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WHEN WOMEN GATHER, A NATION HEALS AND NOTHING IS WASTED




 

 

Lisa Iron Cloud has just completed her 20th buffalo butcher guiding in Tama Iowa, home of the relatives, Meskwaki. This practice has taken her all over the Plains and Great Lakes. I’ve been witness to the amazing transition of women and communities that have taken action in reviving a way of life.

Butchering is something that she’s always wanted to do since a child. So, when she received her first rifle a Mosin-Nagant, an old- World War II rifle, she shot her first deer. Since then she has made it a point to honor the animal and learn. She always wanted to make sure that every part of the animal was used and learned of its purpose. So, when she had an opportunity to learn from Richard Sherman about buffalo, she took advantage of it.

Richard Sherman, Oglala Lakota, is a renowned biologist and fellow hunter. She’s continues to work with Richard and her other mentors Anita Afraid Of Lightning, Karen White Butterfly and Ralph Bear Killer. They have been the most instrumental in her learning process. Every time she facilitates a meet, she makes sure to credit those that have helped her along the way. She’s very adamant that they were very kind and generous with their knowledge and ability to include Lakota culture in butchering. Because of this process she has made it a point to make sure that the participants that are involved understand that there is going to be mistakes made and opportunities to teach others.

“When you enter a community, you’ll learn about their way of life and every community has their way of butchering or hunting,” Lisa said. With that respect she has built a network of people that have been very helpful in that learning process.

When she started this learning process it wasn’t her intent to make sure that Lakota women’s roles were reassured. Today, however, the woman’s movement has been liberated throughout her workshops. The amount of energy, healing and liberation through women is certainly an immeasurable byproduct of these “get-togethers.” Her workshops are not only for women, men are certainly welcome. When you teach someone anything, you can instruct them, teach to them or as Lisa made successful, allow them to learn for themselves. This process, along with her guidance and ability to talk to participants has let them down a path of success and revitalizing a way of life.

Butchering, much like gardening or even harvesting, is a way of life that many of our ancestors understood. However, like a lot of those “old ways,” has been tucked away in the modern day, sedentary lifestyles. Thankfully though, a movement of people have been working at reviving that way of life. She is hoping to collaborate and join in those that want to secure our Lakota ways; even if it means to help lead butchering gathering. She has been invited to neighboring tribes and communities to help guide. She has taken it upon herself to share as much as she can and learn what others have to teach. Her networking has added her to a great circle of relatives creating food sovereignty in their communities and is looking to learn more.

“I absolutely love the work Lisa Iron Cloud is doing with our traditional Lakota buffalo harvests and butchering, relearning many of our ancestral ways. Her pure spirit and teachings are a blessing for generations to come,” said Sean Sherman, CEO + Founder, The Sioux Chef + Indigenous Food Lab.

Arlo Iron Cloud is Oglala Lakota/Dineh. He writes from the Pine Ridge Reservation.

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