Lakota Elders meet Indigenous Costa Ricans – explore trade agreements

Two Cheyenne River Lakota elders from Red Scaffold, SD, traveled to Costa Rica February 17-27, 2023, a trip they described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” Manny and Renee Iron Hawk met with representatives of six Indigenous tribes in Costa Rica and began a conversation about the possibility of mutually beneficial trade agreements.

All beef in the small central American country is imported and therefore very expensive. The Costa Ricans are very interested in trading coconuts, plantains, and coffee for bison meat.

Manny (Titunwan Okowozu) said meeting the Costa Rican tribal representatives was “awesome,” like seeing a reflection of himself. “They are our brothers and sisters. …Their struggles are the same as ours: language preservation, land sovereignty, reclaiming traditional culture, being recognized as a nation. … I felt their strong energy.”

Expatriate Brian Ely, who has lived in Costa Rica for eleven years, invited the Iron Hawks to visit. They met Ely in 2019 at an Indian country gathering organized by Zen Peacemakers International. At the time, Ely mentioned that he would like to have them him in visit Costa Rica.

After they attended a Zen Peacemakers “Bearing Witness” Retreat in Poland in the winter of 2022, Ely told them, “You have your passports now…you can come to Costa Rica and visit me.” (NOTE: Read about the Iron Hawks journey to the infamous World War II death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland at www.nativesunnews.today/articles/lakota-elders-bear-witness-at-holocaust-death-camp-in-poland/).

Renee (Tituwan Oohenumpa) says, “(Brian Ely) was our generous and gracious host that also served as our interpreter as the language spoken in Costa Rica is Spanish.” The Iron Hawks traveled to Costa Rica on Friday, February 17. The following day, about 20 friends, neighbors and acquaintances responded to an invitation from Ely and gathered at his home to meet them.

The Iron Hawks say that those who gathered at Ely’s home were very interested in learning about them and their life work of advocating for the Lakota. They were especially interested in hearing about the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre and the repatriation of Wounded Knee sacred belongings back to the tribe.

For the remainder of their stay, the Iron Hawks visited Indigenous elders and activists in six different locations scattered all over Costa Rica. Again, Brian Ely made the arrangements for the meetings and served as translator.

Renee learned and used the phrase “Pura Vida,” which literally means “pure life” in Spanish. In Costa Rica, the phrase is used as both a greeting and as a farewell. More broadly, the phrase refers to a Costa Rican philosophy that encourages the appreciation of life’s simple treasures, slowing things down, celebrating good fortune, and refusing to take anything for granted. “Pura Vida” means living life to the fullest.

Renee said that when she began to say “Pura Vida” in greeting and in farewell, she could tell by the looks on people’s faces that she had made a special connection.

From the tribal representatives, they learned about Central American Indigenous ceremonies and rituals similar to those of the Lakota. They learned about Indigenous arts and crafts. Renee received the benefit of Indigenous healing practices including massage and medicinal tea. One tribe has a fish hatchery and raises tilapia.

They met proactive women who are suffering persecution for their activism and are not backing down. Renee says the women she met are “really strong, all business, focused, and direct.”

One woman very pointedly asked the Iron Hawks immediately upon meeting them, “Who are you and why are you here?” Manny assured her that he and Renee had come in the Wolakota way, meaning the traditional sacred way of peace, balance, harmony, and coming together for mutual benefit. He sincerely hopes that trade agreements can be arranged that will benefit everyone involved.

The Iron Hawks say that the concept of “Pura Vida” is similar to the idea of “Wolakota.” Manny says, “As a Lakota man I want to be balanced, look into my inner space, be an example, and help others any way I can.”

In addition to meeting the Indigenous leaders in Costa Rica, they also saw amazingly beautiful beaches on both the east and west sides of the country, some of them unusual black sand beaches created by volcanoes.

Another impressive experience during the trip was their visit to Rancho Mastatal, “an education center and community rooted in environmental sustainability, meaningful, place-based livelihoods, and caring relationships,” according to ranchomastatal.com. “(Rancho Mastatal) encompasses more than 300-acres of wildlife refuge with beautiful waterfalls, pristine rivers, idyllic swimming holes, impressive trees, extraordinary wilderness views, and intact habitat for the area’s rich flora and fauna.”

Renee added, “It was such an awesome trip … that I will treasure and cherish for my memories. Just beautiful! …I’m 60+ years old. At this age, going to Auschwitz and to Costa Rico within six months has given me lots of food for thought. I’m still processing it all.”

On July 9 – 15, 2023, the Iron Hawks will be co-hosting a Zen Peacemakers Retreat in Wyoming and Montana along with Lakota elders Violet Catches, Wendell Yellow Bull, and Ivan Looking Horse. For more information, go to zenpeacemakers.org/programs/native-american-retreat/.

(Contact Grace Terry at grace@angelsabide.com)

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