John Fire Lame Deer, Sioux Lakota – 1903-1976

John Fire Lame Deer was a Sioux Lakota medicine man, spiritual leader, and activist born in 1903 on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He was a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe and was a descendant of the Hunkpapa Sioux chief, Sitting Bull.

Lame Deer grew up in a traditional Lakota family, learning the language and customs of his people. He became a medicine man at a young age and spent his life preserving and teaching the Lakota culture and spiritual practices.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Lame Deer became involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM), a movement that aimed to promote the rights and self-determination of Indigenous peoples in the United States. He was a strong advocate for Indigenous sovereignty and the protection of Indigenous sacred sites.

Lame Deer was also a writer and author of several books, including “Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions,” which he co-wrote with Richard Erdoes. The book is a memoir of his life and provides insight into Lakota spirituality and culture.

Lame Deer passed away in 1976, but his legacy continues to inspire and educate people about the rich history and culture of Indigenous peoples in the United States.

 

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