Goodmedicine.at

Well, we won´t be there this year, unfortunately. But we´d like to share a few things with those interested:

It´s a great experience. We usually arrive in Pipestone, Minnesota on Thursday of the same week and stay in a Tipi at the nearby Campground. And this IS an experience. Every single time we have been there, we experienced storms, thunderstorms and heavy rains during one of the nights.  Imagine sleeping in a Tipi being awakened by Thunder, looking up at the sky through the top of the Tipi, which you have forgotten to close before going to sleep. Yes - great ! And scary ! And cool ! And that is also when I start to offer Tobacco. In the middle of the night. Usually by the morning everything has relaxed and it´s once again a bright and wonderful day.

After some breakfast at Lange´s Cafe in Pipestone (BIG & YUMMY!) we drive over to the Depot, where the Pipekeepers Office and Gift Shop is.

Yes there is a big pipe in front of it. And it has a story behind it but you´ll have to go there to hear it !
Then there are talking circles, workshops, meetings, discussions or just sitting there in the sun, talking with everyone who we haven´t seen in a year.
When lunchtime draws closer, usually Rona & her helpers are getting busy in the kitchen, cooking Buffalo Burgers and Indian Tacos. I recommend eating both. Probably not at the same time, but try them. They are marvelous. And then there are more activities till dinnertime.
Last year (2008), after dinner, we attended a native american flute and guitar concert. Amongst others there were Reggie Boyd, maker of native american flutes and Mick Daniels, musican and songwriter, who performed at the theater in Pipestone.
And then there are Lodges, of course. Sweatlodges. There are usually several of them, run by different Elders of many different nations.
There is a special place prepared for the lodges. And the scenery is just beautiful. I find myself surrounded by nature, within nature, usually at sunset. The Pipestone National Monument is a must-see!
So far, I have attended usually one a year and it always seems to be the Lodge held on Friday evening. During the last couple of years Changing Man has been the Firekeeper for one of these lodges. Being asked by an Elder to prepare the Fire in the right way, chopping wood, being there to ask and find the Grandfathers (Big Stones), which will be brought into the lodge. Getting the fire going, preparing it for the grandfathers, covering them with the hot coals so they too are heated up…this takes quite some time. And it is not an easy job. But it has been a great honor for him, every time.
And then slowly the people start gathering; the lodges are being checked (it needs to be completely dark in there) and are covered with canvas (cotton!!!); the Pipe and the altar are prepared. When everyone has arrived and has changed into appropriate attire for the lodge (for example I have a cotton sweatlodge dress), people are smudged and talked through. And then the Lodge begins. Some of the lodges have been very gentle and some of them have been really really really hot. It always depends on the people and what they need - and yes, also on how many Grandfathers have been selected. I have been in there for 4 rounds and there was a lodge where I have only been in for 1. It is an amazing experience and I don´t want to miss it.
After the sweatlodge the Pipe goes around before everyone departs in the direction of the Depot to share some soup (usually also prepared by Rona). That, and of course drinking a lot of water, is very important to keep you on your feet.

On Sunday mornings there is the Walk of the Quarries at Pipestone National Monument. We gather in front of the Three Maidens (3 very large boulders) and then we walk to the old pits, where the red pipestone has been quarried for centuries. Prayers are said and Tobacco is left there in honor of the Spirits and the sacred gift of the Catlinite. After an hours walk or so, we reach one of the active pipestone quarry pits, where Travis works (and before him his father…) and where he quarries Pipestone with hand tools only.
If you have seen the size of the pit, and how much work this is, you become really humble and then one starts to realize, just how precious this Pipestone really is. A Pipe Ceremony follows.
And then….well, then the parting begins. And we say our “see you next year”´s.
I always feel like, when I am there, I have left the regular world behind.

Hermilin