A somber note echoes across Indian Country as we remember Vine Deloria Jr., a towering figure whose spirit transitioned to the realm of ancestors on November 13th. As tobacco smoke rises in respectful remembrance, heartfelt condolences and warm embraces extend to his family and cherished friends. A profound sense of loss permeates the Native American community, where Deloria – the author, educator, legal mind, and profoundly influential man – is universally revered, and where his legacy will endure through countless generations.
Vine Deloria Jr., a world-renowned Hunkpapa Lakota scholar and author hailing from the Standing Rock Reservation, indelibly shaped the landscape for Native peoples across North America and the globe. His intellectual contributions were characterized by a remarkable blend of creative exploration and rigorous academic discipline. He meticulously defined the legal and historical foundations that were urgently needed to fuel the national Indian discourse. His work provided a significant catalyst for the development of American Indian/Native studies, fostering research, publishing, scholarly production, and teaching. Vine Deloria Jr. was a pivotal figure in this movement.
Deloria’s literary contributions are nothing short of legendary, beginning with the seminal work, "Custer Died For Your Sins." This book resonated powerfully with the collective imagination of the American Indian Movement (AIM) during the 1960s and early 1970s. Alongside other influential works such as "We Talk, You Listen" and "Behind the Trail of Broken Treaties," these early writings by Deloria served as a cornerstone of knowledge for a broad spectrum of activists, students, established community leaders, and traditional authorities during a critical period.
For a movement characterized by disparate and highly independent bases across Indian Country, encompassing a wide spectrum of political viewpoints, Deloria’s carefully considered and well-reasoned approach, coupled with his acerbic wit and genuine self-deprecation, struck a fundamental chord.
The genesis of profound thought and the resonant music of a movement focused on survival began with Deloria’s keen understanding of media concepts, intertwined with the musical talents of his brother, Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman. Their collaboration produced anthems that became synonymous with the movement, encapsulated in Westerman’s poignant lyrics: "Custer died for your sins – a new day must begin – Custer died for your sins." Another anthem, drawing inspiration from the old 49er tradition, declared, "BIA, I am not your Indian anymore."
Vine Deloria Jr. strategically targeted anthropologists, missionaries, and bureaucrats alike, crafting his message primarily for Native audiences while simultaneously capturing the attention of the broader national public. He masterfully crafted accessible narratives about the contemporary Indian world, grounding them in extensive and comprehensive academic research, writing, and editing.
Deloria went on to author and edit more than twenty books, delving into a wide array of topics, ranging from contemporary Native issues in law and history to profound reflections on scientific and theological themes. As a courageous risk-taker, particularly during an era characterized by cautious pronouncements within academia, Deloria found considerable satisfaction in dismantling and deconstructing simplistic theories presented by those who sought to undermine indigenous perspectives. One notable example was his critical response to Sheppard Krech III’s controversial review of indigenous lifeways in the book "The Ecological Indian: Myth and History."
Through his insightful critique of evolutionary theory and its often unsubstantiated claims, Deloria boldly ventured beyond conventional progressive thought, embarking on his own path to explore significant theological and scientific questions. This approach served to expand the scope of Indian scholarship. While his explorations and assertions provoked debate within academia and government circles, this confrontational stance appeared to be his preferred method – engaging in the arena of ideas to advance the interests of his people.
The author and professor was an exemplary social activist, unwavering in his support for Indian movement activism across all fields. He generously dedicated his time and expertise through lectures, strategic seminars, and court testimony, responding to the calls of tribal communities in need. Early in his career, as the executive director of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Deloria instilled a sense of radicalism and heightened activity within the foremost Indian advocacy organization. He spearheaded lobbying campaigns and devised strategies for court cases, often while simultaneously defending prominent community treaty activists, such as Nisqually elder and fishing rights advocate Billy Frank Jr.
Vine Deloria Jr. bridged generations, embodying the perspectives and insights of leaders who guided Indian Country through the challenges of the Depression, World War II, and the termination era. He frequently reminisced with fondness about the influential figures who shaped his formative years.
We fondly remember this beloved teacher for his generosity of spirit. As a professor, Deloria mentored and inspired countless individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. He consistently dedicated his time to teaching and guiding the work of numerous Native graduate students and young activists, many of whom went on to achieve remarkable success and prominence in their respective fields. He wrote numerous prefaces, introductions, and recommendations, providing thoughtful assessments of the work at hand. He was always willing to lend his considerable expertise to the efforts of emerging scholars. However, he maintained a high standard, demanding intellectual rigor from his students and holding them accountable for their work.
Those who were touched by the inspiration of Vine Deloria Jr. are eternally grateful for the opportunity to have celebrated his accomplishments at the 2005 American Indian Visionary Award ceremony, where he was honored in March.
In every generation, echoing the words of the late Creek Medicine Man Phillip Deere, there is an individual who strikes the click-stone with precision, igniting the flame. In his generation, Vine Deloria Jr. sparked an intellectual fire that illuminated political, legal, historical, and spiritual domains. He illuminated the path to the wellspring of knowledge, guiding the way forward.
We are profoundly grateful for the gift of this extraordinary man who demonstrated, through the very essence of his life, that intellectual power is only truly realized through service to the people.