This is our Grandmother Martina Sherwood, the very best friend and sister of my Grandmother Lima Deloria Lane, in both this world and the Other Side Camp. While always living the highest spiritual values and virtues of the Oceti Sakowin, Unchi Martina was also a very devout Christian, who faithfully prayed at St. Bede's Catholic Church for her entire life.
Sadly, St Bedes was just burned down by the Catholic Diocese of Rapid, despite the strong protests of the Elders and community members of Wakpala, Catholic, Episcopal, Baha'i, and Traditional relatives. We all believe that Sacred Places of the People deserve respect, in the same manner as the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This was a Sacred Cathedral of the Elders and other Wakpala Community Members that honor and understand places of prayer.
As well, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal issued a cease and desist order to the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City, but the Catholic leadership did not respect the legal orders of the SRSTribal Court and burned St Bedes, to the ground, while the Elders and Community Members of Wakpala watched helplessly, as a Sacred Place, they had prayed in for more than 100 years, was needlessly destroyed.
By the way, I did not intend to get into the burning of St. Bede, but I was feeling the great love of Unchi Martina when I "happened" on to her picture. The Spiritual Message, that I can feel and fills my spirit is, "Tokoja's this injustice of the burning of St Bede's needs healing and justice:
1. An in-person apology in Wakpala by the Presiding Catholic Arch Bishop for the very insensitive and disrespectful burning of St. Bedes, in spite of the strong opposition of Elders and Community Members of Wakpala, while violating the Legal Orders of Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court.
2) The return of the St Bedes and to the Community of Wakpala,
3) The building of a Center for the Women of Wakpala, to be defined and planned by the Women of Wakpala, South Dakota. This is what has come to me, after spending the last couple of hours with the picture of Unchi Marina.
4) That the burning and destruction of any other Sacred Place, by the Catholic Church, always include the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the People whose Sacred Place is in danger of being destroyed. If the People say no, then the answer is no!
While it is important to take on big Pipelines, it is equally important to support local injustices like St. Bedes. That is my perspective!
