Life's journey -- Zuya : oral teachings from Rosebud

"Our people are very lucky to be here," says Albert White Hat Sr. He has lived through a time when Indians were sent to boarding schools and were not permitted to practice their own rituals. Although the Lakota people can practice their beliefs openly once again, things have changed and old ways have been forgotten. As a teacher at Sinte Gleska University in South Dakota, White Hat seeks to preserve the link the Lakota people have with their past. In "Life's Journey--Zuya," White Hat has collected and translated the stories of medicine men, retaining the simplicity of their language so as not to interpret their words through a Western lens. This is Zuya, oral history that is lived and handed down over the generations. White Hat also shares stories from his own experience. Using anecdotes he shows not only how the Lakota lifestyle has been altered but also how Lakota words have begun to take on new meanings that lack their original connotations and generate a different picture of Lakota philosophy. Language, inter-woven with history, tells the people where they came from and who they are. By gathering the tradi-tions and ceremonies in a single volume, with the history of how they evolved, he has secured the meaning of these practices for futre generations. Filled with warmth and humor, Life's Journey--Zuya is an enjoyable and enlightening read. Our People Are Very Lucky To Be Here, Says Albert White Hat Sr. He Has Lived Through A Time When Indians Were Sent To Boarding Schools And Were Not Permitted To Practice Their Own Rituals. Although The Lakota People Can Practice Their Beliefs Openly Once Again, Things Have Changed And Old Ways Have Been Forgotten. As A Teacher At Sinte Gleska University In South Dakota, White Hat Seeks To Preserve The Link The Lakota People Have With Their Past. Here, White Hat Has Collected And Translated The Stories Of Medicine Men, Retaining The Simplicity Of Their Language So As Not To Interpret Their Words Through A Western Lens. This Is Zuya, Oral History That Is Lived And Handed Down Over The Generations. White Hat Also Shares Stories From His Own Experience. Using Anecdotes He Shows Not Only How The Lakota Lifestyle Has Been Altered But Also How Lakota Words Have Begun To Take On New Meanings That Lack Their Original Connotations And Generate A Different Picture Of Lakota Philosophy. Language, Interwoven With History, Tells The People Where They Came From And Who They Are. By Gathering The Traditions And Ceremonies In A Single Volume, With The History Of How They Evolved, He Has Secured The Meaning Of These Practices For Future Generations. I Grew Up In The '40s -- I Want To Bring You Up To Date -- Our Origin Story -- The Tioṡp̄aye System -- Gender Roles, Courtship, Marriage -- Lakota Songs And Music -- Introduction To Our Ceremonies -- Ceremony And Culture -- The Buffalo Calf Pipe -- Care And Use Of The Pipe -- The Sun Dance -- Our Inip̄i Origin Story And Practice -- Origins Of A Gift -- The Contrary -- My First Ceremony -- Family Member And Relative Terms -- Working With Our Healers. Albert White Hat Sr. ; Compiled And Edited By John Cunningham. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Intro -- Contents -- Editor's Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. I Grew Up in the '40s -- 2. I Want to Bring You Up to Date -- 3. Our Origin Story -- 4. The Tioṡpaye System -- 5. Gender Roles, Courtship, Marriage -- 6. Lakota Songs and Music -- 7. Introduction to Our Ceremonies -- 8. Ceremony and Culture -- 9. The Buffalo Calf Pipe -- 10. Care and Use of the Pipe -- 11. The Sun Dance -- 12. Our Inipi Origin Story and Practice -- 13. Origins of a Gift -- 14. The Contrary -- 15. My First Ceremony -- Appendix A: Family Member and Relative Terms -- Appendix B: Working with Our Healers -- Photo Gallery -- Glossary -- Suggested Reading/Listening List -- Index