Legends of the Lakota
Type
Book
Authors
Category
General Library Collection
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Publication Year
1976
Publisher
Pages
160
Subject
Lakota -- Folklore
Abstract
"James LaPointe is one of the few remaining Oglala Sioux elders who still remember the old stories, legends and rituals.
A superb storyteller, LaPointe combines the traditional oral folktales with an unusual usage of the English language, offering a unique statement about cultural continuity and individual interpretation.
Legends of the Lakota expresses a new trend in literary endeavor, now seen more frequently as the elders of many tribes probe their memories for the ancient oral literature revealing native beliefs and traditions.
Now 83 years old, LaPointe spent thirty-one years in the Indian service, "holding," as he states, "lowly and modest jobs." Largely a self educated man, his main interest was in military science and mathematics. His present occupation, is "keeping from going under on a fixed income in an inflationary world," he ruefully says.
The LaPointes have four daughters and one son living in California, where LaPointe now makes his residence, "to be near the children and grandchildren."
During World War II, two sons joined the U.S. Navy. The youngest was assigned to the aircraft carrier Hornet. The oldest served on the Destroyer Laffey. "His luck ran out north of Okinawa. Only the youngest returned home," LaPointe explains.
A simple, straightforward man, James LaPointe has put a lifetime of memories into this book. His is the rare talent of the born storyteller, and Legends of the Lakota is the rarest essence of this talent.
The Indian Historian Press, an All-Indian publishing house, takes great pleasure in presenting Legends of the Lakota.
Many legends are found in the work of anthropologists and ethnologists. Invariably, the scholars who have collected these tales, have used them to point up a scientific conclusion, or an anthropological determination.
Seldom is the immense oral literature of the Indian people treated, quite simply, as a classic literature, a literature that has been terribly neglected, and is still unappreciated.
In more popular works, the legends or tales emerge as "pidgin English" renderings told by uneducated natives. The Indian Historian Press hopes that with the publication of this book, native people will be encouraged to enter the field of professional literary accomplishment. In time, such works will be recognized for what they are, the unique contributions of America's only original people."--Book jacket.
A superb storyteller, LaPointe combines the traditional oral folktales with an unusual usage of the English language, offering a unique statement about cultural continuity and individual interpretation.
Legends of the Lakota expresses a new trend in literary endeavor, now seen more frequently as the elders of many tribes probe their memories for the ancient oral literature revealing native beliefs and traditions.
Now 83 years old, LaPointe spent thirty-one years in the Indian service, "holding," as he states, "lowly and modest jobs." Largely a self educated man, his main interest was in military science and mathematics. His present occupation, is "keeping from going under on a fixed income in an inflationary world," he ruefully says.
The LaPointes have four daughters and one son living in California, where LaPointe now makes his residence, "to be near the children and grandchildren."
During World War II, two sons joined the U.S. Navy. The youngest was assigned to the aircraft carrier Hornet. The oldest served on the Destroyer Laffey. "His luck ran out north of Okinawa. Only the youngest returned home," LaPointe explains.
A simple, straightforward man, James LaPointe has put a lifetime of memories into this book. His is the rare talent of the born storyteller, and Legends of the Lakota is the rarest essence of this talent.
The Indian Historian Press, an All-Indian publishing house, takes great pleasure in presenting Legends of the Lakota.
Many legends are found in the work of anthropologists and ethnologists. Invariably, the scholars who have collected these tales, have used them to point up a scientific conclusion, or an anthropological determination.
Seldom is the immense oral literature of the Indian people treated, quite simply, as a classic literature, a literature that has been terribly neglected, and is still unappreciated.
In more popular works, the legends or tales emerge as "pidgin English" renderings told by uneducated natives. The Indian Historian Press hopes that with the publication of this book, native people will be encouraged to enter the field of professional literary accomplishment. In time, such works will be recognized for what they are, the unique contributions of America's only original people."--Book jacket.
Description
vi, l60 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm.
Number of Copies
2
