Mary Crow Dog Essay

Mary Crow Dog is a woman of the Brule Tribe from the Sioux nation. The Brule Tribe is from the Western Sioux, which is known as Lakota (5). Mary Crow Dog spent her time growing up at a Catholic missionary school called St. Francis Boarding School (4). Her transition from growing up in a Catholic school to embracing her Lakota culture and religion during times of Native American oppression by the U.S. government can be best explained using Bruce Lincoln’s definition of a religion from Holy Terrors. Lincoln’s definition of religion is applicable to both polytheistic and monotheistic religions, because the definition focuses on explaining four principles that are imperative for any religion. Lincoln believes that in order for a religion to be

Lincoln defines a set of practices as “practices whose goal is to produce a proper world and/or proper human subjects, as defined by a religious discourse to which these practices are connected” (6). The Sun Dance ritual is performed annually during the summer, and it is a way for the Lakota people to help the people they love. “A similar religious concept lies behind the Sun Dance, where the participants pierce their flesh with skewers to help someone dear to them” (253). Furthermore, “Indians give of their own flesh, year after year to help others” (253). The Sun Dance provides an outlet for the Lakota to sacrifice and feel the suffering of those around them. It makes them a better person, because they are thinking of others rather than themselves.

Although there was an absence of the Ghost Dance ritual prior to Mary Crow Dog’s life, Leonard Crow Dog performed it again at Wounded Knee and brought it back to life (145). The Ghost Dance occurs throughout Mary’s life after her time at Wounded Knee, thus she is exposed to the practice. Similar to the Sun Dance, the Ghost Dance ritual bring the community together, shares aspects of self-sacrifice, and develops a connection between the dancers, religion, and natural world. By participating in these rituals, a person can become a better person and more connected to their religion and

Lincoln defines a community as “whose members construct their identity with reference to a religious discourse and its attendant practices” (6). The Lakota shared religious discourse and practices. The Sun Dance, Ghost Dance, and use of peyote allow the Lakota to foster a community and communal rituals. The discourse and practices construct their identity as Native Americans, specifically Lakota people. Mary Crow Dog finds her identity through participating in the Sun Dance and attending peyote meetings. She creates a woman she is proud of by embracing the Lakota religion and becoming a member of the