Iktomi
In Lakota mythology
According to the Lakota, Iktomi is the son of Inyan, rock. Inyan is a creator god similar in form to other male creator gods. Iktomi has a younger brother, called Iya, who is a destructive and powerful spirit. One story of Iktomi goes that in the ancient days, Iktomi was Ksa, or wisdom, but he was stripped of this title and became Iktomi because of his troublemaking ways. He began playing malicious tricks because people would jeer at his strange or funny looks. Most of his schemes end with him falling into ruin when his intricate plans backfire. These tales are usually told as a way to teach lessons to Lakota youth. Because it is Iktomi, a respected (or perhaps feared) deity playing the part of the idiot or fool, and the story is told as entertainment, the listener is allowed to reflect on misdeeds without feeling like they are being confronted. In other tales, Iktomi is depicted with dignity and seriousness, such as in the popularized myth of the dreamcatcher.
The tales of Iktomi's propensity for mischief leads many without a full understanding of Native American mythology to believe that he is an evil figure, however, it is not quite that simple. Iktomi can be seen as both good and bad, and has been portrayed in both ways. Many other Native American trickster spirits, like Mica (Coyote) are often victims of the same misconception. Despite Lakota not expressing hysteria or extreme fear towards Iktomi, generally he is viewed as a being whose gaze is to be avoided, lest trouble find you; as depicted in the modern film "Skins", directed by Cheyenne-Arapaho director Chris Eyre.
Iktomi is a shapeshifter. He can use strings to control humans like puppets. He has also the power to make potions that change gods, gain control over people and trick gods and mortals. Mika or Coyote is his great accomplice in all of this, though there are times when he behaves seriously and comes to the aid of the Lakota people, there are instances where he gives the people ways to protect from evil, live a better life with technology, or warn them of danger.
Lakota mythology is a living belief system, still subscribed to by both the Lakota and some outsiders, including Caucasians. There is a prophecy that stated Iktomi would spread his web over the land. Today, this has been interpreted by some contemporary Native Americans to mean the telephone network, and then the internet and world wide web. Iktomi has been considered by the Lakota from time immemorial to be the patron of new technology, from his invention of language he gave to the people to today's modern inventions, such as the computer or robots. Many Lakota today consider Iktomi to be the god of the Europeans, who (they claim) seem to readily follow in his (to them) bizarre behavior and self entrapping tricks.
Because the Lakota mythology is word of mouth, and traditionally there were no written records, most of the information about Iktomi in Lakota mythology has not been written down or recorded. He has lived on in the retelling of tales and the religious traditions which are passed on from generation to generation, into the modern day.
igmuska's Details
Status:
Married
Here for:
Networking
Orientation:
Straight
Hometown:
AntiNuclearville
Body type:
6' 0" / Average
Ethnicity:
Native American
Zodiac Sign:
Pisces
Children:
Someday
Education:
Some college
Occupation:
Nihilistic Iconoclast
igmuska is watching synergy converge...NO NUKES, NO COAL, NO URANIUM MINING NO MORE LIES Posted at 8:22 AM Mar 14 view more
I am extremely and audaciously active in anti-war, anti-globalization, anti-nuclear, Native American (Lakota), environmental and civil rights issues. Contradict me and I will crush you with your own ideals and falsehoods; share with me what you believe to be true with an open heart, mind and free spirit, and I will show you wonders you never could imagine or thought possible!
Love the perfect way of Truth and Life.
Place Good as foundation of your home,
Justice as a measure of your life,
Love as adornment,
Wisdom as wall of defense,
Truth as the light.
Only then you will come to know Me
and I shall reveal myself to you.
--Beinsa Douno
Who I'd like to meet:
FELLOW ANTI-NUCLEAR ACTIVISTS
I also want to meet more like-minded, action-oriented protectors of our Earth; if you are one, please join our growing network on one of the links listed on this page. Let us become one in the eyes of the Great Spirit and protect our earth, our homes and our lives together!
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using your words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.
From the book "The Four Agreements"
The people in the long run are going to do more
to promote peace than our government.
Indeed, I think that people want peace so much
that one of these days government better
get out of the way and let them have it.
Dwight Eisenhower, 1959
In the name of God, let us abolish nuclear weapons.
New Abolitionist Covenant
We are the curators of life on earth,
standing at a crossroads in time.
We must awake from our false sense of security
and commit ourselves to using democracy constructively
to save the human species.
Helen Caldicott
We reject violence completely,
because the structural violence caused by this decision
to place these missiles or to continue the arms race
on both sides is violence.
Petra Kelly
To end the danger of nuclear war the nations must
not merely freeze nuclear weapons but abolish them.
Randall Forsberg
We must protest if we are to survive.
Protest is the only realistic form of civil defense.
E. P. Thompson
PLEDGE
"I, Harold J. One Feather, pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."
PLEASE SUPPORT REFORMING THE 1872 MINING LAW
http://www.earthworksaction.org/1872.cfm
The 1872 Mining Law is the cause of all of our nation's environmental devastation, allowing hardrock mining companies the legal right to extract gold, silver, uranium and other minerals from National Parks and other public lands; although without paying any royalties or guaranteeing reclamation of their mines.
Generally the hardrock mining companies, rather than reclaiming their devastation, declare bankruptcy, leaving their responsibilities to the public and the US EPA Superfund (which I must add is also just as bankrupt).
Support Earthworks and the Westerners for Responsible Mining actions to reform this antiquated legislation for our future generation to enjoy a safe environment.
Long Time no post, glad to see you're alright. Word has it, here in Fresno, California they want to build a reactor in the next 10 years. They annonced it a year and a half ago and haven't mentioned it again to the public here.... I think they're trying to sneek one in on us
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
~~~~ GOOD THINKING 4 ALL OUR RELATIONS... HOW DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT ? We hope well and warm... As did we. Although thers is a heavy burden on our hearts. We here at Good Thinking 4 All Our Relations, are tradotional natives, We follow the " Old Spiritual Ways" with the guidance of our elders, and the old spiritual ways we have been gifted with the ability to see clearer and objectively. And because of this we are presently helping the First Nations People, who are living in THIRD WORLD conditions. Yes here in America there are many native people living in THIRD WORLD conditions. Not all native tribes have casinos, in fact out of the 562 federally reconized tribes only about 220 have casinos on their reservations. of these 220 casinos many are not owned by the tribe whos land their built on. Out of all the casinos on tribal land 75% of all gaming revenues that go to the actual tribe, go to 12% of all tribes with gaming facilities. these and other facts are available on the web pages below. This infomation is being given to eleminate the belief that all indians have casinos. Some have very little, even more have nothing at all. Here at GOOD THINKING 4 ALL OUR RELATIONS. We could use some help, with blankets and coats to send to the children and women in need of the most basic off things WARMTH. PLEASE HELP US, HELP THE CHILDREN. For more details contact us at goodthinking4allourrelations@yahoo.com
Lehman Brightman-Ethnic Studies Lecture SFSU Oct 8th 2009
Dr. Lehman Brightman-National President of United Native Americans,Inc, Will have a lecture/ discussion on the trials and tribulations we as First Nations People endured to implement Native American /Indigenous studies on the UC and CSU level.
When: Thursday October 8th 2009, 2:10pm-3:25pm.
Where: Cesar Chavez Student Center, San Francisco State University.
For More Information Visit:
Ethnic Studies 40 Years later. Race, Resistance and Relevance.
...hey brother. i've been keeping an eye out for you but can't seem to run into ya ! hope all is well.. and as always.... keep fighting the good fight! bri...
What hope do we offer the nuclear race? And what do we do with the nuclear waste? We can’t bury it down, it can’t swim in the sea, So what do we do with this grim legacy? Well I’ll tell you the truth, and I’ll make it quite plain, We can’t shoot it in space, or let it wash down the drain.
So we leave it behind for the kids yet to come, That bittersweet taste of the nuclear bomb.
Well the kids of tomorrow have no words to say For the world we leave and the price they will pay.
Caretakers are we and for what do we stand? For the love of the life on this sacred land.
What hope for the child in this world of ill care Lies deep with the meek on a wing and a prayer, That these Gods will see reason for the land, sea, and air, And the hope in the future for the life that lives there.
Caretakers are we, and for what do we stand? For the love of the life on this sacred land.
What reason for money when you can’t breathe the air? And the oceans and lakes they lay barren and bare, And the streams and the rivers run sewerage and poison With no drink to spair, Caretakers are we, and for what do we stand? For the love of the life on this sacred land.
The ice caps are melting thers holes in the sky, we poison the earth for the sake of a lie, its time for the one and the all standing by to take hold of the reigns and put an end to this crime for we are the meek and now is our time,,,,caretakers are we and for what do we stand,, for the love of all life on this sacred land www. goodisplanetearth.
