Interview · South Dakota · Nadine Eastman · Sherry Johnson · OSEU 2
Themes: Kinship & family, Treaties & sovereignty, Spirituality & ceremony, Values & generosity, Culture & continuity, Arts & expression, Listening & observation
Learn About questions
Why was the Indian Religion outlawed?
What changed to bring it back?
What is a Sundance? What happens during a Sundance?
What does a “spiritual way of life” mean?
Learn From questions
Have I ever experienced something clear to me as being “forbidden” in a certain setting or place? How did it feel to not be able to practice it?
What in my life do I consider to be spiritual?
Are there traditions or ceremonies that are important to my life? If so, what are they and why do I participate in them?
Transcripts
The Importance of the Sun Dance
Watch this interview on YouTubeUnderstanding Treaties - Dr. Sherry Johnson & Dr.
Nadine Eastman - OSEU #2
It is our way of life. We are very in touch with our traditional…and we learned it through
our father. So, we have him to thank…that he brought it back. He was one of the first
ones because…all Indian religion was outlawed for lots of years. When it first…when
you could do it out in the open again, he was one of the first ones that brought the sun
dance back to our area. And that was the first sun dance we’ve had…and it’s the
oldest…and it's the one her husband still helps run.
And, you know, Sherry contributes a lot to it. Because she contributes a lot to it, she
pulls all the family in and so we all help as well. That’s where it started with him. It
helped him be a better person by having that spiritual background.
It is our way of life and…I think those that are invested in it are healthier because they
have a solid spiritual background.
Resource text
Learn ABOUT Learn FROM
(deep listening, information) (deep sharing, transformation)
1. Why was Indian Religion outlawed? 1. Have | ever experienced something dear
2. What changed in order to bring it back? to me as being “forbidden” in a certain
3. Whatis a Sundance? What happens setting or place? How did it feel to not
during a Sundance? be able to practice it?
4. What does a “spiritual way of life” 2. What in my life do | consider to be
mean? spiritual?
3. Are there traditions or ceremonies that
are important to my life? If so, what are
they and why do| participate in them?
= OSEU 2: INTERVIEW WITH DRS. JOHNSON & EASTMAN
> WoLakota Project
From the current WoLakota source page:
The Importance of the Sun Dance
Sherry Johnson & Nadine Eastman
Transcript
(deep listening, information)
(deep listening, transformation)
Some indexed text was extracted from scanned material. Check the original source for exact wording and spelling.
Source materials
Transcripts from supplied documents and the current WoLakota source pages. Text preserved as published.