By Peter Harriman
A simmering controversy over custodianship of the Lakota White Buffalo Calf pipe has ignited again as a Swedish film, "Spirits for Sale," is set for screening.
The film deals in part with the exploitation of Lakota sacred sites, items and ceremonies.
Arvol Looking Horse, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe whose family is the traditional keeper of the sacred pipe, has long been a source of controversy among some Lakota who question whether he is using the pipe for commercial purposes.
Alfred Bone Shirt, a plaintiff in a landmark voting rights lawsuit several years ago, is among those questioning Looking Horse about the pipe.
"We are asking for accountability for the marketing of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe," says Bone Shirt, a Lakota and South Dakotan.
Confusion about Looking Horse's treatment of the pipe "has caused a serious division among our Oyate," according to Bone Shirt.
It has exposed Lakota people to ridicule that the sacred pipe is being used in fundraising schemes, including bringing the pipe and accompanying sacred bundle to Sweden for a price, he says.
Annika Banfield, a member of the project team that produced the Swedish film, firmly denies the pipe will be used that way.
"There has never been a discussion between Arvol Looking Horse and me or the foundation about him receiving money for coming to Sweden. ... We would not try to buy a sacred object of a holy man. ...The sacred bundle will not be brought to Sweden. It stays with the Lakota people," she says.
The complete article is here: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070801/NEWS/708010325/1001
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