Wovoka, through a vision, instructed
his Paiute brethren to form a massive
circle, symbol of sun, ordered by God
to create peace and love. They’d dance for five
days to renew the earth. Kicking Bear, Sioux
chief, carried it to his Lakota, told
them it would wash away evil they knew
as the white invader. Young men, made bold
by their Ghost Shirts to repel bullets, danced
for days at Wounded Knee. The cavalry
surged. One, threatened by the whirling braves’ trance,
flicked his trigger. The village filled with cries
of pain. Like war today, many were killed:
braves, soldiers, but mostly women and kids.
Roger Armbrust
February 16, 2012
