Henry Crow Dog facts for kids

Henry Crow Dog (born September 2nd, 1899 – died 1985) was a respected Lakota spiritual leader and medicine man. He lived his life following traditional Lakota ways. Henry taught his son, Leonard Crow Dog, many important spiritual teachings. He also helped bring back the Ghost Dance in 1974. Henry was dedicated to helping his people, the Brule tribe and the larger Oc̣eti Ṣakowiƞ.

Early Life and Education

Henry Crow Dog was born around 1899-1903 on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. His parents were John Crow Dog and Jumping Elk. He was born in the traditional Lakota way. This was a time when many people on reservations were very poor. Henry learned to hunt for food from a young age.

Schools on the reservations back then were not very good. It was hard for kids to get a good education. Henry once said, "I didn't speak a word of English, and the teacher didn't speak a word of Sioux, so how could we learn?" Teachers would punish children for speaking, singing, or praying in the Lakota language.

The schools also did not protect Lakota children from bullying. Henry often had to defend himself. Teachers would blame him, saying, "That Indian boy's always fighting." Because of this, Henry was sent to a school in Pierre. His father, John Crow Dog, taught Henry about traditional Lakota beliefs and how to use new tools.

Family Life

Henry Crow Dog married Mary Gertrude in June 1921. She was also a full-blooded Lakota woman. As a wedding gift, Mary's mother gave them two horses and a wagon. Henry and Mary had 12 children together. Sadly, most of their children passed away before them. Only three of their children, Leonard, Diane, and Christine, lived longer than their parents.

They lived near the Little White River in a log house that Henry built himself. Their home was big enough for many traditional ceremonies. They held peyote meetings, yuwipi ceremonies, and giveaways. They often invited many guests to stay and share in their traditional lifestyle. They always cooked for their guests and let them sleep in their home during ceremonies.

Working and Building a Home

From 1934 to 1950, Henry worked as a farmer in Nebraska. He was part of a program called the WPA, earning $2 to $3 a day. During this time, if priests heard him drumming and singing for traditional ceremonies, they would chase him away.

Henry did not have a proper home on his land. He lived in a tent for a while. So, he built his own house using wooden crates, logs, and pieces of wood or metal he found. On August 18th, 1942, his son Leonard Crow Dog was born.

Henry Crow Dog and the American Indian Movement

In 1970, Henry Crow Dog met Dennis Banks. Dennis Banks was a leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and a member of the Ojibwe people. Dennis Banks wanted to learn more about Lakota religion. He realized that many AIM members, including himself, needed more spiritual knowledge.

Henry Crow Dog taught Dennis Banks important ceremonies like the Inipi (sweat lodge), Yuwipi, and Sun Dance. Soon after, Henry Crow Dog's son, Leonard Crow Dog, became the main spiritual leader for AIM. The Crow Dog family's home, known as Crow Dog's Paradise, became a key meeting place for the organization.