"If this were The Onion, the headline would be something funny like MIDDLE-AGED WHITE WOMAN FINDS GOD IN LAKOTA SWEAT LODGE.

But it’s Indian Country Today Media Network and I didn’t find God. What I found was a sizeable chunk of myself, a really effective purification practice for body, mind and emotions, and a major point of reference on my somewhat checkered spiritual journey.

But if you know Lakota people, you’ll find my headline funny. They’re always talking about doing everything “in a good way”—from participating in ceremony to taking out the garbage. It cracks me up. So after seven years of being around Indian people as a reporter for ICTMN, I’m finally going Native—in a good way—thanks to ceremony.

I give thanks to Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy, the sacred white buffalo calf born June 16 on Peter Fay’s ranch in Goshen, Connecticut, for bringing me to the sweat lodge, and thanks to Peter for taking such good care of him."

Get the Story:
Gale Courey Toensing: Sacred White Buffalo Experience: Going Native, in a Good Way (Indian Country Today 8/13)

Related Stories:
ICT conversation with Steve Stonearrow about Lakota traditions (8/9)
Hundreds expected at naming ceremony of sacred white bison (7/20)
Native Sun News: Sacred white bison born on Connecticut farm (7/17)
Naming ceremony planned for sacred white bison in Connecticut (7/13)