SUNRISE CEREMONY - 40th Anniversary of the American Indian Movement and a Vision to come

I was there up early in the morning to catch the first ferry boat with the dancers to Alcatraz Island. Some say as many as two thousand made it to the Island to celebrate the Sunrise Ceremony.

I stood close the inner circle as I always do after paying my respects to Fred, Wounded Knee, and other leaders too many to mention - leaders of the First People who I associate with on the many Shellmound walks and events throughout the year.

The Sunrise Ceremony has evolved and this year many of the local tribes such as the Pomo and the Aztec who hail from Mexico and beyond - danced the ceremonial dances.

The smoke of sage and the tobacco smoke - take you to a special place and wipe the sins and that which is not worthy - making the site holy and awe inspiring.

I was close to the inner circle and witnessed it all. Some of the announcements made each year regarding taking photographs are confusing. I for one want to be respectful but at these ceremonies over the years - the message sent to many present - has been confusing.

While it is true that those that are present witness something unique and more eventful - if not memorable, reminding us that if a few could start a powerful movement and we who come after them - can at the least - keep the movement going and take it to a better place.

I met the family of Richard Oakes. I had met them before at the San Francisco State University at the unveiling of the "We Are Still Here " mural - the last permanent mural on the walls of the Cesar Chavez Student Center - West Plaza and one dedicated to the First People. Aho.

The family of Richard Oakes were gracious to talk to me and let me photograph them. I met many former National Park employees. Many know me personally having served with me at the Presidio of San Francisco when I worked for the Department of Interior and the National Park Service. Many other friends from San Francisco and elsewhere - and it was all good.

There were many speakers, each wanting their fifteen minutes of fame. There was a singer from Alaska and he hit the right note with some meaningful lyrics.

The sun came up and that unique light blessed all and within the thousands that stood and witnessed what was happening - there was peace and a unity that calls for more events such as these - to remind us all of a better time and retake what once belonged to the First People but now has been stolen by the strangers and defiled.

Over the years the National Park Service has bent backwards to accommodate this ceremony. I am sure thousands of dollars have been accrued by the Operators that ferry the thousands across this day. There could have been better lighting so that those that pay so much - at least receive the minimum is being facilitated linked to health and safety.

The organizers try hard to be creative and this is good.

I do not know if any tribe has perfected the Sunrise Ceremony in contemporary times. It would have been nice to have one single ceremony - say the Eagle Dance - followed by a prayer before. Then after this spiritual break-fast the other dances and mundane speech making.

I may be wrong but as the years go by - I really do not feel too many spiritual leaders, more shamans - speak with authority, with the ability to change the forces and bring much good. I see more of the vain, the mundane, and the shallow - crying to the Great Spirit for a better - spirituality.

Guest were called and they were no where to be found - I heard the name Ann Mary Sayer and Eric Mar - one arrived late and the other failed to show up.

The Great Spirit knows it all - those in the inner circles, outer circle, and the universe - that have a pure heart. How many of those who took the opportunity do you think spoke and thought with the heart? If the Shamans of old were there - without a word - you would have seen miracles!

I have captured a little in the photographs that I took. I cannot make it to Alcatraz every year - but those years I do - I write about it. I know there are millions out there in the world that would want to witness this SUNRISE CEREMONY - but cannot. This is for you.

If you learn something, experience something, feel something in your heart, some compassion for all living beings on this Earth - you will have made this old man feel good:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157622881354112/show/



Francisco Da Costa


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