Black Elk (Cyclopedia of World Authors)
Black Elk, also known as Nicholas Black Elk (his Indian name was Hehaka Sapa), is most recognized as the narrator of his so-called life story titled Black Elk Speaks. This narrative, dictated to poet and researcher John G. Neihardt, was transcribed from notes after being interpreted from the original Sioux in English by Black Elk’s son, Ben. This work has been honored by some and maligned by others for the “poetic filter” Neihardt placed upon it and for its incompleteness; it is instead a symbolic representation of the American Indians’ plight previous to and subsequent...
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