the Creator provides all that we need. He takes care of us. They don't have to use the alcohol." 
---- Grandmother Beatrice  Long Visitor Holy Dance

 The Oglala Lakota of Pine Ridge are the largest band of the great Sioux nation and represent the majority of the Teton Sioux. 

The Pine Ridge Indian reservation is the most poverty-ridden area in America.  Unemployment rates are  85%, school drop-out rates are up to 62%, and suicide rates are twice the national average. These desperate conditions may be of benefit the U.S. government. The United states is pressuring the Lakota to sell them the Black Hills.

In 1868, the U.S. signed the Fort Laramie Treaty which set aside the Black Hills for the Lakota.  In 1869 gold was discovered, so the U.S. grabbed back the land.  In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court wrote "the taking of the Black Hills ($60,000,000,000 in gold) is the most ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealing ever perpetrated on a people by the United States government."  Almost 140 years later, the Lakota remain in the fight for the return of their Sacred Hills.  

But despite overwhelming poverty and oppression, the people still refuse to sell their sacred lands.  Such a purchase would mean a sellout of the Lakota Nation, culture, religion, and values.  When asked about selling, 90% of the Lakota voted "NO."

----From: nativevillage.org  (Chi Miigwetch!)

“Our people know that the land and the language are one. If we lose one or the other we are no longer who we say we are.” - Unci Rita
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 I claim no ownership of any of the clips, video, music and words expressed in this video...and employ my borrowing of them with much respect and thanks.  Credits are given at the end of the video.

No personal monetization is being done with this video, by me..., nor am I receiving any other benefits from any of this video..  It is meant for all.., to heal, teach, discuss, inspire and inform...and share.

Fair use policy applies for all  material used in this video.

I thank Unci Rita..;, her entire family..; videosphere..; The 13 Indigenous Grandmothers..; nativevillage.org..; Wiki..; .... and all the other brothers and sisters who have saved some great photo & video moments of Unci Rita.... 

Many Blessings & Thanks / Chi Miigwetch!/  Philámayaye!

*Set video to 720p HD, for best viewing.