Sacred Ground: Reflections on Lakota Spirituality and the Gospel (1987)

The longer the author worked at St. Joseph's Indian School, the more he felt that he could do something in partnership with the Lakota children and staff to remedy the way in which the church had deprived the Lakota in the past of their own culture. As he was walking along and thinking about the Last Supper at which Jesus was telling the apostles: "Do this in memory of me." He was telling them to remember what He was going to suffer on behalf of all people throughout history and to remember this in all times and places--all cultures. Just then something made him look up to the sky and above him circling around were twelve eagles. Standing in amazement, and knowing that he must not hesitate because of fear or criticism to welcome the Lakota culture into the religious instructions and worship services at the school. The "Sacred Ground" is a sensitive collation of Lakota culture and spirituality with that of the Holy Bible. Dignity and meaning is given to the so often misunderstood customs and practices of the Indian people. The book explains how the religious beliefs of the Sioux and Christian faith go hand in hand with one another.… (more)