Author Description

Shortly before the massacre at Little Big Horn, a Lakota Sioux Indian named Black Elk had a powerful vision of the great changes awaiting his people in their native land. Years later, his words were transcribed at the Pine Ridge Reservation by his friend John G. Neihardt, a writer and critic with an intense, compassionate interest in American Indian culture and religion. The resulting book, Black Elk Speaks, has become universally recognized as both a timeless spiritual autobiography and a compelling first-hand account of Native American history during one of its most tumultuous periods. Black Elk’s words, which convey his people’s history from the inside, are a testament to the enduring spirit of America’s Native peoples. Reader Fred Contreras provides a sensitive, inspiring performance that breathes new life into this beloved classic.