Will

Black Elk was born on 1863 to his parents, who lived in an area called Little Powder River probably somewhere around Wyoming. He was born into a family of Medicine men because his father and grandfather were both one. During his life he saw a lot of blood shed and destruction of his home land by the white people. Black Elk had to grow up quickly because when he was five he became the hunter for his family because his dad was sadly crippled in a massacre. When he was still very young the Indian wars started. But came down with an unknown ilness. while he was ill he had a vision of him being swept off to heaven and met the sixth grandfathers and also seeing himself as the six Grandfathers, or the sprit of man. Then came the battle of Little Big Horn where he was not able to participate because of his age but sat on the backlines and killed some wounded or injured soldiers. However before the battle he had a vision of something bad happening. That bad thing happened when the U.S. government reduced the reservations land and they were fourced to flee to Canada. Black Elk was able to learn a lot about White culture and language through his opurtunity with the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. once he returned home Black Elk became facinated with the Ghost Dance and helped lead these ceremonies when U.S. calvery men were called in to break up the dance and the calvery men killed hundereds of the dancers at wounded knee.
The conversion began when Black Elk was called to come perform a healing ceremony for a sick kid. When he arrived there was already a Jesuit Priest there. He was then looked down on by the priest for practicing Shamanism and was thrown out of the tent. Black Elk was not angry, but accepted the idea that the white God was more powerful. Soon after he was baptized and took on the name Nick. He believed now that his calling was to convert his people to christianity. He took the next few years traveling all over and spreading Gods news and power to all the people he saw. When he became to old he was forced to retire how ever he kept on working to bring people to God. He then fell ill again but this time from tuberculosis. But he did not let this stop him from his "duty". He continued to travel and preach to people worse off then him and never let his illness get in his way. When it was about to become time for him to pass he still was not flustered and said that "he was prepared."
Black Elk made a lot of sacrafices over his life. He really was in tune wwith life and could here his callings. He worked vigurously to learn the languages and cultures of others. He was a great provider for his Tribe and Family. And finally he made a conversion and worked to help others to make that decision too. He did not just let his conversion be the last one. He bacame very motiveted and very trusting in God all the way to his death.