Black Elk Speaks

Synopsis

Black Elk Speaks, the story of the Oglala Lakota visionary and healer Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) and his people during momentous twilight years of the nineteenth century, offers readers much more than a precious glimpse of a vanished time. Black Elk's searing visions of the unity of humanity and Earth, conveyed by John G. Neihardt, have made this book a classic that crosses multiple genres. Whether appreciated as the poignant tale of a Lakota life, as a history of a Native nation, or as an enduring spiritual testament, Black Elk Speaks is unforgettable.

 

Black Elk met the distinguished poet, writer, and critic John G. Neihardt in 1930 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and asked Neihardt to share his story with the world. Neihardt understood and conveyed Black Elk's experiences in this powerful and inspirational message for all humankind.

 

This complete edition features a new introduction by historian Philip J. Deloria and annotations of Black Elk's story by renowned Lakota scholar Raymond J. DeMallie. Three essays by John G. Neihardt provide background on this landmark work along with pieces by Vine Deloria Jr., Raymond J. DeMallie, Alexis Petri, and Lori Utecht. Maps, original illustrations by Standing Bear, and a set of appendixes rounds out the edition.

 

Summary

Chapter 1: The Boyhood Visions

* Black Elk, a Lakota holy man, recounts his youth and his first visions.
* At age nine, he sees the Horse Nation, the Buffalo Calf Woman, and the spirits of the natural world.
* These visions guide him to embrace the Lakota way of life and prepare him for his future as a spiritual leader.

Example: "I saw them coming from the west, the Horse Nation, with horses all painted red, and on their backs were men with long white feathers waving on their spears. They came riding through the air and landed on the earth, and they made a great noise."

Chapter 2: The Great Vision

* At age 14, Black Elk undergoes a transformative vision that reveals the sacred history and destiny of the Lakota people.
* He sees the Great Tree, which represents the universe, and the Four Quarters of Creation.
* He is taught about the Six Grandfathers, the spirits who created the world, and their spiritual teachings.

Example: "I saw that the Great Tree was the centre of the world, and that it was the living heart of the universe. And I saw that all things were connected to the Great Tree, and that all things were alive and sacred."

Chapter 3: The Sacred Hoop

* Black Elk explains the concept of the Sacred Hoop, which represents the unity and interconnectedness of all life.
* He describes the ceremonies and rituals that maintain the balance and harmony of the Hoop.
* He stresses the importance of respecting the natural world and living in harmony with the Earth.

Example: "The Sacred Hoop includes the world and all the peoples of the world. It is a circle, and it has no beginning and no end. It is the path of life, and it is the way of peace."

Chapter 4: The Ghost Dance

* In 1889, the Ghost Dance movement sweeps across the Lakota nation, promising a return to the old ways and a reunion with the deceased.
* Black Elk participates in the Ghost Dance and experiences visions, but he ultimately recognizes its false promises and its role in the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Example: "I saw the ghosts of our people dancing in the sky, and I heard them singing. They were happy, and they were calling us to come to them."

Chapter 5: The Renewal of the Lakota Way

* In the aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre, Black Elk witnesses the destruction of the Lakota way of life.
* He travels among the people, teaching them the sacred traditions and encouraging them to find hope in their heritage.
* He becomes a symbol of resilience and renewal for the Lakota nation.

Example: "The Lakota people had lost their land and their way of life, but they had not lost their spirit. And I knew that as long as they had their spirit, they would survive."