Sacred Fireplace (Oceti Wakan): Life and Teachings of a Lakota Medicine Man

by Peter S. Catches Sr.

Book by Catches, Peter

Genres: Native American

250 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This book was written by Pete Catches & his son Peter. Pete Catches told these things to his son who translated them and put them into book form. There are a few sections that were written by Peter Catches as well.

Pete Catches was a Lakota Medicine Man from outside the Pineridge Rez....he was not always one....as at one time he preferred to live a life uncommitted to the Canka Luta Waste (Good Red Road)

Although the book covered Hanbleceya (Crying for a Vision), Wan Wangyang Wacipi (Sundance), Inipi (Coming Back to Life ceremony)....with explanations of those ceremonies....

I found this book to be rather boring and a bit didactic. I have read several other books by Lakota Wicasa Wakan (Medicine [Holy] Men) and there is always a sense of humor that goes along with some of their stories, a balance of serious & light. This book did not have that balance nor did it have that feeling of "humanity" that I have found in other books I have read by the Lakota & other Wicasa Wakan.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pete Catches and his son wrote this book. Pete Catches was a Lakota medicine man who was not always one.

Besides his life, this book also covers various ceremonies.

It's informative, but I also found it boring.