Good evening everyone.

 

My name is Kerri - I am not Native American, but am Saami (the indigenous peoples of Norway, Sweden Russia and Finland.)  I just found out about my culture and so many pieces are starting to fall into place.

 

My Godfather was from White Earth and saved my life as a teenager.  I always had a strange connection to Native beliefs and he told me that sooner or later I would yearn to walk the Red Path.  Now I know why - 22 years later.  My ancestors are still not allowed to drum...as it is considered evil and witchcraft.  They were and in some cases are still sent to boarding schools - not allowed to speak their dialect of Saami - definately not allowed to follow their animistic beliefs - and are nomadic to this day - with lands constantly being taken from them - making their reindeer husbandry very very volatile.

 

The joik (song) that we sing are at times very similar to Lakota/Dakota singing. 

When I was at training at the IPA (Indian Police Academy) - I stuck out like a sore thumb...being a six foot blonde.  I met a Lakota woman there who was one of my professors...she is the great great (great??) granddaughter of Lame Deer.  One day she came to me and said she had a vision of me...then taught me to pray to the four directions - I had since stopped doing that - feeling guilty by the berations of a Christian Pastor I no longer go to.  But I do remember her saying...Mitakuye Oyasin (sorry if the spelling is wrong) - We are all related.

 

One of my colleagues is a traditionalist from Ponemah, MN.  He has told me that I am to go to an Elder and request the name, "Woman who walks with wolves..."  however, I have no idea how to go about doing such.

 

I have dreams of wolves and bears - have bad feelings of the religion I was born and raised into (Christianity)...no judging - just my personal observations.  And am currently struggling with a strange yearning I feel - but cannot put my finger on.

 

I appreciate very much your kindness in letting me join.  I look forward to meeting you all.

 

Chi-Miigwetch.

 

Kerri