Lightning Bolt Chichakos

A message from Lightning Bolt

Greetings Brothers, Sisters, Children and Grandchildren of Mother Earth. The ways that I have been given to carry have been traditionally passed to me, as my former teacher explained "Like, from father to son." I take very seriously the responsibility and moral obligation that comes with carrying such knowledge and power, and I do my best to walk with it in a good way. I do not cater to New Age romanticized and glamorized, preconceived, absurd, notions of what Native American spirituality should be. There is the way people think it SHOULD be, then there is THE WAY IT IS.

If you do not want the real thing please do not waste my time. My time is very valuable, I do not have time for games or New Age grandiosity. So, if you are looking for New Age glamorization of "Shamanism" please go to the Harner Foundation, or some silly who "Trained" at one of those types of foundations, or anyone that provides "Shamanic Practitioner's Workshops." For the right amount of money they will sell/tell you anything you want to hear. Such people are guilty of cultural appropriation or as I call it "Cultural Hijacking", and cultural religious and spiritual exploitation. I do not sell ceremony or sacred knowledge nor exploit Native American culture or spirituality, I will leave that to the New Agers who are in to such exploits. However, not all of them are and I acknowledge this. If you ask me for any kind of assistance please approach me with an open mind, and you need to present me with Tobacco and an offering (what ever that may be), as is traditional protocol and accordance with the spiritual law of reciprocity.

I am not a certified M.D. (White man trained doctor) and ceremony should never be sought in place of professional medical attention (my disclaimer). My approach to healing is medico-religious and spiritual in nature. Please do not seek my council or advice if you are not prepared and willing to hear the answer. I am not anxious to perform healing ceremonies as I have learned from experience and observation that some people say they want healing but are not willing to take responsibility for their behavior or other influences on their part that have created, or contributed to, their sicknesses, and therefor not willing to make the changes in their life that the healing requires.

I do not approve of selling the sacred in any way shape or form. Please, for your own safety, do not attempt to duplicate any ceremonies, or mannerisms you witness me conducting in or around ceremonies without the PROPER training. I am not responsible for any harm to you or your loved ones resulting from such behavior and blatant disrespect. I do not claim credit for any "Healing" or "Miracles" resulting from the ceremonies I conduct. All credit goes to the Great Creator of the spirits of the Earth and the Universe, for I am but a little hollow bone that the power passes through. I do not have any desire to be anyones "Guru."

I do not claim to be a "Shaman" or "Medicine Man" as these terms are not indigenous anyway. My Native American blood lines have been documented and traced back to the 1800's. The name Lightning Bolt was gifted to me from the "Grandfathers" (the spirits) through Fools Crow, to be used with the music. I have another name that is sacred and private that came from my former teacher that I do not share with the public, for it is between myself, my former teacher and the Great Creator. I will not disclose the white man name of my former teacher Coyote out of respect for his privacy and anonymity.

There are no "Holes" in the interviews I have done with Heyoka Magazine. The only holes are in peoples interpretation and understanding of the information presented in the interviews. Some of the things in my experiences I am not allowed to share with the public. They would not believe it or understand it even if I did. Any attempts to manipulate, exploit or take advantage of myself, or some one such as myself, will only result in your own self created destruction. For as you know life moves in a circle, what comes around goes around. I do not intend for this message to sound harsh. However, I would like your experience with the ways I've been passed to be real and true, and I care for your safety and happiness.

I am not affiliated with, and neither oppose nor endorse A.I.M. (the American Indian Movement), and I try to avoid political controversy. I understand that there were, and are, many people who are envious and jealous of Fools Crow. Due to this he had many enemies (such as the people in A.I.M. who burned his home down). When ever you have an incredible amount of power you have enemies automatically. I knew that for me to come forward publicly and announce having trained under him that I would inherit his enemies, all though I do not look at them as enemies even though they may not feel the same towards me. I understand that there are those who stand against Fools Crow's teachings (particularly all races having a welcomed place in Native American ceremony) and want to turn Native American spirituality into an elitist club. I will firmly stand by Grandpa Fools Crow and what he stands for regardless of the negativity that is directed at me. I was instructed to help and be open to people of all colors. I feel greatly blessed that I have the courage to walk the path that others fear to tread.

I find it comical that some people, especially Native American people, will readily and willingly adopt White man's consensus reality when it suits their own agenda, (for example, the closed and narrow minded false concept and belief that a spiritual being cannot reach from beyond the grave to pass on spiritual teachings). I do not, nor have I ever, advocated the overthrow of the U.S. Government. I advocate the restoration of the U.S. Government to its LEGAL AND PROPER PLACE, as its founding fathers laid out. I pray for the healing of the people and all living beings, and the healing of Mother Earth, in love and respect for all living and spiritual beings. In love and light- Mitakuye Oyas'in (All My Relations) -Lightning Bolt

Sundance in the Northwest?

Sundance is one of the seven sacred rites of the Sioux (but other plains tribes do it too). This ceremony was brought to them by White Buffalo Calf Woman. This ceremony in fairly recent years has been brought to the Northeast and the Northwest coastlines of this continent where it does not belong. There are Sioux Elders who are upset that this ceremony has been taken away from it's Native environment (the Plains).

There are now people who are going around saying that people who are not Sundancers are not qualified to run Sweat Lodge ceremonies (another Sioux ceremony), even though there are MANY other tribes all over this continent who traditionally sweat in lodges or cedar plank houses, who had nothing to do with Sundance. The point of taking Sundance out of it's Native environment and bringing it into areas where it does not belong creates an imbalance. It is mixing the spirits and powers. The Natives in the Northeast and Northwest have their own ceremonies to keep their part of the world in balance. For people to say that another Native person is not "Qualified" to run Sweat Ceremony unless they do things someone else's way is arrogant and conceited.

There is someone in the Pacific Northwest who is going around and telling people that "Before a person can run Sweat Lodge they need to have Sundanced for 4 years, and sponsored someone Sundancing 4 years prior to that." This message from the spirits was intended for the individual that it was given to, not the general public. This has created an elitist club and is hurting Native spirituality and people at large. I have been told by credible sources that the Sundance's in the Northwest are not being ran properly, and as an elder said, "How can they be ran right when they are a plains ceremony and don't belong here."

I encourage people to continue with their own tribal customs and traditions regardless of what other people say. Every tribe is important, not just the Sioux. Every ceremony is important, not just the Sioux's. I am not against Sundance. I fully support Sundance in it's right and proper place, where it belongs, ON THE PLAINS!

Title Photo: Marble Mountain wilderness area (Cliffs above Bear Valley) By Lightning Bolt
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