- It’s more than just a catchy saying and a nice paint job, it’s something sacred to us!
By James Magaska Swan
So what’s with the “Mitakuye Oyasin” painted on a Rapid City Police Dept. cop car? James Magaska Swan, founder and leader of the United Urban Warrior Society, based in Rapid City, S.D., had this conversation with Ward 2 Alderman Nordstrom of the Rapid City Council on November 2nd, 2017:
According to Swan, during this short conversation, “I didn’t even bring up the police “crest” wrapped around our Medicine Wheel. They just don’t understand the value of Wolakota! (Definition in English: That what is sacred). This is exploitation and appropriation at its WORST.”
(James Swan): “Well you tell the mayor and the police chief to remove the prayer words off that cop car and the Native community might sit down and listen to your unity ideas! And allow us to nominate our own "Native American" representative...”
(Ritchie Nordstrom): “Not totally sure of the prayer word issue. If Separation of Church and State takes precedent. Right or left wingers would have sued by now.”
(James Swan): "`Mitakuye Oyasin’ Is a prayer that is said after every Lakota Prayer and during Sweats and Sundance as well as all other sacred ceremonies — the meaning of the word is "all my relations" It is not, as the police and the city claim “We are all related.”
(Ritchie Nordstrom): “First I heard relatives is deemed a deity.”
James Swan’s Notes: These cop cars have been and used for deadly force, along with to haul weapons in them. it’s as brazenly phony and absurd as putting "So help me God", or 'OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN" on a tomahawk missile. You do not put these words on war machines. You see their argument is comparing this to a Christian issue. It cannot be compared, if you compare it in a way they could see it, it would be different. They are using these religious words on a war machine, it is not appropriate.It’s as terrible and blasphemous as writing “Bless the Lord” on a an AR-15. etc. (These are shared words of Wisdom from a friend).
In closing, we as Lakota people have no say or opinion of what belongs to us. Apparently, the white man knows what’s good for us and we should just bow down and let them control and manipulate our lives, our culture and our spirituality. ..NOT!
Mitakuyepi nis inyan takunl iyapo! Lena Lakota kin unkitawapiyelo, Tunksila lena Unkunpelo!!
~ United Urban Warrior Society ~
Sign the petition to remove the prayer. https://www.thepetitionsite.com/…/to-remove-the-prayer-wo…/…
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About the Guest Author: James Magaska Swan, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, is the founder and leader of the United Urban Warrior Society, based in South Dakota. The UUWS has more than 30 chapters throughout the USA and Canada. Swan served in the U.S. Navy where he traveled throughout the world and got a good look at how people in other lands live. He works a full-time job in the automobile servicing trade. Mr. Swan is one of the leading activists fighting for the rights of Native Americans and is a prolific writer who focuses all his commentary and discourse on issues and concerns of Native Americans and the indigenous people of Turtle Island.