26 June 2010

To all friends and relatives of The High Star Sun Eagle International Sun Dance for Peace,

    It is near the end of June and I am breaking personal tradition by doing this letter now instead of a year or two down the road. Maybe it’s the coming changes in consciousness to humanity and to all of life motivating me, but whatever it may be, I thought it was time to write this. I’ve been told by my friends and relatives at the dance that there must be exceptional changes due to happen because of what they perceived as changes happening in my personal behavior. People actually saw me rise before all others to do my lodges and other activity unusual for my personal patterns of behavior. Actually, what motivated me to step up my activity was what I saw as I drove on to the sun dance grounds upon my arrival the first day of purification.

     My brother, Ervin Keeswood,  must have had a major dream or vision of some kind to prepare the grounds for our dance. The sun dance arbor was covered with aspen boughs with poles replaced to hold the arbor more upright. The sun dancer’s rest area is now a huge Hogan with wooden slats covering the sides with much space inside for the dancers. The leader’s area is also covered with wooden slats and more spacious than the previous space. The singer’s areas are also covered with wooden slats and aspen boughs giving protection from sun and wind. The fire and purification lodge area is enclosed with wooden slats and more spacious to control the fire place and regulate human traffic. The dancers’  tipis are now on a raised and leveled earth behind and above the Hogan. A stairway is constructed and in place for the dancers to access the tipis. Enough Porta Potties were provided for the campers’ use.

    All in all, the work accomplished by Ervin and his crew was impressive and awesome! I was truly motivated to change some of my behavior to meet the challenge. I am thankful and I truly appreciate the work being done for the vision of peace.

    The 2009 sun dance was the most peaceful dance I’ve been to yet. The 2010 sun dance has now taken its place in my history as the smoothest  sun dance I’ve ever been at. Despite the first day of the dance being pressured by wind and the sun, everything flowed. The second day was hot and challenging, but everything flowed. The dance prayers were strong and focused. The third day, the healing day, was a mixture of hot and cold. Those of us working in the center in individual healings were pelted with hail and cold rain. We finished the healings and the sun came out and the dancers’ healing round was actually very hot. But it flowed. The last day, consumed by piercings of the dancers, was the first 3 ½ hour round of dancing at our sun dance. But it flowed. The tree was taken down after the camp feast and in the dark. But it flowed. It seemed as though everyone at the dance found their niche and flowed with things. It was smooth.

    The music at this year’s dance was exceptional. The singers who came to help were at their best. Even with a few miscues in rhythm and song selection, everything corrected itself appropriately. If my toes don’t curl up while dancing, it means the music was good. This dance at Red Valley is designed for music and dancing. The goal of dancing for peace certainly was met. May we continue in the same spirit for the future.

    Thanks go out to all who helped physically as well as financially. None of the dance could have happened without that help. My appreciation extends to all of you who made the effort and contributed financially. Please know that it is deeply appreciated and heartfelt that your contributions do help. My personal rules for the dance are: 1) don’t spy on each other; 2) learn to get along; and 3) dance your prayers. Everyone has done that and things turn out smooth. Let’s all pat each other on the back for a dance well done!

    This year was absent Denean who usually sang the morning’s wake up calls. But her presence was felt in the healing flags and tobacco ties for the tree that she prepared. And also, the pipe for the tree that she vowed to prepare every year was connected to this year’s tree. We smoked it the last night after the dance to honor the awesome tree that she prepared it for. Thanks to Von for waking us up in her place.

    I plan to write more about the dance as the year progresses, but I thought it important to let you know that I have not forgotten to stay in touch with you in this way. I do want to reiterate my appreciation for Ervin’s work. Also, I want to personally thank Steve Scott, my grandson, for his efforts to help our dance. His work is noticeable and impressive, and deeply appreciated. I also want to thank Dana Stewart and her camp for their  commitment again to provide the prayer sticks and ties for next year’s dance.

    There is more to come, so I will stop here. Thank you to all. May the Creator bless all of you and provide the opportunities for your peace.

In love and peace,

Howard P. Bad Hand