05(a) – Classical American

Popol Vuh

Wikipedia Overview of a Great American Classic

PDF Texts

Tedlock Translation

Christenson Translation (Click on “English Translation,” see p. 48)

Black Elk

Wikipedia Overview

Black Elk Speaks

Text at Internet Archive

Also check your library for an ebook of The Sixth Grandfather: Black Elk’s Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt, edited by Raymond J. DeMaille, which presents the notes that were taken by Neihardt’s daughters when the writer met with Black Elk. These notes served as the basis for Neihardt’s books, but careful examination shows that Neihardt applied his poetic skills. Hilda Neihardt Petri, one of Neihardt’s daughters, writes In the foreword to Sixth Grandfather: “Black Elk Speaks is authentic; it does convey with faithful sincerity Black Elk’s message. But in presenting this message to the reader, Neihardt created a work of art, and true art in all its forms is an intensification and greatly clarified form of communication.”

Pine Ridge Reservation

Standing Rock Reservation