Arvol Looking Horse facts for kids
Arvol Looking Horse (born in 1954) is a Lakota Native American spiritual leader. He is known as the 19th keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe and Bundle.
He is also a strong voice in the protests against the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
Contents
His Story
Growing Up and Becoming a Leader
Arvol Looking Horse was born in 1954. His home was the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in South Dakota. His mother was from the Hunkpapa tribe, and his father was from the Mni Sa band of the Itazipco tribe. These are both parts of the Titonwan Lakota people.
He grew up in a traditional Lakota family. This meant he learned a lot about their culture and spiritual ways. He spoke Lakota first, and later learned English.
His family has a very important job. They are the keepers of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe. Lakota tradition says this sacred pipe was given to the Oceti Sakowin people by the White Buffalo Calf Woman.
When Arvol Looking Horse was just twelve years old, he became the keeper of this pipe. This made him a ceremonial leader for the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Peoples. He is the 19th person in his family line to hold this special role. He was the youngest person in 400 years to be given this responsibility.
His grandmother once told him that if the world did not get better during his lifetime, he might be the last keeper of the sacred bundle. When he went to a government boarding school, he saw that his people's spiritual traditions were being stopped. This made him decide to work for religious freedom. He also wanted to protect his culture.
Arvol Looking Horse used to be a professional rodeo rider. He had a serious accident where a horse fell on him. Doctors thought he might not walk again. But he worked very hard and eventually regained his ability to walk.
Big Foot Memorial Ride
Since 1986, Arvol Looking Horse has led the Big Foot Memorial Ride. This ride follows the path of Chief Big Foot (also known as Chief Spotted Elk). Chief Big Foot and his group were killed in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890.
The ride happens every year from December 15 to 29. The cold winter weather helps the riders understand the difficulties Chief Big Foot and his group faced. In 1990, Looking Horse also led a ceremony called "Mending The Sacred Hoop." This was for the families who survived the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Working for Peace and the Planet
Arvol Looking Horse has given prayers and speeches to support action on climate change. He has also spoken against projects like the Dakota Access Pipeline. He has spoken at the UN General Assembly and at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1997. He also attended the March for Science in Washington, D.C. to push for climate action.
A special prophecy among Native Americans says that the "Seventh Generation" will help restore their communities. Because of this, tribal elders supported young people involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Arvol Looking Horse gave these young people a sacred pipe. They were officially called "warriors for the people," known as akicita.
In 1994, a rare white buffalo calf was born. Arvol Looking Horse traveled to many sacred places to perform a special ceremony for the calf. To celebrate this birth, he created World Peace and Prayer Day in 1996. This day encourages people of all faiths to support world peace and environmentalism.
More World Peace Day ceremonies were held in Canada (1997), Minnesota (1998), Costa Rica (1999), and South Dakota (2000). After these, Looking Horse felt he had completed his part. He then let the wider international community organize future events. More ceremonies were held around the world from 2001 to 2005. In 2005, it was suggested to the UN to make the day an official "Honoring Sacred Sites Day."
To help keep the ceremony organized and funded, Looking Horse and other elders formed the Wolakota Foundation. This group helps promote the spiritual traditions of Indigenous peoples around the world.
In 2003, Arvol Looking Horse made an important statement. He said that non-Native people should not attend Lakota ceremonies. This was because some people were using Native American spiritual practices in ways that were not respectful or traditional.
Awards and Honors
Arvol Looking Horse has received several awards:
- In 1996, he received The Wolf Award from Canada. This award is given to people who work for peace.
- In 2006, he received The United Nations Juliet Hollister Temple of Understanding Award.
- In 1996, the city of New Orleans honored him. They declared August 27 "Day of the White Bison" and gave him the key to the city.
- In 2017, the Malibu Guitar Festival gave him a humanitarian award.
Personal Life
Arvol Looking Horse's son, Cody Looking Horse, is part of the Standing Rock Youth Council. He was also active in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. His mother is Professor Dawn Martin-Hill.
