Once we were happy in our own country and we were seldom hungry, for then the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds lived together like relatives, and there was plenty for them and for us. But the Wasichus came, and they have… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
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… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
So I took the bright red stick and at the center of the nation's hoop I thrust it in the earth. — Black Elk Copy Share Image
We should understand well that all things are the work of the Great Spirit. We should know the Great Spirit is within all things:… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
Hear me, four quarters of the world-a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles. — Black Elk Copy Share Image
Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
“And I can see that something else died there in the bloody mud, and was buried in the blizzard. A people's dream died there.… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
Grown men may learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
The boys of my people began very young to learn the ways of men, and no one taught us; we just learned by doing… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
I know now what this meant, that the bison were the gift of a good spirit and were our strength, but we should lose… — Black Elk Copy Share Image
