US veterans took part in a prayer ceremony, during which they've apologized for historical detrimental conduct by the military toward Native Americans.
Salon published Clark’s apology to the Natives, which read as follows:
"Many of us, me particularly, are from the units that have hurt you over the many years. We came. We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faced of our presidents onto your sacred mountain."
"When we took still more land and then we took your children and then we tried to make your language and we tried to eliminate your language that God gave you, and the Creator gave you. We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so many ways but we’ve come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service and we beg for your forgiveness."
This was a historically symbolic gesture forgiving centuries of oppression against Natives and honoring their partnership in defending the land from the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Chief Leonard Crow Dog offered forgiveness and urged for world peace, responding that “we do not own the land, the land owns us.”
Photographer Josh Morgan was on the scene and collected the series of intimate photographs
More than 500 people participate in a forgiveness ceremony for veterans on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on Monday.
Veterans receive a blessing of sage during a healing ceremony hosted by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as water protectors continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, in Fort Yates, North Dakota.
Source
Salon published Clark’s apology to the Natives, which read as follows:
"Many of us, me particularly, are from the units that have hurt you over the many years. We came. We fought you. We took your land. We signed treaties that we broke. We stole minerals from your sacred hills. We blasted the faced of our presidents onto your sacred mountain."
"When we took still more land and then we took your children and then we tried to make your language and we tried to eliminate your language that God gave you, and the Creator gave you. We didn’t respect you, we polluted your Earth, we’ve hurt you in so many ways but we’ve come to say that we are sorry. We are at your service and we beg for your forgiveness."
This was a historically symbolic gesture forgiving centuries of oppression against Natives and honoring their partnership in defending the land from the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Chief Leonard Crow Dog offered forgiveness and urged for world peace, responding that “we do not own the land, the land owns us.”
Leonard Crow Dog, a Lakota elder and highly-regarded activist, left, places his hand over Wesley Clark Jr.’s head during a forgiveness ceremony for veterans
Photographer Josh Morgan was on the scene and collected the series of intimate photographs
More than 500 people participate in a forgiveness ceremony for veterans on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on Monday.
Veterans receive a blessing of sage during a healing ceremony hosted by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe as water protectors continue to demonstrate against plans to pass the Dakota Access pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, in Fort Yates, North Dakota.
Source
Gen. Wesley Clark Jr., middle, and other veterans kneel in front of Leonard Crow Dog during a forgiveness ceremony at Standing Rock
Veterans receive a blessing of sage during a healing ceremony
U.S. Air Force veteran Virginia McIntyre, left, shakes hands with chief Arvol Looking Horse
U.S. Army Veterans Tih Kobolson, left, and Aloysious Bell, walk around with a ceremonial smudge stick and feathers
U.S. Army veterans Aloysious Bell, left, and Tie Kobolson, hold ceremonial feathers and a smudge stick
Veteran Tatiana McLee wipes tears from her eyes as she films Lakota elders speak during the forgiveness ceremony.
Maria D. Michael, a Lakota elder from San Fransisco, embraces veteran Tatiana McLee during an emotional forgiveness ceremony
No words here. Just tears, Love and thanks ((( <3 )))
Tears of joy, forgiveness, understanding RESPECT for the First Nations and the veterans who support them. And the world who collectively said, enough is enough, secure the next seven generations with clean water, fresh air honouring Mother Earth
Wonderful! I didn't think I would ever see this. This is what our country needs. Let all of us here in the U.S.A. come together in mutual respect and understanding. All cultures, ethnicities, religions, rich and poor, young and old join together. Strength in diversity.
It is good to see as a european...that also THIS is the USA! I am moved of this healing energy ��