Gift of Power: The Life and Teachings of a Lakota Medicine Man

by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer, Richard Erdoes

With surprising candor, Archie Fire Lame Deer describes the magic and power of the Native American spirit life. Archie's compelling narrative recaptures his boyhood years under the tutelage of his medicine-man grandfather on a South Dakota farm. We follow him from Catholic school runaway to Army misfit, from bartender to boozer, from Hollywood stuntman to chief rattlesnake catcher of the state of South Dakota. And we exult with him when he comes home to the world of spirit.

Genres: Native American, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Spirituality, Native American History

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only ever met Archie Fire Lame Deer once and I have to say he was as admirable a man as Grandpas Wallace & Marcellus.

In this autobiography he tells of his being raised by his Grandfather from the age 7-14 in a two room home without electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing. He was kicked out of school early on because the teachers said: "This boy is not civilized, he can't fit in. He is one of those kids who was raised in a tipi or a earthen-floor cabin by folks who went back to the blanket. They're little savages; you can't do anything with them". Which was fine with his Grandfather & his Uncle, a Tribal Policeman, who told Archie: "You have the greatest teacher there is: your Grandpa Henry. You don't have to go to school, which could make you into someone who's neither red nor white. You can't learn anything from pieces of paper."

Archie talks about the animals he raised and his love for the earth & all living things... he talks of the spiritual lessons he learned from his Grandfather and of the things he learned from the washichu. How when his Grandfather died the priest came and took Archie away to catholic school and how terribly he and the other children were treated.

Archie also talks about: his father John Fire Lame Deer and how they came to have a relationship; his life as a Hollywood stunt-man, his drinking, his family and of the Sacred Ways that he finally returned to, following the teachings of his Grandfather Henry.

This is a very informative & well written book and I'm really glad that Archie was willing to share his knowledge & wisdom, because the truth is; now there are very few "traditional elders" and as I have witnessed first hand the ways & ceremonies are being changed little by little by the ones who were left to take over. Which saddens me greatly.

[Miguel Solari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could have met Archie. He had a beautiful way of telling stories and Richard Erdoes did a great job putting it together. Archie's teachers were his elders the earth and the animals. His life was not easy and full of mundane obstacles like his incredible drinking problem he eventually overcame. Spiritual men come to be in so many different ways and this is a humbling book for anyone willing to pay attention to its many teachings. I especially enjoyed learning of the friendship Archie has with Leonard Crow Dog whom I've also read about and had a chance to meet and sweat with. I highly recommend this book to anyone but especially to those who walk the red road. We can never be too humble to learn from another elders words.

[P.K. Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though the second half of the book provides much insight into the culture and beliefs of the Lakota people, The Gift of Power is not what I expected. Ideally, I expected to be transported by the beauty and mysticism of a devout spiritualism based on respect for Mother Earth and all living beings. However, the author devotes the first half of the book to his biography before becoming a “medicine man.” And while I found his childhood memories relevant and interesting, Archie Fire Lame Deer’s life as a Hollywood stunt man, rattle snake catcher, and rowdy drunk was overlong in the telling, and I’d even venture to say “off point.” Not until much later in life does Lame Deer pursue his spiritual destiny as a “medicine man.”

When the author does finally turns to discuss the mysticism and beauty of the Lakota’s belief systems and culture, he somehow delivers this information more as an ethnographer than practitioner. I mean the information is more fact-based than I expected. To clarify, I was not moved or inspired. However, I understand that his father’s book (Lame Deer: Seeker of Vision) is more authentic in voice and focus. I searched for this on Amazon and read the first two pages (sneak-peek). I found it immensely intriguing and earnest—an elder wise man speaking on direct spiritual experience from his heart and spirit. So I will definitely reader Lame Deer: Seeker of Vision. Again, I don’t mean to dismiss the significant information provided in The Gift of Power, but its telling was not inspired.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'D LOVE TO MEET HIM

Archie Fire Lame Deer is the son of John Fire Lame Deer and succeeded him as head of his spiritual lineage upon his father's death. A "modern" medicine man with an incredible life story. He's funny, charming, impactful, tells the truth. If I were making a list of "must meet" holy men, he'd be on it.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to read at times, Archie is so honest and open when describing his actions and motivations that it is occasionally uncomfortable and really challenges any preconceptions of what a 'Medicine Man' should be.

[happydog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a Lakota medicine man-

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book about an amazing man and culture. I love running water and air conditioning but oh how we've ruined ourselves.

[Marielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting, but a slow read. Archie is funny and is really good at explaining things. Before this I knew nothing about American Indian culture, but now I know a lot! Also, he's really funny ;D

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and enlightening. I am verybhappy that these teachings are preserved to instruct those of us who have never experienced this wisdom.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really inspiring and truthfully relates about how is the life inside the indian reservations in US, but also around the traditional way of life of the lakota nation.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

helped with relearning lakota

[samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stories full of wisdom and insight - I love the way he writes!