Sweat Lodge Deaths Bring Light to Cultural Appropriation

Last week, two people died in a sweat lodge ceremony associated with self-help guru James Ray, whose works are largely about becoming more financially successful. Besides, the obvious tragedy of the event itself, the incident helps to underscore the continued cultural appropriation western culture commits against Native American traditions.

Traditionally, sweat lodges have a highly spiritual purpose and provide ritual purification and connection with the spirit world. They aren't about money, yet the approximately 60 participants in this sweat lodge had paid $9000 or $10,000 be part of the five day retreat of which the lodge was a part. Lodges are also traditionally smaller affairs involving only a handful of people.

For Native Americans, the entire event is highly offensive even without deaths being involved. The very significance of the ritual has been stripped away by these commercial endeavors. As Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, explains, it is an honor among his people to even be able to perform the ritual, and it is something that requires years of training. One doesn't just build a tent, stuff people inside, and heat it up like a sauna.

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