This page is dedicated to 
~ Josephine Fire Lame Deer ~

        I have known Josephine for a little over two years now.  I met her father long before that.  ( You can read about that on the   Lame Deer  page.)   Jo has been more than a teacher to me.  She is family, and one of my very best friends.  She is married to a long time friend of my family, who she met here, and she, Harry and Aidan live next door to my husband Rick and I.  When ever there is a question about traditional beliefs, Jo is there, and always willing to share what she has been taught by her Grandfather, John Fire Lame Deer.  ( Lame Deer Seeker of Visions - by Richard Erdoes )

        Although she is young, she is the wisest woman I know.  It is amazing to know someone who has lived in the traditional way for all of their life.  It really makes a difference in the behavior of a person.  She is kind, polite, thoughtful and very funny.  She is a strong woman who walks without fear of what people think of her.  What you could term a quality human being.  She harbors no doubt about who she is, what her life is about or what she is supposed to do with the responsiblity that has been handed down to her.  It is a miracle in this day and age to know someone like that!

        Josephine had a son in February of 1997, and is a dedicated and wonderful mother, with superior nurturing skills.  Aidan is a beautiful child.  He is growing up in a way that is somewhat different, because he is being raised in a traditional family.  His father wrote an article for the Sweat Gazette - Summer of 98 issue.  He talks about raising children on the red road and whether there is a difference from the way kids are raised now-a-days.  If you haven't read it you really should.  It can shine some light on some important issues of child rearing.

        When I met Jo, she was considered the Wicincala Wakan ( holy girl ) for the People.  She was twenty-three and had been a Sundancer for twenty years.  That means, if you do the math, she started dancing at the age of three.  She was the woman chosen by the Sundance Intercessor and Sundance Chiefs to lay the first chop of the ax to the captured enemy (the tree).  That is very special in the eyes of the people.  Only a virgin is allowed that honor.  She did not retire from that position until she was married to Harry Peterson in 1996.

        Joey is also the first recognized Win Wakan ( holy woman ) in over three hundred years of the Sioux Nation.  ( her status changed from girl to woman after marriage. )  The tribe has been without a Medicine Woman for that long.  She is a mother, teacher, wife, healer and a friend.  But more importantly, she is the hope of a whole Nation for the woman's medicine to return.  It has been long in coming, but now she is here and she will be an important figure in history.  It is my very great honor to post this page for her and introduce you to my sister, my friend, Josephine Fire Lame Deer...

        In the beginning of our history, we say there were two tribes.  In one lived a young woman, unmarried and pregnant.  Her father being an important man was angered with her condition, but fearing for the life of her lover, she would not divulge his identity.  Her lover, being a coward, would not either, so she was cast out after the birth of her child.  She began to wander, unable to provide for herself.

        In the meantime, in the only other tribe, a young man was being cast out.  The reasons for his people's dislike towards him was that he held many personality traits the people discouraged.  He was a strong, smart and devoted young man, yet he was also proud to the point of egotistical, a braggart of his own deeds and bravery and vain of his own intelligence compared to others.  Though he pleaded with his people and promised to change his ways, they had to send him and the children watching a message.

        The young woman walked and walked until she was too weak, and just sat on a log to die.  She began to sing to her child and pray to the Creator to save her baby if not herself as well.  Just as she felt faint and was sure her milk would soon dry up, she heard footsteps.  These were still the days when all animals, the two-legged, the four-legged, crawling, swimmng and flying ones could all still communicate with one another.  The woman called out, "Please eat me and my baby so as we do not die miserably without reason."

        She heard the voice of the young man respond.  "I do not wish to eat you.  Why do you and your baby want to die?"

        "We do not."  She explained her situation.

        "I understand."  He explained his situation.

        "What will we do?"  She asked of him and everything around her.

        As they spoke, they noticed a figure coming through the forest towards them.  The figure became an old deer, limping badly on one leg.  The young man thought quickly and as the deer came nearer, he called out, "Uncle, could you please come close and speak a minute?"  The deer looked at him crossly and stopped walking.

        "What do you want?" he snorted.

        "Would you consider giving your life for this young woman and her child?"  the young man asked.

        "Ha, ha, ha !  You must be kidding!"  said the deer.

        "Please Uncle, you are old and crippled.  You will no longer use your seed to bring children forth.  This woman and child are healthy and young and have many years ahead of them."  the young man pleaded.

        "I don't think so.  If you care about them so much, you give your life for them.  I care for no one but myself.  I'll be going now."  said the deer.

        The Creator, listening closely, was upset by the words of the deer.  Hes booming voice came from everywhere, and nowhere; from the outside and in; as he said, "My children, it saddens me to see such selfishness born of the love I have gifted to all of you.  My son, deer, you are old and decrepped, you should have give your life freely to this woman and child."

        "As punishment,"  Tunkashila continued, "this man, I will give the knowledge of weapons and he will forever hunt the four-legged to fill the bellies of his family.  From the four-legged, I will take the ability to communicate with any but your own kind.  This man and woman will become man and woman together and this boy will be called Takche Huste -Lame Deer.  He will become a healer and teacher of the people who seek him out for his connection to the earthly things around him, and the spirits who have wept for his salvation.  I have said it and so it shall be."

        This legend, this name, and this family were born on this day...

         Josephine has traveled around the world teaching with her father Archie Fire Lame Deer.  They have spent much time and effort educating those they come in contact with.  Now that Joey has settled in our small rural area, she spends time teaching and educating the people here in the traditional ways and belief systems of the Lakota people.  She runs Sweat Lodge in Santa Paula, Ca. and can be found on the full of the moon each month holding a woman's talking circle, speaking about woman's issues.  Joey spends a lot of time answering personal questions for the women that attend these meetings.  Men are invited to come and listen, but are not allowed to participate.  ( They are encouraged to watch over the children while she is speaking.  And everyone talks when she is done teaching.)