| Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pine Ridge Reservation |
| Occupation | Lakota keeper of the traditional ways, Activist, Native American Church elder |
| Known for | Sitting on International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers |
| Religion | Native American Church |
| Parents | Antonia Long Visitor Holy Dance (mother) |
Rita Long Visitor Holy Dance is a Native American spiritual elder who is a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and comes from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Through her work as an indigenous elder stateswoman, Rita has gained international recognition through her work as part of the Council of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - a group of spiritual elders, medicine women and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.[1]
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Her older sister Beatrice waited for Rita to wed and they enjoyed a double wedding.[2]
In 2004, Rita was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.[3]
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull and related edicts which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.[4]