Preserving Sacred Native Traditions

Thomas Yellowtail (1903-1993) was an influential and revered Crow Sun Dance Chief and Medicine Man. For many years, a number of American Indian spiritual leaders have allowed some elements of their spiritual traditions to be recorded, mostly in books. One important example is “Black Elk Speaks.” Another is Yellowtail’s own book “Yellowtail, Crow Medicine Man and Sun Dance Chief: an Autobiography” (1991). Chief Yellowtail also wanted to leave some audio and video recordings of insights, songs, and memories to aid his people in maintaining their spiritual and cultural traditions. This video was originally part of the two-DVD set “Native Spirit and the Sun Dance Way”. The video’s content has not been edited, only upgraded to a higher visual standard.