Luther Standing Bear (1868–1939)

“It is just a message to the White race… No one is able to understand the Indian race like an Indian.” (preface)

Luther Standing Bear autobiography of his life, his story growing up, living traditional Native American lifestyle. Then, with warrior mentality instilled by his father, conforming to new ways of white people by attending Carlise boarding school, learning English language, involvement with Native American relations with government. Humorous stories of observing, then acting as the whites did, with an inside look at how whites disregarded harmony with nature; provided a sense that no matter what happens in life, it will all be ok. Powerful story containing inside look at Sun Dance, Ghost Dance, Wounded Knee, warrior mentality, boarding school children dying, Chief Spotted Tail and Crow Dog.

“I was thinking of my father, and how he had many times said to me, “Son, be brave! Die on the battle-field if necessary away from home. It is better to die young than to get old and sick and then die.” (page 124)

“The next day he complained that he felt sick, and he was again allowed to remain away from school. The following day he died.” (page 159)… (more)

I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories from the Sioux Nation. These were recorded here by Luther Standing Bear and had previously been passed on through oral tradition. I was concerned in the first half of this book because most of these stories were about the adventures of men. Even "The Snow Woman" was about a man who goes wandering in the snow and meets a woman who has run away from her village to avoid an arranged marriage. He ends up marrying the woman instead. Fortunately, as the book went on, there were a couple more stories about women, such as "The Woman who Killed the Owl", and "Grandmother and the Bear". These stories are often about animals and their relationship to Native people.

This would be an excellent text to use when teaching about the history of Native people in this country or as a support tool for teaching about oral tradition.… (more)