Book review: “Nicholas Black Elk: medicine man, catechist, saint”

The Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk (1863-1950) was an Oglala Lakota who lived in South Dakota. Nicholas Black Elk is also the subject of the famous book by John Neihardt entitled, “Black Elk Speaks,” (1932) which according to Jon Sweeney contains several errors in it and romanticized the life of American Indians. Jon Sweeney is an independent scholar who has authored several books and writes for “America” and “The Tablet.” He is also involved with Paraclete Press. This book is part of Liturgical Press' People of God series.
    
This book is a biography of Servant of God, Nicholas Black Elk. It serves as an introduction into the life of this possible future saint. Black Elk had been involved in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and traveled to Europe. He eventually returned to the United States and was present at the massacre of Wounded Knee. His story is a bit unusual, in that he was a Lakota medicine man who was converted by Jesuit missionaries who were working among his people. Sweeney tells about this conversion in detail. 

Once Black Elk converted to Catholicism, he became a staunch supporter and catechist. The name Nicholas is the name he took upon his conversion and baptism, as he was baptized on Dec. 6, the feast of Saint Nicholas. He later saw that his Lakota ways could complement his Catholic faith, and he used this to reach out to his people for conversion.
    
On March 14, 2016, the grandchildren of Nicholas Black Elk petitioned Bishop Robert Guss, bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, to open the cause for the canonization of their grandfather. He agreed and presented this cause to the 2017 United States National Conference of Bishops to seek their support for the beginning of the cause. He gained their support, and the cause began to move forward.
    
This book contains a biography portion, a basic chronology, a glossary of Lakota words and phrases, endnotes and an index. There are no illustrations or maps. Nicholas Black Elk is from the Plains region while Saint Kateri Tekakwitha hailed from northeast area of the country. He would be the second American Indian to be canonized if his cause moves forward. This book is highly recommended as an introduction into the life and cause of Nicholas Black Elk and Lakota life. 

Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.