Fascinating stuff Cameron, thanks for sharing. I only knew the barest facts about Crazy Horse's life. And I never knew you were in SD! One of the few states I don't have any subscribers haha. I'll have to make a visit out there one day, it sounds and looks beautiful.
"The Machine may have killed him, but it never tamed him." Wow.
I remember seeing the Crazy Horse monument years ago on a roadtrip, when I was still a kid. Even at that young age, I remember feeling struck with awe and thinking what a shame it was (is!) that the construction was not being done in greater earnest.
Crazy Horse demonstrates a kind of unflagging conviction and rule of life that not even death or defeat can kill. Thank you for drawing our attention back to him!!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rachel! I didn't mention this (and maybe you already know), but another reason the monument has taken so long is that the Ziolkowski family in charge of its construction has always refused government funding, which I think is a cool statement.
Yes! I am currently reading Black Elk Speaks for the first time, and loved (and was startled by) Against the Machine. Roots and land and people matter-- but we sure like to live like they don't. Good essay, Cameron. See you Friday!
Oddly, I have also been thinking about him, esp. in the context of Kingsnorth's book, so this is timely indeed. I am no great history buff, but my youngest child did a little report on him in 3rd or 4th grade, and he was asked to answer one of the stupidest questions ever (in my opinion): "How did your historical figure make the world a better place?" Somehow I got my poor son more or less to respond: "The world is not a better place, but sometimes all you can do is stand for something and die." This is why I too love Crazy Horse, whatever reality underlies the legacy.
Thanks for reading, J. Tolkien's notion of the "long defeat" also comes to mind, though it's hard to imagine Crazy Horse ever saw his "defeat" as inevitable. (Which, yes, is why we love him.)
Thanks so much for this Cameron! I absolutely loved this piece. Excellently written and wonderfully moving while being still very well researched. I spent some time on the Sioux Creek reservation with some friends who grew up there and there are fewer peoples or parts of the country that I have fonder memories or greater respect for.
Cameron. Nicely done. Have you read “Lakota America” by Pekka Hamalainen? It’s a fascinating history of the rise of the various Souix tribes as they reinvented themselves twice and migrated west from Great Lakes woodlands to river valleys to only late in their history coming to dominate the plains as they adopted horse culture while simultaneously gaining access to guns. My father was always interested in the indigenous tribes history, collecting western and Native American art and artifacts. He even researched and commissioned a painting of Crazy Horse and Gall set during their morning ride to the battle of Little Bighorn. The pastel study of Crazy Horse for the painting itself is one of my favorite pieces in his collection. I’ve got some photos of these I can send to you.
Thanks, Charles. I have not read that one, but I've crossed various accounts of how the Sioux tribes landed around the Hills. You're right that horses and guns played a large role. Fascinating, to say the least. And I'd love to see those photos if you're willing to share: brks.cmrn@gmail.com.
Always good to hear from you! I'm still enjoying my Vol. 574. Please thank the team for me.
Fascinating stuff Cameron, thanks for sharing. I only knew the barest facts about Crazy Horse's life. And I never knew you were in SD! One of the few states I don't have any subscribers haha. I'll have to make a visit out there one day, it sounds and looks beautiful.
Thanks, brother. Hit me up if (when) you visit!
"The Machine may have killed him, but it never tamed him." Wow.
I remember seeing the Crazy Horse monument years ago on a roadtrip, when I was still a kid. Even at that young age, I remember feeling struck with awe and thinking what a shame it was (is!) that the construction was not being done in greater earnest.
Crazy Horse demonstrates a kind of unflagging conviction and rule of life that not even death or defeat can kill. Thank you for drawing our attention back to him!!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rachel! I didn't mention this (and maybe you already know), but another reason the monument has taken so long is that the Ziolkowski family in charge of its construction has always refused government funding, which I think is a cool statement.
Actually, I had no idea, and I'm glad to know now--you're right, that adds a whole new layer of meaning to the monument!
Yes! I am currently reading Black Elk Speaks for the first time, and loved (and was startled by) Against the Machine. Roots and land and people matter-- but we sure like to live like they don't. Good essay, Cameron. See you Friday!
Oddly, I have also been thinking about him, esp. in the context of Kingsnorth's book, so this is timely indeed. I am no great history buff, but my youngest child did a little report on him in 3rd or 4th grade, and he was asked to answer one of the stupidest questions ever (in my opinion): "How did your historical figure make the world a better place?" Somehow I got my poor son more or less to respond: "The world is not a better place, but sometimes all you can do is stand for something and die." This is why I too love Crazy Horse, whatever reality underlies the legacy.
Thanks for reading, J. Tolkien's notion of the "long defeat" also comes to mind, though it's hard to imagine Crazy Horse ever saw his "defeat" as inevitable. (Which, yes, is why we love him.)
Thanks so much for this Cameron! I absolutely loved this piece. Excellently written and wonderfully moving while being still very well researched. I spent some time on the Sioux Creek reservation with some friends who grew up there and there are fewer peoples or parts of the country that I have fonder memories or greater respect for.
Appreciate the note, Elijah!
Cameron. Nicely done. Have you read “Lakota America” by Pekka Hamalainen? It’s a fascinating history of the rise of the various Souix tribes as they reinvented themselves twice and migrated west from Great Lakes woodlands to river valleys to only late in their history coming to dominate the plains as they adopted horse culture while simultaneously gaining access to guns. My father was always interested in the indigenous tribes history, collecting western and Native American art and artifacts. He even researched and commissioned a painting of Crazy Horse and Gall set during their morning ride to the battle of Little Bighorn. The pastel study of Crazy Horse for the painting itself is one of my favorite pieces in his collection. I’ve got some photos of these I can send to you.
Thanks, Charles. I have not read that one, but I've crossed various accounts of how the Sioux tribes landed around the Hills. You're right that horses and guns played a large role. Fascinating, to say the least. And I'd love to see those photos if you're willing to share: brks.cmrn@gmail.com.
Always good to hear from you! I'm still enjoying my Vol. 574. Please thank the team for me.