We have an elder hear both sides and mediate rather than immediately throwing someone in jail. We are remembering how to live peacefully with each other, and standing up for our own ways of doing things. Ray relates that he sees a lot of changes happening in American Indian communities. He views these changes more in terms of maintaining traditional value and belief systems. Ray relates, We are now beginning to search for what our ancestors had, in terms of values, not so much in terms of the old way of living.
Today there are many more people actively seeking to learn about the traditional teachings.
Hundreds of people are coming to the Grand Medicine lodge. For example, about 300 people came for the winter teaching this year. Ten years ago with a winter teaching ceremony we d be lucky to have 20 people come for the four day ceremony. However, there is confusion for some American Indians in their efforts to learn about the traditional ways. There now exists a lot of confusion and competition.