Sacred Fireplace Oceti Wakan

"Oceti Wakan (Sacred Fireplace) is a vision shared by Pete Catches Sr. (Petaga Yuha Mani) and his son Peter V. Catches (Zintkala Oyate), both Spotted Eagle medicine men of the Oglala Lakota. In Pete's words, Oceti Wakan is a response to events that have devastated the Dakota people over the past six generations, and is focused on creating a place "for the healing of the family as a whole by rekindling Lakota spiritual values and culture." Sacred Fireplace is part of Pete Catches' contribution to making his vision a concrete reality. A healer and teacher, Petaga Yuha Mani (He Walks With Hot Coals) was credited with reviving the traditional Sundance ceremony among the Lakota. In 1964 he was named Sundance chief by the Oglala Sioux tribal council, the only such distinction in tribal history. Pete Catches lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota throughout his life, and for decades healed and instructed both Native and non-Natives near his home and off the reservation. This book describes his struggles to embrace the Spotted Eagle medicine way, Lakota legends and ceremonies, and reflections on the history and culture of his people and on his own life. Long awaited by those who knew Pete Catches and his work, Sacred Fireplace is a major legacy of his exemplary life and the essence of his teachings in his own words"--Back cover.

Anyone who has read 'Lamedear - Seeker of Vision,' 'Black Elk,' or 'Book of Elders' will want to read this book. It is a book that has been written by two generations of Lakota (Sioux) medicine men, a father & son, from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. These men come from 38 generations of medicine men. They are the Keepers of the Spotted Eagle Way. Pete Catches, Petaga Yuha Mani, was a renowned holy man who was known by his people for bringing the Sundance out into the open in the early 60s. He shares his life in his own words on how he tried not to be a medicine man & finally how he had to enact his sacred dream & how this brought him to a life of service. The authors give you a true & beautiful look into the Lakota world through stories which teach values, creation & legends. They share insights into the Sweat Lodge, Pipe Fast (Hanbleceya), & Sundance; three of the sacred rites given to the Lakota people. You will gain glimpses of the love, the deep rooted sorrow, & the rebirth of the Lakota oyate. This book will prove to be a classic on Lakota culture & spirituality.

A medicine wheel, whole body approach to recovering your life using the principles of mitakiye oyasin, wolakota, and wakanyeja.