Black Elk SpeaksBlack Elk Speaks

Human RightsHuman Rightsv.v.

Civil RightsCivil Rights

Let’s see if we can come up Let’s see if we can come up with some working defs…with some working defs…

Black Elk SpeaksBlack Elk Speaksoverview and themesoverview and themes

Black Elk Begins: 1866Black Elk Begins: 1866 Huck Finn: Written in 1884Huck Finn: Written in 1884 13th Amendment Ratified in 186513th Amendment Ratified in 1865

Significant ThemesSignificant Themes

• Journey of the HeroJourney of the Hero

• Cultural DisplacementCultural Displacement• Coexistence with NatureCoexistence with Nature• Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny• Redefinition of FreedomRedefinition of Freedom

Material Culture and Themes:Material Culture and Themes:Path to OntologyPath to Ontology

Peace PipePeace Pipe Names of Months/SeasonsNames of Months/Seasons Dancing HorsesDancing Horses CircleCircle Sacred TeepeeSacred Teepee ThundercloudsThunderclouds Scalps/CoupScalps/Coup BisonBison War PaintWar Paint BirdsBirds Flowering TreeFlowering Tree Compass PointsCompass Points

The Oglala SiouxThe Oglala Sioux

Oglala: To Scatter One’s OwnOglala: To Scatter One’s Own Vicinity of the Black Hills, SDVicinity of the Black Hills, SD Key Chiefs:Key Chiefs:

• Crazy HorseCrazy Horse• American HorseAmerican Horse• Crow DogCrow Dog

Sioux Population: 1600 = 5,000,000Sioux Population: 1600 = 5,000,000 1900 = 210,0001900 = 210,000 U.S. Population: 1600 = NegligibleU.S. Population: 1600 = Negligible

1900 = 76,300,0001900 = 76,300,000

The True PeaceThe True Peace

The first peace, which is the most important, is that which The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.This is the real peace, and everywhere, it is within each of us.This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.within the souls of men. ~ ~ Black Elk - Oglala SiouxBlack Elk - Oglala Sioux

Earth PrayerEarth PrayerGreat Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear

my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.green things that live.

You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.things.

Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice. At the center of the Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice. At the center of the sacred hoop You have said that I should make the tree to sacred hoop You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather, bloom.With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather, With running eyes I must say The tree has never bloomed. With running eyes I must say The tree has never bloomed. Here I stand, and the tree is withered. Again, I recall the Here I stand, and the tree is withered. Again, I recall the great vision you gave me.It may be that some little root of great vision you gave me.It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then That it may leaf the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then That it may leaf And bloom And fill with singing birds!Hear me, that the And bloom And fill with singing birds!Hear me, that the people may once again Find the good road And the people may once again Find the good road And the shielding tree.shielding tree.