Ben Black Elk Speaks Preserves Lakota Oral History for Future Generations [View All]

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http://makeashorterlink.com/?B24412545

VOA

Jim Kent
Rapid City, South Dakota
13 Jul 2003, 01:08 UTC


Lakota holy man
Black Elk grew up at
the end of the 19th
century. His
participation in the
1876 Battle of the
Little Bighorn and the
Wounded Knee
Massacre in 1890
made him a vital link to the days when
Native Americans still roamed freely
across the Great Plains. But it was his
vision for the future of his people, which
he experienced at the age of nine, which
raised him above other spiritual leaders
and made him a legend among the
Lakota. His wisdom and memories were
recorded by poet and scholar John
Niehardt 70 years ago and have since
become required reading for anyone
interested in Native American culture.
Now, the wisdom and memories of
Black Elk's son, Ben, have been
recorded for a new generation.

"Well, I am Black Elk. Ben. The son of
the famous Indian that you read so much
about in Black Elk Speaks. And, I've
come a long ways. And I've known the
world by experience," says the recording.

During the spring of 1931, Ben Black Elk
translated his father's words for writer
John Neihardt. In the years that followed,
and particularly after his father's death in
1950, Ben Black Elk became one of the
last links to the "old ways" of his people.
He often visited local schools to retell
traditional stories of Lakota history and
culture to students. Some of those
sessions were recorded by Lakota
educator Warfield Moose, Sr., who
entrusted the tapes to his son in 1996