James Arthur Ray: Go To Jail! Go Directly to Jail!

Today is a historic day because James Arthur Ray is the first plastic shame-on to be held accountable for taking human lives in fake ceremonies. Finally, after more than two years, Ray has been sentenced for his negligence that caused the deaths of Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman.

There’s a lot of mixed emotion in Indian country today. There’s happiness that someone was finally held accountable for perverting our ceremonies, but frustration that the prison term for killing three human beings was so short. Ray was sentenced today to only 2 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $57,514.12. He was given only 2 years for the death of each human being, but is being allowed to serve his sentence concurrently. With time off for ‘good behavior', he may be out of prison in less time than it took to try him.

Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow told the court that he wanted his decision to be based on law, not emotion. Yet, earlier he referred to James Ray as "vile" on an audiotape where he’s barking orders at people gullible enough to believe he had some masterly of what indigenous spiritual practices. The judge made it clear that he intended the sentence to be a deterrent to other frauds seeking to use bogus ceremonies and thought control methods to hustle money from cultural outsiders. Previously, Darrow threw out the defense motion to strike the aggravators that the jury found and stated, "I find that the aggravating circumstance of emotional harm is so strong and such that probation is simply unwarranted in this case.”

While the judge was convinced that it was necessary to punish James Ray for his recklessness, Darrow's concern about the deceased willingness to believe everything Ray claimed also factored into the sentence. Prior to handing down the sentence, the judge wondered out loud why doctors, lawyers, and other educated professional people attending the event did not exhibit any common sense. This seems to indicate that concern over the lack of critical thinking skills on the part of James Ray’s victims may have mitigated his sentence. Judge Darrow admonished Ray saying, "Mr. Ray, when a person has your capabilities to gain people’s trust, there is a large, large responsibility that goes with that trust … They placed their trust and it was violated.” The judge concluded, “a prison sentence is mandated in this case." Yavapai County prosecutor Sheila Polk strongly urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 9 years, 9 months "The defendant led the life of a pretender, and there are predictable consequences when one leads a life of pretense," she argued.

Most of the friends and family members of those who passed in the plastic sweat lodge agreed that it wasn’t about revenge for them; It was all about being accountable. Kirby Brown’s mother’s testimony was both moving and memorable. She testified previously that has come to realize that Kirby should have been more skeptical and has become active in educating the public about the dangers of blind acceptance of those who claim to know something about spirituality. Today, she told the judge, “My heart's been ripped out! My life blown apart!” She strongly criticized the New Age teachings that were promoted by James Ray and the Angel Valley camp and referred to the “horrible fact of Sedona.” Kirby’s mother made a strong statement against those who tried to rationalize her daughter’s needless death as a choice to "transition" and labeled the thinking behind it as “horrifying” and “disturbed.”

Although he wasn’t very convincing, James Ray addressed those in the courtroom and finally expressed remorse for his charlatanism. But instead of forthrightly accepting responsibility for concocting a scam, Ray blamed the deaths on the “arrogance that comes from my industry.” He justified his egotism and arrogance by blaming his behavior on his profession and suggesting that the self-help industry, not his own character flaws, bred ignorance and made him believe his own press.

Since Ray chose not to fight the claims for restitution, the judge ordered him to pay $57,514.12 of the nearly $130,000 the state requested. Most of this will go towards compensating the friends and relatives of those who passed in the bogus sweat lodge for the costs they incurred in coming to the lengthy trial.

While this landmark prison sentence for a plastic is encouraging, people shouldn’t be too confident that this will stop the thousands and thousands of other frauds out there trying to exploit Native American spiritual practices for money. Sadly, this sentence will probably do nothing more than make the existing frauds more cautious and more likely to adopt a “kinder, gentler” approach to the perversion of our sacred rites. There are still thousands of people out there who fraudulently present themselves as “shamans” and "medicine people" and “ascended masters”. The sad reality is that there are more individuals out there determined to sell their own perversions of Native American spiritual practices, to market their twisted and contorted from their own ignorance and arrogance, than any tribe has time or energy to deal with. Someone has already died this year in a bogus vision quest near Sedona, and I doubt that this sentence will do anything to stop the next person from dying in a “kinder, gentler” plastic ceremony run by a more clever huckster with a softer approach to cultural genocide.

Getting James Arthur Ray out of society for two years or less is a good start, but it's only a band-aid solution to the enormous problem of cultural appropriation of indigenous ways of being. Until the root of the problem is addressed, people will continue to be harmed emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually in the many bogus ceremonies offered by frauds who value material wealth over their fellow human beings. The root cause of plastic ceremony deaths are, ignorance, arrogance, deeply instilled racism, white privilege and colonialism. It would be a good thing if James Arthur Ray’s prison sentence served, as Judge Darrow wished, as a deterrent to the plastic medicine people, but experience has taught most Native people that frauds never stop their deceit. Even after being exposed, frauds merely transform themselves into less objectionable versions of themselves. Scam artists become addicted to the easy money and the glory and will do anything to continue their insatiable pursuit of profit and undeserved status. They re-market themselves, fix any flaws in their false persona that gives them away and continue to take people’s money in exchange for spiritual fool’s gold. But these frauds couldn’t make a penny without followers who are all too willing to believe their pretty lies. Until cultural outsiders are willing to take a hard and courageous look at themselves, to look at their privilege and entitlement and their indoctrination from centuries of colonialism, these frauds will continue to seek them out and offer them empty rituals that have no connection to anything spiritual. Those who refuse to look at this reality will continue to risk their welfare and even their lives when they seek arrogantly and out of willful ignorance. I hope the James Ray verdict will be a wake-up call to all those who misappropriate Native spirituality, but I know that all those frauds and exploiters out there will just use this as an opportunity to paint themselves as the opposite of James Ray. Only those with the courage to really look at what is lacking inside them that compels them to seek out Native spirituality as a solution to their affluenza and discontentment with their materialistic society will be safe from the next wave of James Ray wannabes that is surely to come along, dressed in the sheep's clothing of the "kinder, gentler" plastic shaman.





NEWS LINKS:

CNN: Sweat lodge leader sentenced to two years in prison
http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/justice/arizona-sweat-lodge-sentencing/index.html


Reuters: Guru gets two years jail for Arizona sweat lodge deaths
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/18/us-arizona-guru-idUSTRE7AH22420111118


The Guardian: Jail for self-help guru James Arthur Ray over sweat lodge deaths
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/18/arizona-sweat-lodge-guru-jailed


People: James Arthur Ray Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Sweat Lodge Deaths
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20546783,00.html


Associated Press: James Arthur Ray, self-help guru, gets prison time in sweat lodge deaths
http://ktar.com/6/1471663/Ray-gets-prison-time-in-sweat-lodge-deaths


CBS: Guru sentenced to 2 years for sweat lodge deaths
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57327563/guru-sentenced-to-2-years-for-sweat-lodge-deaths/


UPI: Sweat-lodge operator gets 2 years
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/11/18/Sweat-lodge-operator-gets-2-years/UPI-61961321647226/


Phoenix New Times: James Ray Sentenced to Just Two Years in Prison for Sweat Lodge Deaths
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2011/11/james_ray_sentenced_to_just_tw.php


An in-depth article from Self magazine ‘When Self-Help Harms
http://www.self.com/health/2010/09/scary-side-of-self-help

Dorothy Schley: Colorado Springs Spirituality Examiner
James Arthur Ray sentenced today
http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-colorado-springs/james-arthur-ray-sentenced-today



Older Posts

Sweat lodge victim's mother laments Ray's charisma
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=99932


The most racist thing I’ve seen today … I James Ray listened to indigenous people, three need not have died
http://nicdhana.blogspot.com/2011/11/most-racist-thing-ive-seen-today.html


VIDEOS:

Video of Judge Darrow giving the sentence
Self-help Guru Gets 2 Yrs. in Sweat Lodge Deaths
http://youtu.be/iiDULh9Omeg

ABC 15 Video: Self-help Guru gets 2 years in sweat lodge case (this one shows a bit of the perp walk)
http://youtu.be/DWEY5Rasi_0


Arizona v James Arthur Ray in 10 minutes
On ISUMA TV from Iktome Returns Film Collective
http://www.isuma.tv/hi/en/iktomereturns/az-v-james-arthur-ray-in-10-minutes

BLOGS

Twinkie Wrangler’s Takes: This is NOT what a Spiritual Warrior Looks Like
http://twinkiewrangler.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/james-arthur-ray-this-is-not-what-a-spiritual-warrior-looks-like/


Cooked Justice? Disgraced #SelfHelp Guru #JamesRay Will Stew In Short Prison Stint For 3 Deaths!
http://newsjunkiepost.com/2011/11/19/cooked-justice-disgraced-self-help-guru-james-ray-will-stew-in-short-prison-stint-for-3-deaths/


Families Tearfully Tell of Sweat Lodge Deaths
http://youtu.be/KGeni46_PEE


Video of James Ray crying and expressing remorse
Sweat lodge organizer to be sentenced Friday
http://youtu.be/NKGDmhbXm3c

James Ray, White Shamanism and Death
http://youtu.be/tmqEXfZsRCc

UPDATES:

James Ray Sob Fest Part 1
http://youtu.be/i8EaTpAqlIk

James Ray Sob Fest Part 2
http://youtu.be/-7Q-Kw5FUbw



AUDIO


Native America Calling: Monday, November 14, 2011– What is Sacred?
The term “sacred” is thrown around quite a bit in Indian Country. Sacred lands, sacred ceremonies, sacred objects – sacred this and sacred that. The English definition describes sacred as something holy, blessed or revered. But what is the Native grassroots understanding of this term? Can something that is shared with the public be considered sacred, like our tribal dances or our traditional songs? Once they are revealed, do they lose their power or their sacredness? Is it necessary for the sacred to be shrouded in secrecy? Guests include traditional practitioners Boye Ladd (Ho Chunk) and Gladys Jefferson (Crow).
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/nac_past.shtml




Disclaimer:

James Arthur Ray didn't pay me anything to write this blog.

FAIR USE STATEMENT

This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in an effort to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. we believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

As always, graphics are copy-lefted. All anti-racist, pro-indigenous activists are welcome to snag them.

James Arthur Ray: GUILTY!

James Arthur Ray's Trial Date Set

James Ray's trial date has been set for August 31st.

The autopsy reports show that Kirby Brown and James Shore died of heat stroke and Liz Neuman died of massive organ failure and hyper thermia from prolonged exposure to excessive heat.

The families of the victims wanted Judge Warren Darrow to withhold the autopsy photographs and all but the first and last pages of the autopsy report. Thankfully, he respected their wishes.

Please remember James, Liz and Kirby in your prayers today.

The Camp Verde Bugle reports that the trial should run from August 31 to approximately December 17th. If the trial continues the expected 56 days, jurors will only be paid $672.00 during that time, so only those who can afford to take that much time off will be able to judge whether Ray is guilty of manslaughter.

James Arthur Ray has plead not guilty to three counts of manslaughter. It's clear that he has the means to hire a legal team to engage in an extended legal battle to assure his acquittal. Since James Ray refused to issue any refunds, part of his defense may actually be financed with money from the deceased.

Arizona has been hit hard by the recession and very few lower to middle class people are likely to welcome extended jury duty. Consequently, James Ray is likely to have a disgruntled jury.

On the other hand, Ray may face a jury of individuals who also make their living selling spiritual quackery to unsuspecting tourists who may want to make an example of him to protect the fake-shame-man industry. Or they may be reluctant to make an example of Ray for fear of being prosecuted themselves one day.

What about the tendency of Arizona juries to nullify the law of criminal negligence? Can James Ray’s well -paid legal team convince a jury to reject the law out of concern for the fate of this particular defendant? Will plastic sweat lodge peddlers be willing to convict another plastic sweat lodge peddler?

Will the prosecution be able to assemble 12 people who can’t get out of jury duty and who are able to understand and follow the jury instructions? From the information I’ve gathered about Sedona, the jury may be composed predominantly of New Age enthusiasts who distrust logic and reason and are intellectually incapable of evaluating the evidence. Are there 12 people in Sedona who have 3-4 months to kill and who possess the basic cognitive skills to rationally evaluate the evidence and render a fair verdict?

I can just imagine the voir dire questions:

Do you believe that aliens from the Pleiades are influencing our lives on earth?

How often do you receive channeled messages from the archangel Michael?

How many times have you had your chakras aligned in a pay-to-pray sweat lodge?

What kind of sweat lodge are you currently running?

Do you believe the Universe is your cosmic ATM, willing to hand out all the prosperity you ask of it?

Can you see my aura right now?

I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.

For the latest updates on this case, follow the hashtags:
#jamesray or #deathlodge on twitter



Read More About It:

Fidel, N. (1991). Preeminently a political institution: The right of Arizona juries to nullify the law of criminal negligence. Arizona State Law Journal, 23, 1-60.

Horowitz, Irwin A. (2001). Jury Nullification: Legal and Psychological Perspectives. Brooklyn Law Review


NEWS LINKS

UPDATES
March 19, 2010

Stephen Ray Interview Transcript
[tommcfeeley.com/content/Supplement-140-Ray-Stephen-transcript-012510-C23.pdf]

"I think he was grossly negligent and I think he should have to suffer the consequences of that." – Stephen Ray

Stephen Ray gave testimony that James Ray had a bucket of water that he used to splash himself and his assistants, but offered no relief to the participants who paid thousands of dollars for harmonic wealth. Ray also testified that James Ray was adamant about having everyone take a teaspoon full of salt, which only dehydrates a person faster.

"I mean there was a call that he had after which was supposed to be for participants and one of his underlings spoke up and said, 'the people that passed away were in another place and were having so much fun that they just didn't want to come back'. And I thought that was the biggest crock of crap that I've ever heard in my life." – Stephen Ray

Detective Diskin informs Stephen Ray that even if James Ray is acquitted, the Yavapai County prosecutor can still charge Ray with nearly 50 aggravated assaults on behalf of the survivors with neurological problems.



March 18, 2010

Records in Arizona sweat lodge case offer details

"Stephen Ray, who was among the 18 people hospitalized following the ceremony, said he hasn't recouped his sense of taste or smell and still has ringing in his ears, severe headaches and trouble sleeping.

He said "James Ray showed a callous disregard for the participants because of his own ego and greed."

[www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35939247/ns/us_news/#storyContinued]

Verde Independent
The "accidental" ruling by the coroner will not change James Ray's prosecution status
[verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1189&ArticleID=35529&TM=75040.03]

Prescott Daily Courier
The main issue in the James Ray manslaughter case will be his recklessness and disregrad for human life.
[http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=78915&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1086&S=1]



Autopsy Report released 3/17/2010 by the Arizona Daily Star
[www.azcentral.com/ic/pdf/0316sweat-lodge-autopsy-findings.pdf]

Prescott E-news James Ray Appears In Court As Trial Date is Set
[www.prescottenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3223]
This report contains audios of the judge setting the trial date.

Crimesider: Sweat Lodge Autopsies Show People Died from Heat Stroke and Organ Failure
[www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20000640-504083.html]

Autopsy reports released in AZ sweat lodge deaths
[www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4PHcSvMF8pPe_CpIRZejl7OD1vgD9EG156O0]

Verde Independent
James Arthur Ray trial to take 3 to 4 months
[verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=35500]

Camp Verde Bugle:
James Ray trial to take up to 4 months

[campverdebugleonline.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=26035&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=992&S=1]


WKBT Channel 8
Judge issues orders in sweat lodge case
[www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=12150263]

News Talk Radio 97.5
AZ Judge To Decide On Withholding Pics, Autopsy In Ray Case

[www.wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/mar/16/az-judge-decide-withholding-pics-autopsy-ray-case]

The Jailbird Flies the Coup and Starts Tweeting Again

Photo courtesy of Buffalo post

On Friday, February 26, 2010 James Arthur Ray was released from Camp Verde jail. On Thursday, Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Warren Darrow lowered Ray's original bond from $5 million to $525,000. By the next morning at 11:00 am, Ray was able to post bond. For now, he is a free man. The conditions of his parole are that he surrenders his passport, that he doesn’t conduct any more plastic sweats of visions quests and that he not leave the state of California except for work.

Ray’s statement to the public can be heard here:
[www.abc15.com/content/news/northernarizona/sedona/story/Exclusive-James-Ray-breaks-silence-after-AZ-jail/WsFS6zvyGkaeY81wTW9fdw.cspx]


It seems that a lot of frauds featured on Oprah are re-creating themselves these days.
James Frey has re-created his reality to include a fake Indian name – John Twelve Hawks.
Frey told the media, "I will neither confirm nor deny that I am John Twelve Hawks [...] or anyone else ... I will say that I have done, and I am continuing to do, projects that will come out anonymously or with invented names on them,"

Source: http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlLA/lit_101/is_james_frey_going_native_153067.asp

James Ray has been tweeting differently lately. He seems to have abandoned "The Secret" philosophy – well at least he isn’t interested in how he attracted 3 counts of manslaughter – and he’s projecting a more mainstream, Christian image online.

Ray’s choice of quotations may merely be just part of his racist indoctrination in American culture. He may be unwittingly equating light with knowledge and civility and darkness with mystery and savagery from his CORE western Christian beliefs. He seems to have abandoned the create your own reality philosophy and is attempting to re-make himself in a more acceptable, mainstream born-again Christian fashion. I’m sure all this is for a potential jury. Frauds who get caught always re-make themselves and go back to doing exactly what brought in money before. Ray’s going to have to sanitize himself from any bizarre beliefs promoted by the Angel Valley people and present himself to a jury of his peers as a sincere, religious leader who was the victim of a terrible accident. To maintain control over the true believers, Ray has always demonized critical thinking and free debate. His latest tweets are quite chilling when you put it the context of his history of influencing people to take risks with their mental, physical, spiritual and financial health.

"…Aspirants to be noble clay under the Almighty effort, let us advance on chaos and the dark"

Source: http://twitpic.com/15rsmd

and
"If you can't embrace the dark you'll never dance in the light"

"Very few understand that it's the dark that creates and gives birth to greater light. Read the book of Genesis again."

"It's the experiences of the darkness that bring clarity to the light"


It’s not too bright after repeatedly being accused of being a cult leader to talk about turning people into clay, and Ray is a cunning guy. So I’m sure that this quote has a lot of hidden meaning to the true believers who are still out there, refusing to admit they’ve been fooled by this cunning trickster. I know the Angel valley compound uses "light" and "dark" metaphors in their space opera. Either way, Ray is clearly setting up an "Us verse Them" dichotomy to prevent his few true believers from being contaminated by free discourse or critical thinking. It’s not uncommon from frauds who have been unmasked to adopt a persecution complex and paint themselves as Jesus, crucified by the ignorant unbelievers. It should be interesting to see how Ray is "re-born" after the deathlodge incident.

Ray’s fate is now in the hands of a jury, so Ray’s PR team has probably been working on his public image before he faces a jury of 12 of his ‘peers’

I did an internet search for demographics by zip code for
the Angel Valley Retreat in Sedona 86336 and this is what I found:

James Ray’s ‘peers’ are 53.2% female, 92.5% white with a median age of 50.7. 57.4% are gainfully employed with a median income slightly above the U.S. average at $41,966 / year in 1999 dollars. 90.5% have High School diplomas, 38.5 % have Bachelor’s degrees (significantly above the national average of 24.4%)


According to my sources, the people of Sedona who will decide Ray’s fate are also overwhelmingly politically liberal and to open New Age philosophies. The jury pool includes all of Yavapai county, but Arizona only pays $12.00 per day for jury duty, so that lets out almost anyone who's not wealthy enought to afford to take time off for a long jury trial. I hear Arizona is having trouble getting jurors because very few people can afford to take even a day off for the fabulous wage of $1.50 / hour! Also, I hear from skinz in Arizona that there isn’t a lot of love lost between some of the more straight-laced proprietors of businesses that cater to tourism and the Angel Valley people. It should be interesting to see if Ray will distance himself from the people he termed "experts" in his "white papers". I'll definitely be watching how he re-creates his reality in the coming months.



Too bad there can’t be a change of venue to the 57770 code, ey?

The Rick Ross forum has been analyzing Ray’s tweets as the specific, technical persuasion techniques that they clearly are:
[forum.rickross.com/read.php?12,77450,82481#msg-82481]

The Anti-Cult analyzes James Ray’s tweets as being "carefully written and deliberate." He claims Ray is using twitter to contact his followers and maintain control over their thinking so that they see themselves as ‘elite’ and special. This is what all plastic shamans do to prevent their followers from researching their credentials and bizarre paranormal claims.


James Ray’s supporters on twitter are:
http://twitter.com/HermiaNelson

An example of a James Ray true believer is Hermai Nelson:


Hermia tweets to James Ray: "Light can only serves it purpose if darkness exists. My #1passion is bring light into darkness. Wonder why I'm so supportive?"

Hermia tweets to James Ray: "thanks 4 play-by-play tweets. Feel like playing HWW in my head. 3 years ago my new life begins when I saw u in the secret dvd."

James Ray to Hermia : "Is it still uncomfortable 4u to become HUB master faculty member?? Be our speaker at HUB event to pre-sale your book in Nov 6-7."

Without all the attention to the Sedona incident, there would not be so much information about how MLM (Multi-Level-Marketing) Cults attract and manipulate young idealistic and ambitious people.

The willingness to believe on the part of MLM cult members is remarkably similar to the willingness to believe among New Age seekers. That willingness and desperation makes them vulnerable to cults that can take their live savings, their spiritual integrity and even their lives. Let's hope the nons learned their lesson this time.

You can't find spirituality from people advertising it on the internet. It has to come from within. It doesn't come effortlessly or without struggling with your shadows. If you truly want to be a more spiritual person, look within. Look at your relationships to other human beings. Native Spirituality is all about sharing and reciprocity. It doesn't have anything to do with living a long life or attracting wealth. James Ray's philosophies and the philosophies of most plastic shamans who advertise on the internet are completely antithetical to indigenous spiritual teachings. Our spirituality is about sharing power equally and creating community. Selfless giving is what it's all about.


My advise to any non-Indian seeking a spiritual dimension to their life it to look within -- examine your white skin privilege and find ways to balance power in the society you live in. Forget about revisionist history and creating a fantasy past that never existed. Look at the present society you live in and do what you can to make it a little bit better. Native Americans value acts of selflessness, NOT intentions. Spirituality is hard work. If you try to take short cuts, you make yourself vulnerable to cult leaders who manipulate you because of their insatiable lust for power. I hope the trickster James Arthur Ray learned his lesson, but I predict he will just shape-shift himself into a more cunning, more mainstream version of his old huckster self. It would be a great thing if James Ray could learn from his mistakes and really become a different, less self-involved and selfish person. He needs to understand that the Native community isn't fooled by empty promises or claims of good intentions. These things are meaningless if not backed up be real action. We decide who is our friend based on their actions. Our friends prove themselves to be our friends by their actions. A good man shows himself to be a good man by his generosity with people who are less fortunate than he is. James Ray was given many gifts by the creator which he squandered for accolates in the White world. Can he make amends to the indigenous communities he wronged by perverting their spiritual rites? A good start would be to give generously to Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River and especially the Northern Arizona reservations that were hit hard by severe winter weather. Is James Ray capable of "playing full on" and becoming a generous man of integrity? We will wait and we will watch.

BUSTED!!!!

JAMES ARTHUR RAY BUSTED!!!!





James Arthur Ray was arrested today in Prescott Arizona. The charges are even more serious than expected. Surprisingly he’s being charged with manslaughter in the deaths of 3 human beings last October.




Yavapai County officials presented their case to a grand jury on Wednesday February 3, 2010 and an indictment was handed down very quickly, on the same afternoon. The grand jury returned a "true bill" on 3 counts of manslaughter. This means that, after having heard the witnesses for the government, the grand jury is of opinion that there is sufficient cause to put the defendant on trial. The indictment took almost 4 months and alleges that the deaths of Kirby Brown, James Shore and Liz Neuman were a result of James Arthur Ray’ recklessness.

This afternoon, at approximately 3:30 pm, deputies delivered a warrant to James Ray’s at his attorney’s office in Prescott Arizona. Ray surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody at the sheriff's Prescott office to begin booking procedures. He was then transferred to the Camp Verde Detention Center for final processing where he will spend the night and will face a judge tomorrow morning.
I couldn’t find precise statistics, but I’ve been told that the majority of the prison population in Yavapai county is brown – either Native or Mexican. Since Native Americans are placed under correctional supervision at twice the rate of whites in this country, I’m guessing that the great shaman is about to be surrounded by a whole bunch of those Native folk he claims to have such a close association with. The word, Custer comes to mind.

The court considered Ray’s means and his likelihood to flee and wisely set his bond at $5 million. Good Morning America is reporting that Ray is unable to pay the bond so he may have to stay in jail until a trial can be scheduled. That'll give him a lot of time to get acquainted with the skinz inside the iron house. I'm sure they'll be very interested in hearing about how his prosperity philosophy landed him in the pokey.

Arizona Revised Statutes defines manslaughter as:

Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1103

[www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/01103.htm]

Manslaughter; classification

A. A person commits manslaughter by:
1. Recklessly causing the death of another person; or
2. Committing second degree murder as defined in section 13-1104, subsection A upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion resulting from adequate provocation by the victim; or

3. Intentionally aiding another to commit suicide; or

4. Committing second degree murder as defined in section 13-1104, subsection A, paragraph 3, while being coerced to do so by the use or threatened immediate use of unlawful deadly physical force upon such person or a third person which a reasonable person in his situation would have been unable to resist; or

5. Knowingly or recklessly causing the death of an unborn child by any physical injury to the mother.

B. An offense under subsection A, paragraph 5 of this section applies to an unborn child in the womb at any stage of its development. A person shall not be prosecuted under subsection A, paragraph 5 of this section if any of the following applies:

1. The person was performing an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman, or a person authorized by law to act on the pregnant woman's behalf, has been obtained or for which the consent was implied or authorized by law.

2. The person was performing medical treatment on the pregnant woman or the pregnant woman's unborn child.

3. The person was the unborn child's mother.

C. Manslaughter is a class 2 felony.

Manslaughter is a lesser crime than murder. It is defined as the unlawful taking of another life under circumstances that make the criminal less culpable than someone who commits murder. A criminal who's found guilty of manslaughter will usually receive a lesser punishment than if he was found guilty of murder. Manslaughter is usually divided into two types:

• Voluntary manslaughter

• Involuntary manslaughter:
To prove involuntary manslaughter, prosecutors will have to convince jurors that James Arthur Ray took risks he shouldn't have -- and that other, reasonable people, wouldn't have.


James Ray faces three felony counts. Each count carries a penalty of 3 - 12.5 years in prison. However, the actual sentence could range anywhere from probation to the full 37.5 years in prison. James Ray could only serve the time it takes to schedule a trial or he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Unless there is a change in venue, it will most likely all depend on a jury composed of several people who conduct the same type of plastic sweat lodges that Ray did. They may choose to deny their own exploitation of Native American spiritual practices and depict Ray the "one bad apple" making and example of him so they can define themselves as the opposite. They may let him off with probation out of fear of setting a precedent that may one day lead to being charged with a similar offense (jury nullification). How a jury will vote is anyone's guess. Looking at the way James Ray's attorney's are arguing, it looks like they're going for jury nullification to me. Here's an example of the type of instructions a jury may be given. Nevertheless, James Ray's troubles will not end even if he does receive probation. After the criminal trial, James Ray will be facing civil charges as well as possible Federal charges from the Lakota Nation.

James Ray posted what he sees as the facts on his website [jamesray.com/sedona]

Yavapai County Sheriff Steve Waugh issued this media release
You can learn more about the arrest in this link:

YCSO Media release

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at:

(928) 771-3260 or
the YCSO website: www.ycsoaz.gov

UPDATE: February 17, 2010
An up-to-date list of all legal documents in James Arthur Ray negligent homicide case:
[apps.supremecourt.az.gov/docsyav]


UPDATE: February 12, 2010

An interesting development today in Rick Ross's Anti-Cult Forum
Forum member confirms that James Arthur Ray was a $cientologist.
[forum.rickross.com/read.php?12,77450,81975#msg-81975]

James Ray’s right hand man, Josh Fredrickson and his wife, Meagan, spoke with detectives on the condition of immunity from prosecution.
Transcripts of Meagan & Josh Fredrickson’s Immunity Interview are posted on the Salty Droid Blog: Mania Megan’s Memories
[saltydroid.info/mania-megans-memories]

Arizona Republic
No gag order ruling by judge in sweat lodge case
Judge Warren Darrow did not rule on the gag order today. Instead, he took the matter under advisement and advised attorneys to comply with rules governing their conduct.
[www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/02/12/20100212sweat-lodge-deaths-12-ON.html]

KTVK 3 Phoenix
No Gag Order in James Arthur Ray Case
[www.azfamily.com/news/local/84212622.html]
Judge Warren Darrow did not immediately rule Friday over whether a gag order should be issued.

Prescott E-news:
Judge Warren Darrow, Yavapai County Superior Court, ruled against the State’s motion for a gag order in James Arthur Ray’s manslaughter trial.
[www.prescottenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3089]

FOX News Phoenix
Judge Darrow said he would take the prosecutor’s request for a gag order under advisement and reminded attorneys to comply with ethical rules that govern their conduct. Attorney’s for the media also argued against a gag order stating that it would it "severely limit the public's ability to monitor the proceedings."
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/flagstaff/no_gag_order_sweat_lodge_case_021210




UPDATE FEBRUARY 8, 2010

Breaking news: 2nd secret James Ray conference call
[www.examiner.com/x-11245-Philadelphia-Speculative-Fiction-Examiner~y2010m2d8-Breaking-news-2nd-secret-James-Ray-conference-call?cid=examiner-email]

It seems that James Arthur Ray can't legally plead guilty yet. His attorneys were just attempting to manipulate the media by getting the words "not guilty" out into the media and (subliminally?) influencing potential jurors to associate the words "James Ray" and "Not Guilty". IMHO, it’s kind of like trying to get people to associate the terms "Glenn Beck" and "self-control", but Ray seems to be getting desperate and the truth just isn’t working for him.

An Editorial in the Prescott E-news has the entire audio of the James Ray initial appearance. This may be the last information you get on the trial if Yavapai Prosecuting attorney, Sheila Polk has her way.
[www.prescottenews.com/editorials/editorial-not-guilty-plea-errr--not-so-fast]


After James Arthur Ray’s attorneys plastered their faces all over the media, on Good Morning America and Larry King Live, in a transparent attempt to influence a potential jury, Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, has requested a "gag order" hearing. A gag order is a judge's order prohibiting the attorneys and the parties to a pending lawsuit or criminal prosecution from talking to the media or the public about the case. The intent is usually to prevent prejudice due to pre-trial publicity which would influence potential jurors. Based on the "freedom of the press" provision of the First Amendment, the court cannot constitutionally restrict the media from printing or broadcasting information about the case. The prosecutor's tool to stop a case from being tried in the press is a gag order on the participants under the court's control.
While the Gag Order would stop James Ray’s attorney’s from trying the case in the media, it would also stop the public from having access to any information from Yavapai county staff regarding any aspect of this case with the exception of the scheduling of hearings.

Please contact Sheila Polk to protest any limitation on the public's right to be informed about the James Ray trial:
[www.co.yavapai.az.us/ContactUs.aspx?id=15518]
County Attorney's Office - Camp Verde
2830 N. Commonwealth Drive, Suite 106
Camp Verde, AZ 86322


Camp Verde Office
Phone: (928) 567-7717
Fax: (928) 567-7745

Prescot E-News Certain Hearings Cancelled in James A. Ray's Case
[www.prescottenews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3062]
The expedited Reduction of Bail hearing set for Friday, February 12, 2010 at 8 am has been cancelled along with the Early Disposition Court hearing scheduled for Thursday February 11, 2010 at 8:00 am.


Phoenix New Times
Sweat Lodge Prosecutor Seeks Gag Order in James Ray Manslaughter Case
[blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2010/02/sweat_lodge_prosecutor_seeks_g.php]
Prosecuting Attorney Sheila Polk's motive is probably to stop James Ray's PR team from making a pubicity tour and polluting potential juries, but the ax of media censorship swings both ways. The gag order would prevent the public from learning about the trial also.

Larry King Live
See for yourself how James Ray's PR team is spinning this crime.


FOX News Phoenix Prosecutors want gag order in James Arthur Ray Trial
[www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/justice/ray-gag-order-request-2-8-2010]

Arizona Central Prosecutors want gag order in Arizona sweat-lodge case
[www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/02/08/20100208arizona-sweat-lodge-deaths-gag.html]

KPHO 5 Phoenix: Gag Order Sought in Sweat lodge Case
[www.kpho.com/news/22502140/detail.html]

Debunking Nuage 'Detoxification' Quackery



New Wager$ and Neo-Pay-gun$ are fond of claiming that Native Americans used the sweat lodge to "detoxify" the body in a literal, physical sense. Nothing could be further from the truth. Do not be fooled by those claiming to "detoxify" the body with plastic sweat lodges. Even some of our own people are beginning to believe the New Wage psedo-science. This harms us for generations as it confuses our young people and makes it nearly impossible to hand down our authentic traditions with the integrity of their truly beautiful and meaningful symbolism intact. New Wager$ only seem to be interested in living a long life for its own sake, without any commitment to community. To the indigenous mind, this is a selfish, sacrilegious, un-spiritual way of being. There is always a price to pay for this lack of humility.

Quack Watch: "Detoxification" Schemes and Scams by Stephen Barrett, M.D.
[www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/detox_overview.html]

The detox and the cleanse: science and pseudoscience collide
[open.salon.com/blog/aliquot/2009/10/22/the_detox_and_the_cleanse_science_and_pseudoscience_collide]


Sweat Lodge can be Deadly but NOT Cleansing
[www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585068,00.html]

New Age Detoxification Quackery comes from $cientology - It is NOT INDIGENOUS
Meth cops swear they can sweat off toxins (Scientology Quackery)
[www.religionnewsblog.com/19840/scientology-quackery-20]


UPDATE February 6, 2010

Washington Post Employees of sweat lodge leader granted immunity by Felicia Fonseca

Two key employees of James Arthur Ray, Megan and Josh Fredrickson, upon being granted immunity from prosecution are now coming forth with information that Ray erroneously told them that people passing out and vomiting was to be expected in a sweat lodge. Even though Megan Fredrickson was sitting right next to Ray, she still claims she cannot recall much of what he said and did. She told investigators, "James is my boss, so I listened to what he says and I listened to what he told participants."

UPDATE February 4, 2010

Prescot E-news
James Arthur Ray's Hearing To Be Today at 11 am a detailed account
[www.prescottenews.com/latest/james-arthur-rays-hearing-to-be-today-at-11-am]


It has been widely reported that James Ray plead not guilty in court on February 4, 2010. Judge Warren Darrow set a hearing on whether to lower the bond amount for Thursday, February 11th.

KPNX-12 News: James Ray plead not guilty today in court.
[www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/2010/02/04/20100204james-ray-pleads-not-guilty-020510-CR.html]

Phoenix New Times
James Ray pleads not guilty and opts to stay in jail
[blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2010/02/james_ray_pleads_not_guilty_to.php]

Native Protest at James Ray's Court Appearance

The Camp Verde Bugle Native Protesters Hear Ray's Pleas By Jon Hutchinson
[campverdebugleonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=991&ArticleID=25608]

The Intertribal Eagle Feather Law Council claims that James Ray’s practices violate the American Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990.
[www.artnatam.com/law.html]

"We have been given that ceremony by our elders. We are taught to fast. A sweat lodge is never that large and we don't charge for it. We don't sell spirituality. That is greed ... This is a giving-of-life ceremony, not a taking of life." -- J.R. Packhorse, (Ponca, Black Hills Sioux)

Note: An amendment to the American Indian Arts and Crafts, HR 725, bill is being considered that would authorize any federal law enforcement officer to investigate crimes relating to an alleged counterfeiting of Indian arts and crafts. This is significant because it would authorize the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to refer any violations involving the sale of goods misrepresented as Indian-produced goods to any federal law enforcement officer or agency, as opposed to just the FBI. In addition, any federal law enforcement officer would be authorized to conduct an investigation without a referral from the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. [www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr725]


NEWS LINKS

Prescott e-news - the most thorough coverage
Sedona Sweat Lodge Organizer James Ray Arrested
[www.prescottenews.com/latest/sedona-sweet-lodge-organizer-james-ray-arrested]

CNN Video of James Ray's Perp Walk
[www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/04/arizona.sweat.lodge/index.html]

ABC Nighline: Day of Reckoning
[www.hulu.com/watch/125791/abc-nightline-day-of-reckoning]

Nightline investigation - February 3, 2010
[blogs.abcnews.com/nightlinedailyline/2010/02/sweat-lodge-update-james-arthur-ray-arrested.html]



CBS NEWS: Sweat Lodge Guru Faces Manslaughter
[www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGJxOSyzn8M]

USA Today video
[www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-03-sweat-lodge-arizona_N.htm]

Good Morning America
James Ray may be in jail until the trial because he doesn't have the money to post bond.
[http://abcnews.go.com/gma]

San Diego
Survivor Beverly Bunn talks about the arrest
[www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Sweat-Lodge-Survivor-Talks-About-Arrest-83521157.html]
"He only wants one thing, money."

Anderson Cooper 360 blog
[ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/04/james-arthur-ray-arrested]

New York Times
Sweat Lodge Leader Is Indicted in Deaths
[www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/us/05sweat.html]

Los Angeles Times
Self-help guru arrested in Arizona sweat lodge deaths
[www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-sweatlodge4-2010feb04,0,1470682.story]






Please feel free to distribute this information wherever you feel is appropriate. All graphics are CopyLEFTED because I believe in free information for free people. Any indigenous activist/ally is welcome to use them to expose the dangerous philosophies being promoted by New Wager$ and Neo-pay-gun$.


Blog Disclaimer: This is not a paid blog. I do not endorse James Arthur Ray and he has never compensated me in any way. I am not compensated in any way by anyone mentioned on this blog. Nothing on my blogs or websites is for sale and I advocate the purchasing of nothing.



FAIR USE NOTICE:

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, and so on. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.



The material in this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation. Please consult your own appropriate health care provider about the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your own symptoms or medical conditions. The information on this site does not constitute legal or technical advice.

Will Exploitive Pay-to-Pay Ceremonies Finally Be Regulated?

Breaking News: Navajo Senator Seeks to Ban Pay-to-Pray Sweats



Senator Albert Hale, a Democrat from Window Rock, AZ and the former president of the Navajo Nation, has proposed SB 1164 to regulating all pay-to-pray practices that are claimed to be “Native American” and conducted by non-Natives off tribal land. This would include the use of all sweat lodges by non-Natives. The measure requires the Arizona Department of Health Service regulate individuals or businesses that charge people to participate in what are claimed to be "traditional and authentic Native American practices." Violators would be subject to yet-to-be-determined civil penalties. SB 1164 would not restrict what Native Americans can do on reservation lands or off them and would uphold the Native American Religious Freedom Act.

Senator Hale was quoted as saying "Native American rituals are sacred and can be dangerous without training." He went on the further claim, "People should be protected from paying for inauthentic Native American ceremonies."

KPHO News Phoenix quoted Hale today saying, "This process has been a perversion of our traditional ways. The dominant society has taken all that we have: Our land, our water, our language, and now they're trying to take our way of life." Current Navajo Nation president, Joe Shirley added, "We need to be respected. Our ways cannot be abused."

To Contact Senator Albert Hale to voice your opinion on this matter:

Go to this page:

http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=76&Legislature=48&Session_ID=86
or
write:

Senator Albert Hale
1700 W. Washington
Room 313
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Telephone:
(602) 926-4323

Or Fax:
(602) 417-3160

Handwritten, signed letters carry the most weight.

Email: ahale@azleg.gov

Also, Arizonans can also contact Representative Raul Grijalva, who has been very supportive of indigenous issues in the past:
[http://grijalva.house.gov]

James Arthur Ray's name has been in the media a lot lately, but let's not forget the names of the twelve human beings who lost their lives to greed, ignorance and ambition. They were all loved by other human beings. They all had hopes and dreams of becoming better people and those desired were used against them in a most despicable ways. Let's all do what we can to see that no one should ever have to die in a pay-to-pray ceremony ever again.

In Memoriam


Liz Neuman, 49, from Prio Lake, MN died from James Arthur Ray's sweat lodge on October 18, 2009


Kirby Brown, 38, from Westtown, N.Y died in James Arthur Ray’s sweat lodge on October 9, 2009

James Shore, 40, from Milwaukee, WI died in James Arthur Ray’s sweat lodge on October 9, 2009

Lawrence Catholique, 52, from a Chipewyan First Nation's community near Yellowknife died February 9, 2009 alone in a sweat lodge in which he used wood embers - a non-traditional method suggested to him by a New Age non-Native.

Reverend Karen Blomberg, 54, died July 21, 2008 in a Vision Quest conducted by Wilderness Rites of Ashland, Oregon. Non-Native Anne Stine of was responsible for the group that was selling "elder" certificates - something no legitimate Native medicine person would ever do.

Rowen Cooke, 37, Melbourne Australia died in a sweat lodge 2004 conducted by David Jarvis who was associated with Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society.

Kylie Watts, 30, Byron Bay in New South Wales died in a sweat lodge in 2003

Kirsten "Kris" Babcock, 34, Redding, California died in a sweat lodge in 2002 conducted by members of the Sun Bear tribe.

David Thomas Hawker, 36, of Union City, California died in a sweat lodge in 2002 conducted by members of the Sun Bear tribe.

Gordon Reynolds, 43, of Twickenham, West London died in a sweat lodge on November 21, 1996

Kelly Rice, 35, of Austin, Texas, housekeeper and masseuse, died of accidental heatstroke inside a sweat lodge 1993

Ronald Delgado of Santa Barbara California was killed in Archie Fire Lame Deer's 'Vision Quest' on July 12, 1980.


I have always been taught, that when we do nothing in the face of such an injustice, we create a moral imbalance. I want to urge all NDN-born-NDNS to start posting comments, joining online communities and speaking out, write your local officials and create your own blogs. Non-Native people need to hear the true feelings that we have about cultural misappropriation and exploitation of our sacred ways. It's more important than ever that minority NDN-born-NDN voices, that have historically been silenced, be heard now. The internet is a powerful medium. Let's find a way to use it in a good way.

Twelve precious human beings have lost their lives in pay-to-pray sweat lodges conducted by or influenced by ambitions non-Natives who were all later shown to have absolutely no knowledge or understanding of indigenous spiritual protocol and philosophies. There have been many other close calls that were not reported in the manin stream media. In my opinion this legislation is overdue. It's telling to me that it took a Native American member of the legislature to come up with a bill that penalizes non-Natives from profiting from the exploitation of indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices, while taking steps to ensure that indigenous people are still allowed their rights to freedom of religion. I have always been an advocate of culture-jamming and taking the "cool" out of the exploitation of our spiritual ways, but perhaps the solution really lies in taking the profit motive out of this exploitation as well.


Here are several links to the story:
Sen. Hale seeks to Sanction Use of Native American Ceremonies off Tribal Land For- Profit without Permission
[http://www.kpho.com/news/22277044/detail.html]

Former President of the Navajo Nation, Senator Hale seeks to regulate ceremonies off tribal land for profit
[http://www.azfamily.com/news/Hale-wants-to-regulate-Native-American-practices-after-sweat-lodge-deaths-82094217.html]


Regulations sought in wake of sweat-lodge deaths
[http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/01/19/20100119sweat-lodge-deaths-lawmaker-wants-to-regulate.html]


AZ Capital Times
Hale files to bill to regulate Native American rituals
[http://azcapitoltimes.com/blog/2010/01/19/hale-files-to-bill-to-regulate-native-american-rituals/]


FOX 10 NEWS: Lawmaker Wants to Ban Sweat Lodge Use
[http://wap.myfoxphoenix.com/w/main/story/8922914/]

Arizona lawmaker seeks to regulate use of traditional ceremonial practices after “sweat lodge” tragedy
[http://buffalopost.net/?p=6049#more-6049]


Camp Verde Bugle
Lawmaker: Restrict profit from Native American practices
[http://campverdebugleonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=25411]


KWST NEWS
Lawmaker: Restrict profit from Native ceremonies
[http://www.kswt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11846507]

KPHO News
Lawmaker Seeks New Rules After Lodge Deaths
[http://www.kpho.com/news/22277044/detail.html]

Verde News Sedona Sweat Lodge deaths prompt legislation to restrict Native American practices off reservation
[http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=34631]

Native American TimesLawmaker: Restrict profit from tribal ceremonies
[http://www.nativetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2922:lawmaker-restrict-profit-from-tribal-ceremonies&catid=43&Itemid=19]




To remain silent in the face of injustice, is to create a moral imbalance.

Special thanks to Laura from Maria from DDR and RRC for helping me sort out the moral and ethical issues here. Chii Miigwech!

Lakota Nation Calls James Arthur Ray on his Disrespect

"They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept but one - They promised to take our land...and they took it."
-- Chief Red Cloud

Last year, James Arthur Ray made approximately $94 million dollars selling his twisted version of Native American Spiritual practices. While on Pine Ridge, the median income on the reservation is just $3,500 a year and the unemployment rate is 85% . City Data Forum


It seems to have escaped the notice of the so-called alternative media that James Ray perverted the birth right and the cultural property of the Lakota people while pulling in roughly 2700 times the average income of the rightful guardians of that culture. The amount Ray made is approximately 1593 times the average income of the residents of the nearest reservation, Camp Verde. The median income there was a mere $8347 in 2000 with a 33% rate of unemployment. Fish and Wildlife Report
To my knowledge, there hasn’t been a single new story that covers the conditions that the rightful owners of Sedona have to live with. All the attention has been on the harm done a handful of non-NDN people. No coverage has been given to the impact that the Sedona deathlodge incident has on indigenous people.



Well, perhaps there’s hope that this injustice will be remedied.



The Lakota Nation has filed suit against James Ray, Angel Valley and the United States government citing the Laramie treaty of 1868.



The plaintiffs listed are Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis on behalf of the Oglala Nation.
The lawsuit cites articles 1 of the 1868 treaty of Laramie, article 6 of the United States Constitution and articles, 29 and 36 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous people. The plaintiffs argue that under the customs, traditions and cultural values of the Lakota people the Inipi/Oinikaga ceremony is a way of life, not a religion



They argue that “indigenous people are entitled to the recognition of the FULL OWNERSHIP, control and protection of their cultural and intellectual property. They have the right to special measures of control, develop and protect their sciences, technologies, and CULTURAL MANIFESTATION including human and other genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literature, designs visual and performing arts.” (emphasis mine)



The plaintiffs allege that James Ray violated the peace between the United States government and the Sovereign Lakota Nation by impersonating an Indian and by abusing the cultural property of the Lakota people. The plaintiffs are asking that in order to maintain the treaty of Laramie, that James Ray and the owners of the Angel Valley Retreat center be held accountable and prosecuted under United States law.



If they are successful, and it will be difficult, this will be a ground breaking case in defense of the integrity of Native American spiritual life ways.



You can read the Law suit filed by Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis to protect the Inipi/Oinikaga here:


Lakota-Lawsuit-Sweat-Lodge



The full statement made by Longblackcat behalf of Lakota Nation is here:

Longblackcat Statement


Full new story here:

Sedona Biz Article


I support the efforts of Floyd Hand and Ivan Lewis 100%. I’d like to call on all NDN-born-NDNS and our true supporters to call the so-called alternative media on not covering the indigenous perspective on this issue. On emphasizing the harm done Non-NDN people and only presenting the opinions of illegitimate representatives of NDN culture. It only takes a minute to send an email to the alternative media and demand that this issue be covered fairly and responsibly.



For the latest updates, you can follow dontpaytopray on twitter




RESOURCES



POVERTY AND RACE






Poorest places in the US




Fish and Wildlife Report Chapter 7 Potential Economic Impacts of Tribal Activities