Culture 4 - Crazy Horse's Vision

A. Bibliography

Bruchac, Joseph. 2000. Crazy Horse's Vision. Ill. by S.D. Nelson. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN 1880000946.

B. Plot Summary

"Crazy Horse was always different. Many children cry when they are born, but not Crazy Horse. He studied the world with serious eyes." This calm and introspective introduction regarding the birth of Crazy Horse sets the stage for his remarkable life. Crazy Horse, when he was born, was known as Curly because of his curly hair. Though he was not a large boy he had power from within that commanded attention. He led the Lakota boys on adventures and they always followed. He never spoke much, but when he did speak they were words of wisdom. Even when he was young he would tell the Lakota boys, "Be brave," he told them. "If we're brave, we can help our people."

Throughout the story this Curly's bravery and determination to help his people continue to grow. He tamed a wild horse, participated in a buffalo hunt at a young age and used one arrow to kill his first buffalo, which was an unusual feat even for a seasoned hunter. The book progresses through the stages when the Army builds a camp to keep peace between the Lakotas and "the whites. Curly also witness his Chief, Chief Conquering Bear, being fatally wounded during a fight over a cow. This traumatic event causes Curly to go and seek a vision to guide him. Curly did not go about seeking his vision the traditional way, but nonetheless he left his village to seek a vision to help his people. He was in the wilderness for three days when the vision finally came to him. The vision, a rider on Curly's own horse, spoke to him and told him, "Keep nothing for yourself." There was also a storm in his vision and the rider appeared with a lightning bolt on his face and hail spots on his chest. Curly was found in the wilderness by his father and his father's best friend. They were not happy when they found out about what Curly has done and that he did not follow traditions regarding visions. Curly did not share his vision with his father until several years later. Then his father interpreted his vision and changed Curly's name to Crazy Horse, which was his father's name. The story concludes with Crazy Horse riding his horse and living his vision as a great defender of the Lakota people.

C. Critical Analysis

There are many cultural markers throughout this book that represent the cultural authenticity of Native American literature. The first cultural marker that Crazy Horse's Vision is authentic Native American literature is that the book includes the author's and illustrator's heritage in the back section on the back flap inside cover. The author, Joseph Bruchac, is of Abenaki Indian descent. He is a writer and storyteller and has won numerous awards for children and adult literature. From Violet Harris' book, Using Multiethnic Literature in the K-8 Classroom, I learned that Bruchac has written over 30 books of poetry, fiction, folktales, and legends. This book states,"Bruchac is actively working to preserve native American cultures through print and recorded media for adults and young people. He seeks the wisdom of native American elders and teachers, and, though the Greenfield Review Press, provides a way for other Native American writers to polish their craft, share their work, and attend workshops" (Harris, 1997, p.170). The illustrator S.D. Nelson is of Lakota (Sioux) Indian Descent which is the same tribe as Crazy Horse. This insight to his own background give him cultural authority to pull from and research experiences from his own past that he could draw on to illustrate this book. The back flap states, "He is an author and illustrator of Gift Horse, published by Harry N. Abrams. A member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Nelson attended Moorhead State University in Minnesota."

The author's notes and illustrators notes also give historical background about factual events passed down from Crazy Horse's life and the Lakota people that have been documented. This historical account shows that the author and illustrated are educated and have conducted research regarding their subjects which contributes to the authenticity for this book. As stated earlier this book is about the Lakota tribe which Crazy Horse was a member. This tribe is identified on the second page of the book when speaking about Cully's childhood,"A Lakota boy could go wherever he wanted and Curly wanted to go everywhere." This identification of a specific Native culture is a marker of cultural authenticity.

When looking at the illustrations there are several cultural markers that contribute to the authenticity of this book. The illustrations by S.D. Nelson are done in ledger book style with acrylic paints on wooden panels. Nelson states that this art form started in the boarding schools. He said, "Hundreds of children were sent east to boarding schools to be civilized. During this time, some Indians were given ledger books in which to draw. These book had lined pages and were intended for bookkeeping. Artists used pencils, pens, and watercolors on the ledger book pages to create bold images of their vanishing culture. Their work was distinguished by outlined two dimensional figures and indistinct facial expressions." This description of "two dimensional figures and indistinct facial expressions" describe how the people in this book are illustrated. Nelson stayed true to this artwork representing the characters the

same way.

Another marker of cultural authenticity that S.D. Nelson provided was the use of colors and symbols in the book. He states,"For the Lakota people, colors have special meanings. For example red represents the east where each day begins with the rising of the sun. Yellow represents the south, summer, and where things grow. I painted Crazy Horse blue because blue represents the sky and a connection to the spirit world." He also uses symbols that are of great importance to the Plains Indians. For example when Curly had the vision on the third day, the rider on the horse had a lightning bolt on this cheek and spots of hail on his chest. Nelson explained in his illustrator notes,"Warriors used images of lightning and hail spots to represent the awesome power of a thunderstorm." He also explained how the women of the Lakota tribe preferred to decorate clothes, robes, and tipis in geometric designs. Nelson uses these geometric designs throughout the book.

When examining the text there are also cultural makers that contribute the the cultural authenticity of the text. As stated earlier the Lakota tribe is identified throughout the book several times, and identification of a specific culture adds to the authenticity. Bruchac also uses language from the Lakota tribe to demonstrate emotion and language patterns of the Lakota people. When Curly is in search of his vision and it has not been revealed to him he continues to pray and cries out, "Wakan Tanka" he cried "Great mystery, even though I am small and pitiful, I want to help my people." This great care and concern is a pattern felt throughout this book, demonstrating the great love and compassion Crazy Horse had for his people. The author also uses detailed descriptions throughout the books to paint pictures with his words and contribute the authenticity of this book. For example when he describes his vision he states,"It was a rider on the back of Curly's own pony, yet the horse and man floated in the air. As the man rode closer, Curly saw that he wore blue leggings and his face was not painted. A single feather hung down from his long brown hair." This description not only gives reader a visual image in their mind, it helps the reader recognize and connect to the many differences in the Lakota people. This is a wonderful book to introduce Native American literature to children of all ages.

D. Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: "As he did in Gift Horse, Sioux artist Nelson blends contemporary and traditional elements for the striking illustrations that accompany this story of the legendary Lakota warrior. Bruchac traces Crazy Horse's boyhood, zeroing in on a pivotal event in his life and highlighting an important Native American right of passage."

School Library Journal: "Crazy Horse is the revered Lakota warrior who defeated General Custer during the battle of Little Bighorn. Brucach provides this information and much more in an author's note, but the main narrative involves scenes of his subject's youth. He presents details from oral history, such as Curly's quiet nature, early leadership skills, and vision quest. Th boy sought divine inspiration after his tribe was invaded by white settlers; the vision, which taught him to "Keep nothing for yourself," was to guide him throughout his life."

E. Connections

To read more books by Joseph Bruchac regarding Native Americans please read the following books:

Bruchac, Joseph. A Boy Called Slow. ISBN 0399226923.

Bruchac, Joseph. The First Strawberries. Ill. by Anna Vojtech. ISBN 0140564098.

Bruchac, Joseph. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. Ill. by Thomas Locker. ISBN 0698115848.

Bruchac, Joseph. The Earth's Under Sky Bear's Feet. Ill. by Thomas Locker. ISBN 0698116474x.

Bruchac, Joseph. Betwee Earth & Sky: Legends of Native Americans. Ill. by Thomas Locker. ISBN 152020624.