Black Elk

I have been inspired this morning to share with you the incredible visionary that was Black Elk.
As a young boy he fell ill, near death, and experienced a vision that carried him through his life. He was convinced that he would see the great Lakota people live again as they has for their history prior to the American government telling them otherwise.

He was interviewed by John G. Neihardt in 1930 and Neihardt's Black Elk Speaks Being The Life Story Of A Holy Man Of The Oglala Sioux was published in 1932 by William Morrow and Company. Black Elk grew close to Neihardt over the years he knew him and even dubbed him with the name of Flaming Rainbow. There are also several other books available about the man, including The Sacred Pipe recorded and edited by Joseph Epes Brown. It is Black Elk's account of their spiritual rites involving the pipe. Black Elk The Sacred Ways of a Lakota by Wallace Black Elk and William S. Lyon is another that actually shares practical lessons that came from Nick Black Elk when Wallace was young.


Black Elk's Vision
www.welcomehome.org...

The link is to an excerpt from the book Black Elk Speaks that tells of the vision that he had as a child.

He had many visions through the years and lived during the time when the Lakota nation transformed from a free tribe to the corralled people that they became. His insight into his world was incredible, he was the spiritual leader of the entire nation, he was close to Crazy Horse, and he fought and survived the first Wounded Knee massacre. He was also convinced the the sacred hoop would be brought back together and made whole again and that the sacred tree would rebloom. Unfortunately he passed away in 1950 never seeing his visions come to fruition.

There has been speculation over the years though that the resurgence of a Natural lifestyle and returns of ancient beliefs may be the stirrings of that awakening. An awakening that can encompass us all regardless of race or creed. The world is long over due at this point in time for a true change. A step toward Love and away from all of the destruction and control that has reigned for so long. It's a long shot, but an awaking starts with a few and can expand infinitely. We just have to remember that Love is going to be the only way to conquer the beast of war and hate. Maybe Black Elk's visions of a whole hoop aren't too far gone yet.

You have to forgive me, I have been prompted for a couple of months now to reread Black Elk Speaks, and have just not been able due to so many things. If I had there would be much more here in terms of fresh perspective. As it stands I still felt compelled to share this wonderful man with you all. Now I need to go break up a fight. Philamayayapi!

Like there was peace between the Souix, Cheyenne and Pawnee?

a reply to: ketsuko

They were all warrior people. I never claimed peace, but an entirely different lifestyle. The different tribes had their skirmishes and territorial battles, but they also lived very similar lifestyles and generally stayed out of each others way. Everyone in North America has been either forced or coerced into western civilization as we know it. Even the most remote Alaskan villages have been fundamentally changed. It has also happened most often by the hand of the very people who are chosen to lead us.

a reply to: woodsmom

Thank you for posting. I need to refresh my memory as to all of the indigenous spiritual masters.

I am a Cherokee descendant, and have all to often neglected my roots.

a reply to: woodsmom

You just verged very far into "noble savage" territory, and I wanted to point out that very often, the reality is far different than we romanticize it to be.

a reply to: ketsuko

I don't see any romantic interpretation going on thus far in this thread.

I for one embrace the diversity of the Native Americans, whether they all got along or not. The one thing that they almost all have in common is a deep respect for nature and balance. Something the rest of the world needs to consider.

Sorry, had to LOL at this:

Now I need to go break up a fight. Philamayayapi!

(I'm guessing it's a brother thing?

Have you made them read the book?

Thank you for sharing though, now I have yet another book to add.

a reply to: ketsuko

It wasn't my intention by any means. Black Elk himself was an incredible man.
My intent was to simply introduce or reintroduce people to him. In light of the world in general and the current land grab of Lakota lands I felt it was good timing for a reminder. For myself and others.

We as humanity need to slow down and realize that hate will solve nothing. We are so deep into a dark time for humanity in general and yet we have the capabilities to rise above it more than at any point in recorded history. I for one would love to see more people trying to rise above without pushing someone else down to do it.

We are being legislated away from self sufficiency and a more natural lifestyle in favor of a welfare police state. I would like to hope that there is enough awareness out there to prevent it from happening completely, or at least a light at the end of the tunnel that there can be another way.

a reply to: Witness2008

I know I need a good refresher here lately too.
I'm still trying to figure out how to be part of the solution.

a reply to: chiefsmom
Haha!!
Yup, how'd you guess.
They do make it hard to focus on one thing for too long.
They are the best of friends and the biggest rivals.

originally posted by: woodsmom
a reply to: Witness2008

I know I need a good refresher here lately too.
I'm still trying to figure out how to be part of the solution.

Your thread is a good start.

There is a certain irony to all the corporate and federal land grabs going on these days. I have a hard time sympathizing with ranchers who are losing land to corporations through eminent domain, especially given that those ranches once upon a time were inhabited by the indigenous populations.

What I can not abide is the further assault on what little is left for Native Americans. Perhaps suburbia along with all those rural folks will finally be able to read the writing on the wall and step up and do what is right, or else suffer the same insults and assaults that Native Americans have.

It is worth noting that Black Elk was a racist. He constantly used the term "wasichu" which is a derogatory term for white people.

In our pc world where "redskin" can no longer be uttered on nbc without a warning ahead of time, it is only fair to hold all races and cultures to the same standard of accountability and censorship.

Just kidding. Black Elk Speaks made a big impression on me in college where it was required reading for one of my philosophy courses.

a reply to: Witness2008

I agree with you on the corporations taking too much over. It's all about money and power. I have long believed that its hard to truly control a population that is resourceful and capable of feeding themselves. The family farm in general has been destroyed as well. There has been a resurgence in trying to do things naturally, hopefully it can help stem the tide.

I have difficulty with the sins of the father mindset though. Our human history is one of violence and hate. The only way to break the cycles we have ourselves stuck in is to lift above the petty old arguments and work toward a brighter future. Live and let live. Everyone is so busy pushing their personal agendas that there is little room to truly share the beauties of the world. What harm am I causing anyone by collecting rainwater and growing my own gardens or catching and smoking and canning my own salmon. These are illegal acts in places in the country now. Gardens have been torn out and people fined over collecting rain. Bleach poured on perfectly good fresh food that wasn't processed properly. Land taken from people through eminent domain and left vacant due to lack of funding, etc. etc. etc........the list of small grievances runs on forever and just like any bully the line gets pushed farther and farther. The problem is that nothing will ever change until enough people notice, and feeding negative into negative only perpetuates it. So the question remains, how does one best stand up to this with Love and refuse to participate and yet also push against it without hate or violence?

a reply to: Deny Arrogance

The word "wasichu" means greedy people. Seems accurate to me. The whites took everything and still were not satisfied. Nothing racist about it, given that whites were they only ones to steal land and dishonor treaties.

a reply to: Deny Arrogance

He was. Wasicu is a general term used to describe a race that had never been encountered before, it did take on some negative connotations though. The language is an interesting one.



Do you also remember in the book his recollections of the dead members of his tribe and family during and after Wounded Knee? I'm pretty sure I would be bitter toward the people that I saw do that to my family. He was lucky to have been pulled injured from the fight himself. He also made wonderful friends with the man who took the time to seek him out to share his story. Niehardt had a rough time of it at first, but by the end of Black Elk's life he was family.

For the record, Sioux is also derogatory, it means snake in the grass. Lakota was their true name, and Dakota were a nearby brother tribe. Sioux encompasses them all.

I'm glad you have read it! It really is an excellent book.

a reply to: woodsmom

Might you know what the Wanekia is? I looked here and there and only found vague interpretations. Does it represent life itself or the Earth?

And you think the prediction is actually happening right now? I get it that there is a supposed global awakening in the process although i think it is bullcrap and as a way to discard all the problems by pretending that something is unconsciously happening that will solve everything without anyone moving a finger. No i really dont think so, magic is more probable to happen than this deception.. Dont you think the blooming tree could represent something else? I mean whats a blooming tree? Somewhat reminds me of a butterfly coming out of a cocoon... A rebirth? Aint that interesting?

a reply to: _damon

I don't, sorry. I do know that wakan is the sacred and Wakan Tanka is the creator, the all pervasive sacred. Most of the words can be used differently depending on context. I did some study several years back and would love to find a copy of a book that I had borrowed from a friend.

As for the tree, "And now the fourth Grandfather spoke, he of the place where you are always facing (the south), whence comes the power to grow. "Younger brother," he said, "with the powers of the four quarters you shall walk, a relative. Behold, the living center of a nation I shall give you, and with it many you shall save." And I saw that he was holding in his hand a bright red stick that was alive, and as I looked it sprouted at the top and sent forth branches, and on the branches many leaves came out and murmured and in the leaves the birds began to sing. And then for just a little while I thought I saw beneath it in the shade the circled villages of people and every living thing with roots or legs or wings, and all were happy. "It shall stand in the center of the nation's circle," said the Grandfather, "a cane to walk with and a people's heart; and by your powers you shall make it blossom." Excerpt from Black Elk Speaks

It represents a unity among people and the world that we live in. It's not magic, and it's truly not sitting back and doing nothing. It's difficult to figure out exact actions that don't play into the world as it is. Things need to change, but I don't believe that running around like the pair in Vegas is productive either. The dialogue is so stuck on left and right, my way versus your way, that we are simply spinning our wheels at this point and serving the agenda by our inaction. Or we get so busy with life and trivialities that we are distracted from putting our effort into changing it.

I myself have chosen a path different from most. I have devoted my time and energies into teaching my children and producing much of my own food. I try to help people every chance I get, and I stand and speak up when I see a wrong. It doesn't make me popular, it doesn't make life easy by any means. It takes work and effort every day of my life.

And yes, I believe that we could be seeing the start of an awakening that needs to happen. People are so engrossed in their daily trivialities that it seems to be taking quite a lot for people to see what's been happening to the world. How many people do you know that are unaware of the world situation right now? What's happening in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, etc. etc. etc.? How many people do you know that are unaware of what's happening just in the US with current political issues? People in general have been so distracted by technology, conveniences, entertainment, hardships etc. etc. etc. that things have been allowed to happen on a grand scale to entrap us more. I'm finally seeing more people being made aware of the greater world around them. I see more people putting in the conscious effort at it takes to not be a part of the machine. So again, yes I believe, or at least want to, that people are waking up. I don't know that my generation will ever be lucky enough to see a world that lives up to the ideal better, but maybe my grand kids can.

a reply to: _damon

Ok, after a bit of digging, Wanekia was used to reference Wovoka or Jack Wilson. It means " one who makes live" and they looked on him as sacred.

Interestingly enough, Wovoca foresaw our current society very clearly and honestly deserves a thread of his own. There used to be a Native American Prophecy site called wovoca.com that sadly disappeared in the last three to five years.

ETA: it can be found on page 237 of the fourteenth Bison Book printing from August 1971.

I read it years ago and was not impressed. None of that vision came true. And Black Elk is dead so it didn't happen in his lifetime. a reply to: woodsmom

I don't know anyone who doesn't know what's going on in the world. I choose intelligent people to be friends with. If you know people who are unaware of what's going on in the world you either live in a very remote area without tv's or you're not as particular about the people you associate with as I am. Either that or you're one of those people who just think they are better informed than e everyone else. a reply to: woodsmom