Sedona resort sweatlodge: Two dead, three critical condition, dozens others ill


Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

October 11, 2009

Sedona, Ariz. resort sweatlodge. Photo Courtesy ABC 15.com

A pricey Sedona, Ariz., resort reportedly charged people up to $9,000 for a resort stay that included purification in a sweat lodge. The so-called ceremony, however, went awry when guests became ill inside the lodge. More so, two people died and three others were critically injured. It's been reported that the lodge was roomy enough to fit up to 64 people. That's a commercial-sized sweatlodge, a monstrosity the likes I've never seen. ABC 15.com quoted a man named Blackwolf, an American Indian spiritual leader, who said once you start charging people for spiritual enlightenment -- and killing people, too -- it is no longer a spiritual occasion. Blackwolf equated it to prostitution. See the story.

Jodi Rave

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

(Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation)

Founder & Editor in Chief

Location: Twin Buttes, North Dakota

Spoken Languages: English

Topic Expertise: Federal trust relationship with American Indians; Indigenous issues ranging from spirituality and environment to education and land rights

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Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

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Sedona resort sweatlodge: Two dead, three critical condition, dozens others ill | Buffalo’s Fire