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.
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