July 16th. TeePee Medicine Ceremony
July 18th -21st. Purification
July 21st. is also Tree Day
July 22nd - 25th SunDance
Hi, friends and relatives.
My name is Quentin Little Brave. I was born and raised in Oglala, South Dakota. I am a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I was raised by my mother’s parents and her family members. This side of my family was involved in some of the traditional Lakota Ceremonies, including; Sundance ceremony and Sweat Lodge ceremony. When I was seven, my grandmother and I were at a Sundance to support my 68 year old grandpa. My grandpa came out of the arbor because he was not well. My grandma put a dish rag around my waist and told me to go dance and pray for him. That was the beginning of my journey with this way of life. Since then I’ve danced every year, and have had the opportunity to dance with the Northern Cheyenne in Montana and Arapaho tribe in Wyoming. When I was in my mid to late twenty’s I received my altar from my Uncle and I have been helping and leading this ceremony since then.
I want to acknowledge Durwin White Lightening. I met him in California some years ago when he asked me to assist him with one of his Sundance’s. There we talked about our visions and what we had in common. He said he appreciated that I like to keep things traditional. Last summer he came over to our home and we sweated together. He asked me and my family if we could come out to New York next year and help him. We told Durwin we would think about it. At this time we have made a decision to help him with your commitments. We would like to express our sympathy to all for the loss of Durwin.
I will bring with me my wife and three of our children.
Through my journey I have found that the best way to keep this prayer is the way I learned it, simple.
Prayer ties:
100 of each color. White, Yellow, Red, Blue or Black white and an additional five white ones. Totaling 405
Flags of each color, plus 1 green one, and 1 purple one.
Some form of medallion, which hangs approx. at the heart chakra.
A red skirt
Sage crowns and bracelets and ankles.
It would be good to have an eagle bone whistle, and fan but, not necessary.
Ropes (1/4“ sisal) rope and pegs for those who are piercing.
Bed roll.
Sweat towel
Sweat shorts
It is preferred to dance barefooted.
No dogs allowed on Sundance grounds for multiple reasons.
Dancer should try to arrive at the camp site a few days early if possible. Dancers are expected to help prepare the grounds. It would be nice to have this done by the time purification day comes. This will also give us an opportunity to meet each other.
~Quentin Little Brave
