Fools Crow: Wisdom and Power - Softcover

Mails, Thomas E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1571781048 ISBN 13: 9781571781048

Publisher: Council Oaks Distribution, 2001

Synopsis

This special tenth-anniversary edition of Fools Crow: Wisdom and Power contains a remembrance of Fools Crow by Russell Means; an 8-page black and white photo insert; and a new afterword by the author, Thomas E. Mails.

About this title

About the Author

Frank Fools Crow, Ceremonial Chief of the Teton Sioux, is regarded by many as the greatest Native American holy person of the last hundred years. Nephew of Black Elk, and a disciplined, gentle spiritual and political leader, Fools Crow died in 1989 at the age of 99.

Thomas E. Mails is a Lutheran minister and the author of ten previous books on Native American history, culture, and spirituality including Sundancing: The Great Sioux Piercing Ceremony, Secret Native American Pathways, Cherokee People, and The Hopi Survival Kit.

From the Back Cover

"Anyone who is willing to live the life I have led can do the things I do." -Fools Crow

"You have to understand the goodness of Chief Frank Fools Crow in order to understand what the American Indian is really all about. Grandpa Fools Crow possessed a dignity that you no longer see in America. Grandpa possessed every quality that the American Indian people of these great lands once held." -from the foreword by Russell Means, Oglala Lakota Patriot

"I knew the old Ceremonial Chief of the Teton Sioux well, having been in six annual sun dances all led by Chief Fools Crow. Other ceremonies I also served as his helper. Mails portrays the spirit and intellect of the powerful holy man quite well." - Ed McGaa, Eagle Man, Oglala, author of Mother Earth Spirituality and Rainbow Tribe

Over a period of years beginning in 1974, author Thomas E. Mails met many times with the remarkable Sioux holy man Frank Fools Crow, and was entrusted with the powerful, transformative and healing teachings of this important leader. Fools Crow healed and touched many lives, and continues to do so in this cherished classic of Native American spirituality.

This new edition of Fools Crow: Wisdom and Power includes additional photos of Fools Crow (some previously unpublished), an afterword with an overview of the great teacher's Seven Ways of Healing, and a foreword by Russell Means.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From the Foreword by Russell Means

Caga Mato Wanbli, Grandfather Eagle Bear also known as Chief Frank Fools Crow adopted me at the Pine Ridge annual Sun Dance of the Lakota in the white man's year of 1969. He adopted me because I love my people. He perceived that through the Sun Dance without ever knowing me. Grandpa was among the very last of the last of our people who were born in the nineteenth century and never attended any of the white man's institutions. These old people I grew up around were raised by Fathers, Mothers, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents who were all born free. Grandpa and all his contemporaries conducted themselves with simple elegance. They were mindful of their self dignity and Lakota pride. Grandpa had peace of mind that comes from the innate wisdom of our ancestors. You never hear of the white man teaching his children about wisdom and peace of mind. Only about knowledge and possessions in direct violation of their holy book. Grandpa with his peace of mind knew the ultimate contentment that spells happiness. He knew of the prophecies and the wisdoms of our people, and that is the way he lived his life. Grandpa Fools Crow was not what people call a "Traditional Indian," he was not what they call a "Patriot" and definitely was not a "Medicine Man." He was simply an Oglala Ikce Wicasa (ordinary man).

Grandpa was a man with a pure heart and because of that the Great Mystery spoke through him. The powers that he exercised were more than those of a priest or minister or even the power of the pope. He used these powers to insure the Spiritual foundation of our people would remain for many generations. At least until we could recover from the onslaught of the white man and begin again to nurture the sacred tree of life and mend our nation's hoop.

Grandpa knew and could speak English. He knew his power. When he dealt with the non-Indian he would only speak in Lakota and would allow those who knew the white man's language better than he, to interpret his meaning. I only heard him speak English once and it was to another Lakota, otherwise, I only knew him through our own language. You have to understand the goodness of Chief Frank Fools Crow in order to understand what the American Indian is really all about. Grandpa Fools Crow possessed a dignity that you no longer see in America. Grandpa possessed every quality that the American Indian people of these great lands once held. Grandpa did not know the word "no." He could never comprehend using the term. He absolutely did not value material possession of any kind. Curiously though, he always seemed to have enough money.

Once he met this Spanish anthropologist. After he was interviewed, the Spanish anthropologist admired the turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace he was wearing. Grandpa took it off and handed it to that descendent of the conquistadores.

Chief Frank Fools Crow, aka Eagle Bear to his people, was so proud of his Lakota ways, he would not compromise. When I was in one of my many trials, he was called to testify. He insisted that the oath he was about to swear to should be sworn while he held his sacred pipe. As he said in Lakota which was not translated to the judge, he wanted to be bound by the honor he knew. He knew the white man would lie to his own God, therefore, he didn't feel comfortable swearing an oath to that God. In the Indian way, when you speak to people, you stand up out of respect to the people and their hearing. While he was in the witness chair he stood to answer each question that was asked of him.

One of my greatest teachings came one afternoon at Grandpa's house on a hot summer afternoon. Grandpa was being interviewed by two documentary filmmakers, one from Belgium and the other from the Netherlands. At the conclusion of the interviews, both reporters asked Chief Frank Fools Crow, does he pass on his knowledge to the younger people? He looked towards the east, stood up, threw his arm in disgust toward the sky and said, "Ah, they don't deserve it." At that moment I was shocked. I got up and went for a walk along the creek behind his house to think about this. After awhile, I returned and sat down with Grandpa and his interpreter, my Leksi (uncle) Mathew King. I asked them if my understanding of what he had said was correct. As they listened, I asked, is it because your understanding of our songs, ceremonies, the winds and the plants are so sacred they cannot be handed down to just anyone and these sacred teachings have to be handed down to only those with an innocent heart and a purity of mind? They both nodded in agreement.

Russell Means, Oglala Lakota Patriot

Edition details

• Publisher: Council Oaks Distribution
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1571781048
• ISBN 13: 9781571781048
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224