Indian ‘healing circle’ will be open to public at VA center

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 | 10:49 a.m.

Noted American Indian filmmaker and alternative medicine advocate George Amiotte is conducting "healing circle" ceremonies this week at the Addeliar Guy Veterans Ambulatory Care Center.

Perhaps best known for his 1997 award-winning documentary, "Eagle and the Raven," Amiotte, one of the guardians of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Sundance Society, will conduct sessions Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. His first session was held today.

The ceremonies, which help people understand the workings of the mind, body and spirit through traditional Indian spirituality, are open to the public on a space available basis, Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Howard said.

She said Amiotte of Pine Ridge, S.D., has a special understanding of veterans health concerns. He served five years with the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, spending three tours of duty on search and rescue missions.

Amiotte, an advocate for Indian rights and health care, graduated from the North Dakota School of Medicine in 1973 with a mid-level practitioners degree and is considered an expert on post-traumatic stress disorder therapy. For four years Amiotte was a member of the Department of Veterans Affairs Committee for PTSD.

In addition to practicing alternative medicine, Amiotte has lectured nationwide and served as a consultant in the television and motion picture industry.

Amiotte's film, "Eagle and the Raven," won both the 1997 Redearth International Film Festival and Houston International Film Festival best documentary videos.

The film profiles two Indian teenagers who after spending a year in jail for robbery and assault are brought home to Klawock, Alaska, in 1993 to stand before their tribal court, which shockingly banishes them to separate islands, sparking an international news story.

Another Amiotte-produced film, "Warrior's Song," documents the Indian approach to post-traumatic stress disorder. The film addresses the healing challenges facing war veterans through stories told by a group of Indian health experts.

Still another of Amiotte's films, "Coyote Speaks," tells the Lakota creation story through the eyes of the coyote, which the Indians say is God's dog. The coyote serves as the environmental messenger for the new millennium and teaches sacred ways.

Amiotte also has worked as a technical consultant and actor on film productions for the three major televisions networks and American and Canadian public broadcasting systems.

He also has lectured extensively on Plains Indian culture and Indian healing arts.

Howard said it is not unusual for the VA to promote alternative medicine as a means of helping its patients heal.

"We are continuing our commitment to recognizing the diversity of veterans and their health care needs," she said. "Alternative medicine and techniques continue to grow and gain interest from the general public."

She said forms of alternative medicine already in practice at the Guy clinic include use of herbal medicine and vitamins, exercise and spirituality through its award-winning chaplain program.

The healing circle ceremonies are part of the Native American Special Emphasis Program.