You remember that my great vision came to me when I was only nine years old, and you have seen that I was not much good for anything until after I had performed the horse dance near the mouth of the Tongue River during my eighteenth summer. Black Elk danceeighteenthgood share on social
The soldiers did go away and their towns were torn down; and in the Moon of Falling Leaves (November), they made a treaty with Red Cloud that said our country would be ours as long as grass should grow and water flow. Black Elk cloudcountryfall share on social
And if the great fear had not come upon me, as it did, and forced me to do my duty, I might have been less good to the people than some man who had never dreamed at all, even with the memory of so great a vision in me. Black Elk dreamdutyfear share on social
I know now what this meant, that the bison were the gift of a good spirit and were our strength, but we should lose them, and from the same good spirit we must find another strength. Black Elk bisonfindgift Change image and share on social
So I took the bright red stick and at the center of the nation's hoop I thrust it in the earth. Black Elk brightcenterearth Change image and share on social
To use the power of the bison, I had to perform that part of my vision for the people to see. Black Elk bisonpartpeople Change image and share on social
My friend, I am going to tell you the story of my life, as you wish; and if it were only the story of my life I think I would not tell it; for what is one man that he should make much of his winters, even when they bend him like a heavy snow? Black Elk bendfriendheavy share on social
The boys of my people began very young to learn the ways of men, and no one taught us; we just learned by doing what we saw, and we were warriors at a time when boys now are like girls. Black Elk beginboygirl Change image and share on social
