The Quest: A Lakota Legend by Charles Richard Latona

White Wolf--an elderly shaman and Wicasa--serves as his tribe's spiritual connection with the Grand Father. As shaman, he must prepare the way for his successor, who will be chosen through ancient rituals designed to reveal true character. As Wicasa, he can only wait for signs from the Great Spirit to know if one will replace him to lead the people in spirit during this trying time. While traveling homeward following a quest that had taken him far from his ancestral mountains, he receives a vision from the Grand Father telling him the name of the next Wicasa: Flaming Eagle, a name he does not recognize. He knows the four young men who are candidates to become shaman and must consider their achievements and character as they strive for manhood. Although plagued by emotions regarding the unknown, White Wolf strives to maintain balance with nature while honoring the traditions passed down through the ages as he prepares the way for the next generation of his tribe. Meanwhile, he and his tribe must deal with the ever-present terrorism of nearby savages as well as the foreboding specter of the future invaders. Set in the early history of native North Americans, this novel presents a complex view of a society in which White Wolf and Flaming Eagle must strive to be worthy of their people beyond their roles as warriors and providers.

A Lakota boy comes of age and finds his courage in Gift Horse, a picture book from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson. When Flying Cloud’s father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become inseparable: They spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious turn: He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe’s horses—including Storm—Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true warrior? The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from S. D. Nelson, award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the 19th century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of the Lakota history.

White Wolfan elderly shaman and Wicasaserves as his tribes spiritual connection with the Grand Father. As shaman, he must prepare the way for his successor, who will be chosen through ancient rituals designed to reveal true character. As Wicasa, he can only wait for signs from the Great Spirit to know if one will replace him to lead the people in spirit during this trying time. While traveling homeward following a quest that had taken him far from his ancestral mountains, he receives a vision from the Grand Father telling him the name of the next Wicasa: Flaming Eagle, a name he does not recognize. He knows the four young men who are candidates to become shaman and must consider their achievements and character as they strive for manhood. Although plagued by emotions regarding the unknown, White Wolf strives to maintain balance with nature while honoring the traditions passed down through the ages as he prepares the way for the next generation of his tribe. Meanwhile, he and his tribe must deal with the ever-present terrorism of nearby savages as well as the foreboding specter of the future invaders. Set in the early history of native North Americans, this novel presents a complex view of a society in which White Wolf and Flaming Eagle must strive to be worthy of their people beyond their roles as warriors and providers.

Black Elk of the Sioux has been recognized as one of the truly remarkable men of his time in the matter of religious belief and practice. Shortly before his death in August, 1950, when he was the "keeper of the sacred pipe," he said, "It is my prayer that, through our sacred pipe, and through this book in which I shall explain what our pipe really is, peace may come to those peoples who can understand, and understanding which must be of the heart and not of the head alone. Then they will realize that we Indians know the One true God, and that we pray to Him continually." Black Elk was the only qualified priest of the older Oglala Sioux still living when The Sacred Pipe was written. This is his book: he gave it orally to Joseph Epes Brown during the latter's eight month's residence on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where Black Elk lived. Beginning with the story of White Buffalo Cow Woman's first visit to the Sioux to give them the sacred pip~, Black Elk describes and discusses the details and meanings of the seven rites, which were disclosed, one by one, to the Sioux through visions. He takes the reader through the sun dance, the purification rite, the "keeping of the soul," and other rites, showing how the Sioux have come to terms with God and nature and their fellow men through a rare spirit of sacrifice and determination. The wakan Mysteries of the Siouan peoples have been a subject of interest and study by explorers and scholars from the period of earliest contact between whites and Indians in North America, but Black Elk's account is without doubt the most highly developed on this religion and cosmography. The Sacred Pipe, published as volume thirty-six in the Civilization of the American Indian Series, will be greeted enthusiastically by students of comparative religion, ethnologists, historians, philosophers, and everyone interested in American Indian life.

More than 160 tales from eighty tribal groups present a rich and lively panorama of the Native American mythic heritage. From across the continent comes tales of creation and love; heroes and war; animals, tricksters, and the end of the world. “This fine, valuable new gathering of ... tales is truly alive, mysterious, and wonderful—overflowing, that is, with wonder, mystery and life" (National Book Award Winner Peter Matthiessen). In addition to mining the best folkloric sources of the nineteenth century, the editors have also included a broad selection of contemporary Native American voices.