Black Elk and the History of the Lakota Native American

Black Elk plays a major role in retelling the history of the Lakota Native Americans. Having witnessed the Battle of Little Bighorn and living through the transfer of Native Americans to the Pine Ridge Reservation, Black Elk can attest to the treatment endured by Native Americans. Black Elk tells the story of a people injured in war and subject to sufferings for the years to follow.

Black Elk was born in 1863 in Wyoming (“Black Elk”). He would later become the Oglala Lakota holy man (“Black Elk – 1863-1950”). Chief Crazy Horse led a group of Sioux Native Americans in government resistance. Being Black Elk’s second cousin, Black Elk was able to closely see the actions of the government towards the Native Americans. In May of 1877, Chief Crazy Horse was killed after surrendering to General George Crook. After suffering the loss, Black Elk and other Sioux headed for Canada, but after a few years, Black Elk moved near Wounded Knee Creek on the Pine Ridge Reservation which was set up for the Oglala. In 1886, Black Elk went on tour with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. Black Elk, after being wounded at the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890, remained on the reservation and later converted to Catholicism. John Neihardt met with Black Elk in 1930 and recorded his life story. Black Elk, at the time, was almost completely blind and was illiterate. The book, called Black Elk Speaks, discusses the Lakota history and their traditions. He died in 1950. Black Elk witnessed many influential moments in Native American history and provided an insight into this time period (“Black Elk”).

After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, Chief Crazy Horse led a resistance against General George Crook in 1876. After Crook’s defeat, Chief Crazy Horse had ...

... middle of paper ...

..., but more importantly as a historian for the Native American people. Black Elk gave insight into life on the Pine Ridge Reservation and was able to make comparison to outside life because of his extensive travel with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show (“Black Elk”). Black Elk will remain a prominent figure in Native American history.

Works Cited

"Black Elk - 1863-1950." Biographies of Plains Indians: Black Elk - 1863-1950 - American Indian Relief Council. American Indian Relief Council, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .

"Black Elk." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

"History of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation." Oglala Lakota Nation. Oglala Lakota Nation, 2012. Web. 08 Dec. 2013.

Martinez, Desiree R. History of Survival: A Pine Ridge Example. N.p.: PBS, 2003. PDF.