Nate Nesbit Essay #1
Black Elk Speaks
“The theme of reciprocity (that) permeates so many aspects of Native American life”
(Brown 12).
When Brown says here that reciprocity permeates all aspects of the lives of Native
Americans he does in fact mean every single facet of their lives from waking up in the morning
to interpreting visions and acting out rituals. Most of the aspects of Native American life that
deal with this give-take “circle of life” relationship are simply things that we would refer to as
“going green” in our day and age. While this does speak to the way of the Lakota tribe, the idea
of reciprocity surrounds and infuses everything that they do. Reciprocity is the central theme to
not only Black Elk’s visions but, also to the entire method of dream interpretation and the
implementation of powers in the Native American society.
In chapter 18 Black Elk speaks about how visions can be transformed into powers that
care used to the benefit of the tribe. The one who has seen the vision “is not able to use the
power of it until after he has performed the vision of earth for the people to see” (Neilhardt 157).
The one who is to become powerful cannot use their power unless they first share it with the
entire village. The power, which originates from the four corners/grandfathers/powers of the
earth (Wakan Tanka), is spread among the two-leggeds. The ritual that the two-leggeds perform
so that the power may be inherited also involves the four-leggeds who are the givers of life and
much respected by the two-leggeds. This harmony between the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds
pleases Wakan Tanka and the Lakota continue to be granted visions by Wakan Tanka. This cycle
is essential to all the visions that have been experienced by the Lakota throughout their long
1
