Grandpa Fools Crow

“If we are careful and attentive to Nature, we can even hear the footstep of the ants.”
–Mayan Grand Elder

“Grandpa was among the very last of the last of our people who were born in the nineteenth century and never attended any of the white man’s institutions. These old people I grew up around were raised by fathers, mothers, aunties, uncles and grandparents who were all born free. Grandpa and all his contemporaries conducted themselves with simple elegance. They were mindful of their self-dignity and Lakota pride. Grandpa had peace of mind that comes from the innate wisdom of our ancestors. You never hear of the white man teaching his children about wisdom and peace of mind. Only about knowledge and possessions in direct violation of their holy book.

Grandpa with his peace of mind knew the ultimate contentment that spells happiness. He knew of the prophecies and the wisdom of our people, and that is the way he lived his life. Grandpa Fools Crow was not what people call a “traditional Indian,” he was not what they call a “patriot” and definitely was not a “medicine man.” He was simply an Oglala Ikce Wicasa (ordinary man). Grandpa was a man with a pure heart and because of that the Great Mystery spoke through him. The powers that he exercised were more than those of a priest or minister or even the power of the pope. He used these powers to insure the spiritual foundation of our people would remain for many generations — at least until we could recover from the onslaught of the white man and begin again to nurture the sacred tree of life and mend our nation’s hoop.

Grandpa knew and could speak English. He knew his power. When he dealt with the non-Indian he would only speak in Lakota and would allow those who knew the white man’s language better than he to interpret his meaning. I only heard him speak English once and it was to another Lakota, otherwise, I only knew him through our own language. You have to understand what the American Indian is really all about. Grandpa Fools Crow possessed a dignity that you no longer see in America. Grandpa possessed every quality that the American Indian people of these great lands once held. Grandpa did not know the word “no.” He could never comprehend using the term. He absolutely did not value material possession of any kind. Curiously, though, he always seemed to have enough money.

Once he met a Spanish anthropologist. After he was interviewed, the Spanish anthropologist admired the turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace he was wearing. Grandpa took it off and handed it to that descendent of the conquistadores. Chief Frank Fools Crow, aka Eagle Bear to his people, was so proud of his Lakota ways, he would not compromise. When I was in one of my many trials, he was called to testify. He insisted that the oath he was about to swear to should be sworn while he held his sacred pipe. As he said in Lakota, which was not translated to the judge, he wanted to be bound by the honor he knew. He knew the white man would lie to his own God, therefore, he didn’t feel comfortable swearing an oath to that God. In the Indian way, when you speak to people, you stand up out of respect to the people and their hearing. While he was in the witness chair he stood to answer each question that was asked of him.

One of my greatest teachings came one afternoon at Grandpa’s house on a hot summer afternoon. Grandpa was being interviewed by two documentary filmmakers, one from Belgium and the other from the Netherlands. At the conclusion of the interviews, both reporters asked Chief Frank Fools Crow, does he pass on his knowledge to the younger people? He looked towards the east, stood up, threw his arm in disgust toward the sky and said, “Ah, they don’t deserve it.” At that moment I was shocked. I got up and went for a walk along the creek behind his house to think about this. After awhile, I returned and sat down with Grandpa and his interpreter, my leksi (uncle) Mathew King. I asked them if my understanding of what he had said was correct. As they listened, I asked, is it because your understanding of our songs, ceremonies, the winds and the plants are so sacred they cannot be handed down to just anyone and these sacred teachings have to be handed down to only those with an innocent heart and a purity of mind? They both nodded in agreement.”

~ Russell Means, Oglala Lakota Patriot

"I do not always ask, in my prayers and discussions, for only those things I would like to see happen, because no man can claim to know what is best for mankind. Wakan Tanka and Grandfather alone know what is best, and this is why, even though I am worried, my attitude is not overcome with fear of the future. I submit always to Wakan Tanka's will. This is not easy, and most people find it impossible, but I have seen the power of Prayer and I have seen God's desires fulfilled. So I pray always that God will give me wisdom to accept his way of doing things...

When we become hollow bones there is no limit to what the Higher Powers can do in and through us in spiritual things."

-- Chief Frank Fools Crow

"In August 1975, thirty activists, including Fools Crow, traveled to Washington D.C. to discuss the 1868 Treaty, sovereignty, and the continuing violence and civil rights violations. On September 5, Grandfather Fools Crow gave the opening prayer for the United States Senate. This is believed to be an accurate translation of his words:

“ In the presence of this house, Grandfather, Wakan Tanka,
and from the direction where the sun sets, and from the direction of cleansing power,
and from the direction of the rising, and from the direction of the middle of the day.
Grandfather, Wakan Tanka, Grandmother, the Earth who hears everything,
Grandmother, because you are woman, for this reason you are kind,
I come to you this day to tell you to love the red men,
and watch over them, and give these young men the understanding
because, Grandmother, from you comes the good things,
good things that are beyond our eyes to see have been blessed in our midst
for this reason I make my supplication known to you again.

Give us a blessing so that our words and actions be one in unity,
and that we be able to listen to each other, in so doing,
we shall with good heart walk hand in hand to face the future.

In the presence of the outside, we are thankful for many blessings.
I make my prayer for all people, the children, the women and the men.
I pray that no harm will come to them, and that on the great island,
there be no war, that there be no ill feelings among us.
From this day on may we walk hand in hand.  So be it.

During the same morning as this prayer, the FBI staged a massive paramilitary raid on the property of Leonard Crow Dog."

-- Wikipedia