Black Elk - the Sacred Ways of a Lakota by Wallace Black Elk
In a first-person narrative, a Lakota shaman blends an explanation of the mystery and ritual of the sacred pipe with a lively account of growing up Native American.
The author, wlyon@cctr.umkc.edu , November 22, 1997
A rare, first-person account of Lakota shamanism. This is one of the few, first-person accounts of Native American shamanism to be recorded. It surpasses the famed "Black Elk Speaks" by John Neihardt in that none of the material here is made up by the author's imagination. All of the words contained in this book are transcribed directly from audio and video tapes made of Wallace Black Elk over a ten-year period of field work with him. Those readers unfamiliar with the medicine powers of Native American shamans will find this book difficult to believe, given the many shamanic feats and spirit-related events he recounts from his life. Those who do know of such abilities will gain many insights into the mysterious realm of Native American shamanism. As such, this book also serves to demonstrate the efficacy inherent in the traditional use of shamanic powers by Native American shamans.