Story Provided by William Purcell www.lakotawritings.com

My name is Running Bear,
A Lakota by birth,
The great Wakan Tanka
Placed me on this earth.

He gave to me the Black Hills,
So I could honour him by name,
And in a sacred vision,
Told me not to change.

He placed me on a sacred path,
To follow throughout my life,
He gave me food and shelter,
And a woman for a wife.

He granted me the beauty,
That a father’s name can bring,
When you hold your first born,
A truly wonderful thing.

And when I ride into battle,
Painted for all the world to see,
No weapons of war can harm me,
For the Great Spirit rides with me.

For my name is Running Bear,
And Lakota by birth,
The great Wakan Tanka,
Placed me on this earth.

September 1998