Light on the Indian World

This book combines for the first time the most important writings of Ohiyesa (Charles Eastman), the first Native American author to live simultaneously in both the traditional world of the Santee Sioux and the modern civilization of the white man.Ohiyesa's works represent the most complete explanation of the philosophy and moral code of the Plains Indian. Providing much of the basis of our knowledge of their sacred world view in which 'we are all related', they sound a profoundly spiritual note which speaks directly to the ecological crisis and the de-humanization of man so often discussed in our time. On a deeper level, Ohiyesa's message speaks to every person who seeks a spiritual way in the midst of a society increasingly dominated by materialism and industrial technology. It was around the turn of the Twentieth Century that he wrote, "It is my personal belief, after thirty-five years' experience of it, that there is no such thing as 'Christian civilization.' I believe that Christianity and modern civilization are opposed and irreconcilable, and that the spirit of Christianity and of our ancient religion is essentially the same."Ohiyesa's prophetic voice speaks now across three centuries with an urgency which is still fresh and original. Not only should students of Native American philosophy carefully read this book, it should be essential reading for all people who search the ancient worlds for light to better understand the problems which press upon us today. Editor Michael Fitzgerald has written and edited many publications on American Indian spirituality, including Yellowtail: Crow Medicine Man and Sun Dance Chief, which he recorded and edited and which was first published in 1991 by the University of Oklahoma Press (now in its fifth printing). Prior to his death in 1993, Yellowtail made many visits to Fitzgerald's home in Bloomington, Indiana. And, for over 30 years Fitzgerald has spent extensive amounts of time each summer visiting various American Indian tribes throughout the Plains and the Southwest and has attended sacred rites of the Crow, Sioux, Cheyenne, Shoshone and Apache tribes.He is also the editor of the best selling, Indian Spirit (World Wisdom, 2003).In addition, Fitzgerald has taught Religious Traditions of the North American Indians in the Indiana University Continuing Studies Department at Bloomington, Indiana. He holds a BA, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD, cum laude, from Indiana University.Mr. Fitzgerald has been an adopted member of the Thomas Yellowtail family and the Crow tribe since 1972.