Standing in the Light: A Lakota Way of Seeing

by R.D. Theisz, Severt Young Bear

For most of his adult life Severt Young Bear stood in the light--in the center ring at powwows and other gatherings of Lakota people. As founder and, for many years, lead singer of the Porcupine Singers, a traditional singing and drumming group, he also stood, figuratively, in the light of understanding the cherished Lakota heritage. Young Bear's own life in Brotherhood Community, Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation, is the linchpin of this narrative, which ranges across the landscape of Dakota culture, from the significance of names to the search for modern Lakota identity, from Lakota oral traditions to powwows and giveaways, from child-rearing practices to humor and leadership. "Music is at the center of Lakota life," says Young Bear; he describes in rich detail the origins and varieties of Lakota song and dance. A descendant of chiefs and of Wounded Knee survivors, he recounts his role in Wounded Knee II 1973 and his association with the AIM Song. A highly respected musician, teacher, and elder, Severt Young Bear performed with the Porcupine Singers throughout North America, taught at Oglala Lakota College, and served on the Oglala Sioux tribal council. He was music and dance consultant for the films Dances with Wolves and Thunder Heart. This book is the fruit of his long friendship and collaboration with R. D. Theisz, a fellow Porcupine Singer and professor of communications and education at Black Hills State University. Says Theisz, "We're trying to write this book so that Lakota people and our nonIndian friends can find better understanding . . . so that those people waiting in the dark-perhaps we have a little of them in all of us-can approach the light."

Genres: Native American, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Philosophy

209 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1994

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "Things Fall Apart," a novel by Chinua Achebe, before reading "Standing in the Light: a Lakota way of seeing" by Severt Young Bear and R.D. Theisz. Both books are important. One is about the Ibo of Nigeria and the other is about the Lakota in South Dakota. They address the devastating results of colonialism and the treatment of Native people in the U. S. They make you realize there are pros and cons to any system or culture. They cause you to rethink, once again, the role of the U.S. around the world as it interferes in the politics of other countries. It's such a complicated, complicated issue. I firmly believe the U. S., with the help of organized religion, errored horribly in its treatment of Native Americans; together their systematic and brutal attempt to destroy Native culture has had long term consequences. But when it comes to atrocities in other countries, I'm also left wondering when it is right to step in or wrong not to do something. One thing I do believe, is that diplomacy and organizations like USAID, can deliver more humane solutions than aggressive military actions.

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always looking for contemporary books to read on Native American life as written by indigenous people themselves, which is what drew my eye to Standing in the Light by Severt Young Bear, a Lakota man from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I'm interested in knowing the real-life experiences of real-life people as they relate to Native history. However, Standing in the Light didn't quite do it for me. I suppose I always expect too much in the policy realm, that is, hearing from Natives about how government policies affected their lives, when often policies don't have a tangible impact on the lives of people already living certain ways and struggling with the same problems. By that I mean Young Bear did mention some historical aspects of Native treatment, but never in a way that seemed to change his viewpoint on telling his story or that of his ancestors. Instead, he wanted to wax nostalgic but without any substance--and indeed, in some places he rambled on without saying much at all. This book was a conversation, an oral recording transcribed later, and as I was reading I kept thinking how tedious it was for me to make it through some chapters, let alone for Young Bear to actually have to talk through all of this. It was quite dull in some places. I appreciate the viewpoint, of course, since as I said I like hearing Native experiences through Native voices. But something was missing. I didn't feel drawn to this book and frankly wanted it to be over.

[Craig Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely valuable for insight into Lakota culture, especially from the singer's point-of-view, particularly useful for revealing how this is a living, ongoing, evolving tradition, not an historical reenactment, museum artifact, or espousal of creative anachronism.

[Dano · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that explores the history of the Lakota using the Pow-Wow and drumming as a metaphor for the spiritual and cultural well curve of the people through the past to the present.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've eaten around the edges of this book for many years because it is a staple of our curriculum. A good read that explains much about Lakota culture and history by someone who lived it.

[Lyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot of great cultural information shared here, and I learned a ton. However, with the nearly 200 pages long book being split into only four parts meant the chapters were LONG. Also, I had to read this for class, so the assignments had a fast turnaround time. These circumstances took the enjoyment out of reading Standing in the Light. I felt like I was dragging myself through the narrative at certain points. I wish there was a bit more breathing room for the reader.