Archie Fire Lame Deer (1935–2001)

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.… (more)