Nicholas Black Elk: Medicine Man, Missionary, Mystic

by Michael F. Steltenkamp

Since its publication in 1932, Black Elk Speaks has moved countless readers to appreciate the American Indian world that it described. John Neihardt’s popular narrative addressed the youth and early adulthood of Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux religious elder. Michael F. Steltenkamp now provides the first full interpretive biography of Black Elk, distilling in one volume what is known of this American Indian wisdom keeper whose life has helped guide others. Nicholas Black Medicine Man, Missionary, Mystic shows that the holy-man was not the dispirited traditionalist commonly depicted in literature, but a religious thinker whose outlook was positive and whose spirituality was not limited solely to traditional Lakota precepts. Combining in-depth biography with its cultural context, the author depicts a more complex Black Elk than has previously been a world traveler who participated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn yet lived through the beginning of the atomic age. Steltenkamp draws on published and unpublished material to examine closely the last fifty years of Black Elk’s life—the period often overlooked by those who write and think of him only as a nineteenth-century figure. In the process, the author details not just Black Elk’s life but also the creation of his life story by earlier writers, and its influence on the Indian revitalization movement of the late twentieth century. Nicholas Black Elk explores how a holy-man’s diverse life experiences led to his synthesis of Native and Christian religious practice. The first book to follow Black Elk’s lifelong spiritual journey—from medicine man to missionary and mystic—Steltenkamp’s work provides a much-needed corrective to previous interpretations of this special man’s life story. This biography will lead general readers and researchers alike to rediscover both the man and the rich cultural tradition of his people.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Cultural, Religion, Native American

296 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2009

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

So often when you hear the term ‘clash of cultures’ you think of war, hatred and misunderstanding. But in the case of Medicine Man, Missionary, Mystic Black Elk, two seemingly different cultures converge bringing Wisdom, Understanding and Love—for those willing to look for and accept it.

Steltenkamp’s book is not an easy read. Do not think you will pick it up and find easy solutions. I found myself reading and rereading many parts of it. At the same time, I skimmed other parts, such as the sacred pipe ceremony chapter which was extremely detailed. I read just enough to see how the beauty of the ceremony would be mesmerizing and meaningful to participate in, while not so to read about. The vision chapter also gave me trouble, but I appreciated the painstaking efforts the author takes to verify his information through letters, interviews and other extensive research.

In Nicholas Black Elk, Steltenkamp establishes his many reasons for writing two books about this deeply holy man*, considered ‘holy’ by such diverse groups as the Lakota Sioux, American Native Catholics, those who admire the traditional ways of the Lakota People, Roman Catholics from all over the world, other Christians, those of no particular denomination as well as various other associations.

For one thing, Black Elk, or Nick, as he was called by his family and friends, was the one who inspired Steltenkamp to become a priest, although initially the young man, Michael, just came to study Nick out of an interest in traditional Native American spirituality as many did when they read the first and most popular book, Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, 1932/1961/1972.

As Fr. Steltenkamp met and learned more, he discovered that Neihardt’s book wasn’t even ½ the story of Nick’s amazing life and even what it told of his knowledge and participation in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Wounded Knee, the Ghost Dance and Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show was limited and skewed. Since that book’s release in 1932, there have been a number of other books written about Black Elk, which have attempted to set the record straight:

The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux, 1953/1971/1989
The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt
Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala
Black Elk and Flaming Rainbow: Personal Memories of the Lakota Holy Man and John Neihardt
Nicholas Black Elk: Medicine Man, Catechist, Saint

Two significant things about this list:
1) the first two books were republished three times, and each new publication met a new generation with different perspectives who used the books to serve their own purposes, rather than to try to understand the man himself.

2) the list is far from comprehensive as Black Elk is included in just about every Native American history, history of the ‘settling’ of the western United States and compendium of famous/important leaders of American ‘Indians’. Steltenkamp’s glossary is overwhelming.

The other most important reason for Steltenkamp’s writing this book was to fulfill his promise to Black Elk’s children, his son, Benjamin and especially his devoted daughter, Lucy Looks Twice who asked that their father’s deep devotion to his Catholic faith be written about. Although this was mostly accomplished in his earlier book, Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala, some points there were disputed by Neihardt’s daughter, Hilda, thinking she was defending her deceased father’s reputation not realizing he had come full circle to recognizing the disservice done to Black Elk by ignoring his expanded faith in Black Elk Speaks.

So often we bring our own prejudices to light when we judge the beliefs of others. We seek to purify or separate into black and white, Indian and Catholic what cannot be easily categorized. It makes things simpler for us but does not lead to truth or peace or brotherhood among all. Black Elk’s life was—is—a perfect example of that, why he is a saint for today and why this book has to be read carefully, slowly and with much discernment.

Black Elk did not abandon his traditional beliefs; he incorporated them into his Catholicism and the priests he loved and who loved him understood that and worked with him to integrate his culture into the Catholic faith. His ‘red’ road was the ‘straight/narrow path that leads to Life’ and the ‘black’ road was the ‘wide path that leads to destruction’. Jesus was the Star Boy of Lakota folklore who came down to earth and was rejected by all to bring us the Love of the Great Spirit. The Lakota are already taught to love everyone. Black Elk didn’t need Christianity to learn that. But he did need it to find out there were white people who knew it too. His life spanned a critical period in Lakota history and American history. He was also a fervent Native American catechist to the Lakota; someone who bridges two cultures and has so much to teach all of us.

Black Elk’s cause is up for Sainthood. I plan to continue to read more about him as he inspires me to look deeper into my own beliefs, understandings and behaviors, to cull out my prejudices, wrong thinking and wrongdoing so I can live a more loving life as he did.

Black Elk, brother of us all, pray for us!


The first was Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala.

[Fr. Peter Calabrese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the book though i expected more of a direct biography. It focused a great deal on the evolution of the historiography of Black Elk. This was the first title I came upon and it raises and helps resolves many questions regarding the relationship between Native religious traditions and Christianity through an analysis of the life of Black Elk who is now being considered for a Cause of Canonization. I think I want to read the author’s other work on Black Elk. Holy Man of Oglala before I give the definitive review of this one. Bottom line. Yes read it it is timely considering the promotion of his Cause for sainthood and concerns about respect for Native traditions

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICHOLAS BLACK ELK: MEDICINE MAN, MISSIONARY, MYSTIC
: Michael F. Steltenkamp

When I saw the Black Elk name and South Dakota I knew I wanted to listen to this audiobook. I was born in northeastern Wyoming. Before I was born my uncle, aunt, and parents were missionaries at Wounded Knee. They left there before my birth, but we took many trips to Mt. Rushmore where I remember Ben Black Elk. My mother died shortly before I turned 11 in 1968, and I went to live with relatives across the country. My Dad and I didn't talk much about the early times until shortly before his death in 2014. Unfortunately by that time he suffered dementia. I lost the chance to learn more from him.

I wanted to know if there was a connection between Ben and Nicholas. I was amazed within the first 10 minutes to learn Ben was his son. There were many things I learned and found fascinating.



The narration was well done. Charles Henderson Norman gave a good performance.




I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that tells a more complete story of this extraordinary man. I listened to it on Audible, and I found the narrator's voice a bit harsh.

[Suzanne Brayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this instead of Black Elk Speaks. This book gives the whole story of Nicholas Black Elk's life, including his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ till his final days. That other book is a promo for native American Religions.

[Gabbi Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life well lived (an audio review)

I have listened to other books narrated by Charles Henderson Norman, so I was expecting the deep timber and strong voice. For this book, it was perfect.

Although I am Canadian and had never heard of Black Elk, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We have stories of Canadian Indigenous persons throughout our studies and there is always a question of how much of their story is based in reality and how much is added after the fact. For Nicholas Black Elk, I would say much of his story has been now told.

This book is part repudiation and part addition to John Neihardt’s 1932, Black Elk Speaks. In this book, Michael F. Steltenkamp delves deeper into Nicholas Black Elk’s life, examining each documented event in his life, verifying it for accuracy. Everything from Black Elk’s date of birth through to his conversion to the Catholic Church, to his death, is examined in great depth, making this a definitive tome. Although steeped in history, the book had a narrative quality that I enjoyed, bringing to life this famous Indian. It also shed light on some of the dark periods of interactions between Native Indians and the white settlers who clearly felt themselves superior. The treatment of the original people of North America is often shameful and I always hope the situation will improve, but it never seems to.

This book is also full of hope for a man who set a shining example of what a life well-lived looks like. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

[Steven Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work contains new insights (at least for me) into the later life and teachings of Oglala Lakota Holy Man Black Elk. Black Elk was born around 1863, died in 1950, and was the subject of John G. Neihardt's 1932 book "Black Elk Speaks".

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a very interesting and educational book.It makes you want to delve into the subject more. Charles Henderson Norman was a fine narrator.Very precise in pronunciations.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[Luca Urbani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Black Elk rivela la sua grandezza spirituale proprio nella capacità di integrare gli elementi migliori della cultura sioux in una nuova sintesi, una volta conosciuta e accettata la verità cattolica. Della stessa sensibilità danno prova i missionari gesuiti — in gran parte tedeschi e svizzeri — che svolgono il loro apostolato presso i sioux all’epoca di Nicholas Black Elk. Contrariamente a una rappresentazione caricaturale, che attribuisce al missionario un atteggiamento di esclusivo disprezzo nei confronti delle tradizioni religiose locali, i gesuiti delle riserve sioux — assumendo informazioni dai leader spirituali locali, cioè da persone come Nicholas Black Elk — distinguono accuratamente fra religione e magia. Combattono la magia — che del resto sta cadendo in discredito presso gli stessi indiani —, ma valorizzano quanto di positivo trovano nell’eredità religiosa, giungendo a considerare con indulgenza perfino taluni aspetti di fenomeni sincretistici, ma a loro modo spontanei ed effettivamente “popolari” come la Ghost Dance.

[Velvetink]

epub (BookFi.org)

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like learning more about Black Elk, but the biography is too focused on scholarly disputes and is written at times in a polemical style. The author is not a good storyteller.