The Life of Black Elk
Black Elk (left) and Yellow Hand with the
Buffalo Bill Show.Black Elk was born in December 1863 during a tumultuous period of history for the American Indian. As a child, the traditional way of life still existed, but encroaching soldiers and settlers were changing the landscape. Born during the assimilation period (after the Civil War until 1934), the sacred Black Hills had begun being mined for gold.
Present during the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Black Elk also traveled from 1886 to 1889 with the Buffalo Bill show. He traveled across America and Europe where he met the Queen of England. Upon his return home, he began to practice the medicine given to him through his vision. The Jesuits soon prohibited the old dances, calling them the devil’s work. He soon converted to Catholicism, taking the name Nicholas. Pressed into service as a missionary, he traveled to other tribes for conversion.
There is much speculation about why he decided to share his vision, which was seen as a return to the old ways, and whether or not he had renounced them. The Jesuits were deeply offended by Black Elk Speaks and The Sacred Pipe in which Black Elk relayed more of the traditional Lakota ways to John Epes Brown. When Neihardt asked why he had put aside the traditional ways, Black Elk replied that “my children had to live in this world” (DeMallie).
It is important to remember that Black Elk was also a “warrior as well, his role as a healer and director of ceremonies being inseparable in the old Lakota culture from his role as a warrior” (Rice). As a man, he was expected to fulfill certain communal roles. The protection of his people and family was paramount. Rice argues that even if Black Elk made the complete conversion to Catholicism, it was for survival purposes. He cites the text of The Sixth Grandfather as imbuing Black Elk with his proper status as a man with a sense of humor and dignity.
Read more:
Black Elk, Lakota Visionary
Black Elk and John Neihardt
Black Elk's Vision
Mediator between realities
Spiritual Rituals
The Life of Black Elk
Influence of Black Elk
Recommended Reading and Photo Credits
About the Author