Greetings to all my friends and relations,

In June of 2006, we embarked on a journey of peace by initiating the High Star Sun Eagle International Sun Dance for Peace held on the family grounds of Ervin Keeswood. This year of 2009, we finished the first four years of that sun dance with energy and enthusiasm for more. Every four years, we ask the dancers if they desire to continue with another cycle of four years to dance. We asked Ervin if he was willing to accept us for another four years. He agreed to have us for another four years with the conditions that we all return and rebuild anew the current arbor now standing. With his permission, we now have an intent to begin and finish the second cycle of another four years of the sun dance. This letter is a report on the sun dance for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009.

In the 33 years that I have personally been involved with the sun dance as a singer, helper and finally, the leader of the dance, if a word such as beautiful can be applied to a sun dance, our dance of 2009 was it. A great effort was put forth by all to get along, cooperate, and unite hearts and minds to realize the goal of peace as the focus of the dance. Along with that, all participants were asked to put and keep their minds on their prayers, and celebrate life with their dance to the beautiful music provided by various groups of singers who come to support and sing for the dance. Mother Nature even joined in with the celebration by providing beautiful sunny days with a few showers thrown in to add variations to those days. The earth mother also provided a tree that had three forks and a strength that can only be experienced as a powerful energy throughout the four days of the dance. We were given a wonderful conduit to extend our prayers to heaven, earth and all living things through this powerful living relative who shared its last living energies with us so that we could finish our prayers appropriately. All could experience its support for us, and we responded with a beautiful celebration. All who were present in whatever capacity at the dance were enveloped in a wonderful light of joy and love. Again, it was a beautiful experience.

On the second day of the dance, Hakikta and Marrianne Jordan from Denmark gifted me with a pipe and a responsibility of three warrior titles to give to warriors on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. So that the traditions of those warriors find their proper home and a chance to be carried  on with virtue, valor, and honor into the future, Hakikta entrusted me with them to be passed on to the next generation of young warriors. These titles for leadership and membership included the Gray Eagle Society, the Red Feather Society, and The Tokala Society. I am not only honored by this trust, but I will make the effort to support and further the traditions of our people by making certain that they go where they belong. Thank you Hakikta, and I honor your accepting me as your younger brother in the Hunka tradition. You are now my Ciye. The pipe you have gifted me with will be shared with all.

For 2008, we had a ceremony before the first day of the dance in which we were told by spirit to be cautious for the cold the first day of the dance. As we had our normal windy and scattered showers with warm days leading up to tree day, I personally thought that the cold referred to a misty cool type of day. When we woke up that first dance day morning, there were inches of snow on the ground, still snowing where we were, a thunderstorm was happening full force south of our location, a bright sun was rising on the eastern horizon with beautiful full spectrum colored tones, and it was windy. Standing by the fire warming up preparing to dance, my thought was, “Don’t doubt the spirits when they tell you to be cautious of the cold!”  We danced with our jackets on until the last round of the day. It only started to warm up on the second day. The last day turned out to be a very hot day quite the opposite of all the days preceding it. But it turned out to be quite fun as we ended the dance.

For 2007, we had the worst winds in a long time blanketing the southwest. Trees were upturned, power poles went down, and for trucks and big vehicles, it was hazardous driving. The sandstorms generated by the winds turned driving and walking into adventures unpredictable and fearsome. Tents and tipis at our dance did not survive the fierceness of the gales, but we persisted and turned the dance itself into an exciting adventure of celebration. We ended with a great deal of enthusiasm and confidence that we could prevail against anything in our prayers and celebration. Peace is possible against all odds!

Part of Black Elk and others’ vision of the sun dance was about the colors of the world dancing and praying together in unity and harmony swaying in unified rhythm to the songs and beat of the drum. We have turned The High Star Sun Eagle International Sun Dance for Peace open to the world for the same reasons. It is working. So we invite you to participate and experience for your self that peace is a viable goal for us all. You can make peace happen as a life style, not a momentary thought passing.

Visions of peace remain thoughts and visuals only as a possibility unless we put them into a practice of daily living. My prayer for you is to experience peace and keep it as the expression of your divine life. Anything you do to live it and further it helps you and your world. It is a possibility worthy of living. The sacred pipe is an example of the encouragement for it. May you live your peace.  

Howard P. Bad Hand (Wicahpi Wankatuya-High Star)