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Isuna
Nika
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Native American
Scout Training
The Plains Indians were a proud people famous for their
ferocity as warriors, their uncanny skills as hunters and their deep insights
into the hidden workings of nature. Their understanding of natural cycles
and their philosophy of living in harmony with the earth were revealed
in a beautiful heritage of mystical visions and personal explorations.
The Isuna-Nika which translates form the Comanche as “Echo of the Wolf’s
Howl” is dedicated to continuing the teachings of the Comanche Scouts
as taught by Native Elder Wind Painter. His teachings of the ancient ways
mark the foundation our training is built upon. continues this tradition
by passing on the secrets of the Plains Indians Scouts.
The training includes:
Survival Skills
(traps, shelters, water, plants, fire, crafts, hunting, gathering, stalking)
Nature Awareness
(tracking, observing, base lines, harmony, stealth)
Scout Philosophy
(care taking, pipe ceremonies, vision quests, sweat lodges, medicine)
Scout Martial Arts
(strategies, weapons, hand to hand, raids)
Scout Fitness & Diet
(Natural foods and special exercises)
The Isuna-Nika continues the authentic legacy of Comanche Scout training that was once restricted to members of the Tribe. We follow the traditional four levels of Apprenticeship (corresponding to the four primary directions). Upon completion of these levels the Scout lifestyle may be undertaken.
While we do practice the warrior aspects of the Native American Scout traditions, we strive to impart that their applications were generally defensive and tempered with a great respect for all life. We are neither a martial arts school nor a survival group and put no more emphasis upon warrior training than we do philosophy or nature awareness.
Our Training
Based upon the actual traditions of the Plains Scouts, our School strives
to maintain the highest historical integrity and standards. It is the
Comanche tradition that serves as the basis of our curriculum, but we
also practice aspects of authentic Apache and Sioux philosophies as well.
Training levels
Each level of Scout training consists of elements from the following categories:
Training Methods
& Games
Survival & Wilderness Lore
Traditional Terms & Sign language
Scout Martial Arts & Weaponry
Philosophy & Nature Awareness
Hunting & Tracking Skills
Medicine (Puha / Wakkan) Teachings
Fitness & Diet
We acknowledge Scout status in the traditional way of our elders - with natural objects worn as personal decorations.
The Isuna-Nika started out as a private group practicing Scout arts in a very traditional manner. It embraced the Brave mentality of the warpath and practiced the ancient methods (hand-to-hand, stalking,weaponry, tracking, survival, raiding/ambush strategies, nature awareness, etc) with a fierce determination. Slowly it’s direction began to change and the group found themselves embracing the philosophies and circular path of the Keeper. From that time on the Isuna-Nika reflected the deeper teachings of the Plains Indian Scout and all that it stood for.
The Creation of the People by the Great
Spirit
Their body he made from the earth
Their bones he made from stones of a great mountain
Their blood he made from the dew
Their eyes he made from the depths of the clearest water
Their beauty he created from his own image
The light of their eyes he took from the sun
Their thoughts he made from the waterfalls
Their breath he took from the wind
Their strength he took from the storm
This is the creation of the Scout. This is the path of the Isuna-Nika.
What is Tribes
Tribes is the private Fall gathering of the Isuna-Nika where the group camps in the mountains or plains of Colorado to enjoy each others comapny and attempts to experience the Scout lifestyle as closely as possible to the original ways.