"Black Elk Speaks - As told through John G. Neihard" By Nicholas Black Elk

Black Elk was nine years of age when he first had his vision. He became very ill during the summer. He heard a voice while he was lying in his tepee. He saw two men coming from the clouds both carrying a long spear from the points of these spears lightning was flashing. He followed these men. A cloud came down from the sky and swept him into the sky. The men took Black Elk …

…make it sound not as bad as it really was. Black Elk also speaks from the heart and is unafraid to talk of his grief and other emotions. I think three things that would make a great discussion would be the depth of their spirituality, visions, and rituals; their total dependence on the United States after the tribe was moved to reservations; and their inability to hunt and take care of themselves during this time.