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      Iktomi is a trickster and shift changer.  He has taken on a new face of 
      the enemy – Meth.
 
      There was a Dakota 
      woman who cared for three children by herself.  She was overwhelmed with 
      her work, family and financial problems.  Everyday, she struggled and her 
      heart was sad.  
      The trickster Iktomi 
      shift-changed into the enemy face of the killer-drug Meth.  Iktomi 
      convinced the Dakota mother that Meth could help her work all day and 
      night, be happier, smarter and provide better care for her family. 
      The Dakota woman 
      used Meth every day; soon the drug took over her life.  She became 
      paranoid and thought her children were trying to kill her and locked 
      herself in her closet for three days.  Her sister finally broke in, 
      wrestled her to the ground and tied her up; the mother was sent to 
      treatment.  
      The mother was very 
      sad and ill.  She said that if one of her children had tried to get her 
      out of the closet, she would have killed them. 
      Long ago, our 
      Akicita [Dakota soldiers] kept watch for enemies who would raid our camps 
      and harm our families.  Now the face of the enemy has changed to drugs and 
      alcohol.  The Creator gave the Dakota the Red Road to see the real face of 
      Iktomi as the enemy Meth.  The woman asked for help and the Creator gave 
      her wisdom and knowledge on the dangers of Meth.  She beat her drug 
      addiction and sent Meth away from her life, children and her home. 
      
      This is a true story.     |