The Sundance and Vision quest

The Chief of Chiefs has flown to the Spirit World as he would put it, sometime just after midnight on the night of the 5th and morning on 6th June in South Dakota Rapid City time. That night - on the 6th June an all night ceremony was held at Paradise and on the morning of the 7th June his body was returned to Mother Earth wrapped in a Buffalo robe. On June the 8th a Lakota friend put a feather on his grave for me, alongside a poppy for veterans alongside tobacco. To understand what he meant to me and so many others read extracts from my letter to him written in 2017.

Dear Chief, Highlands of Scotland 14 Dec 2017

Last August I left Paradise without getting a chance to say goodbye before my flight so I am writing to say what I wished to say then. I have struggled with this letter because it is almost impossible to put into words - but I will try.  

Since meeting you in 2003 at Mike Hull’s sundance and coming to Paradise in 2004 your impact on my life has been immeasurable.  It is impossible to imagine how different my world would have been without your teaching or ‘kindling’ as you call it. 

On the hill, and during this last year in particular, I have realised more deeply than ever, how you have held the centre at Paradise against the most enormous odds and I feel immense gratitude for the privilege of being able to tell your story. As a result of your teaching I, and many others, have seen what my own people have lost by killing the indigenous person within ourselves, as well as doing immense damage to your people too. We are all wounded by what has been done to the Lakota and all the indigenous people as well as Mother Nature. You helped me when I was seeking the way within myself, for my culture too has this knowledge, it is just buried and lost. You have helped me peel back the layers and given my life meaning. 

During this 14 years you have also protected me as I have followed my vision to tell the story of your life. When I look back I see how patient you have been. I have gone on a journey and can see the terrible damage caused by the ignorance, both historic and current of my culture. I will treasure your support for me all my life. I hope I can play my part in healing the sacred hoop.

 I hope, whenever the film gets made, it will be a tribute to everything you stood for.  You’ve taught me so much, so I make this film for you and the future generations. 

I am sending you my love, thankfulness and admiration as a daughter would. 

Love Sara

Leonard Crow Dog singing Peyote Songs and Jesus Son of the Sun

Songs Of The Sioux : Crow Dog's Paradise : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Posted 10 June 2021