Date: June 14, 2007
Contact: Christine Czazasty, 307-467-5283 x 224
June 14, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lakota Star Knowledge Program at Devils Tower
The Cultural Program Series continues at Devils Tower National Monument with Leonard Little Finger, the great-great grandson of Chief Big Foot. Mr. Little Finger will give a presentation on the “Lakota Star Knowledge” at 8:00 p.m. in the Devils Tower Amphitheatre on Friday, June 22.
Native Americans have been avid watchers of the sky, carefully noting the seasonal patterns of the sun, moon, stars and planets. The Lakota draw a parallel between several star constellations and specific sites in the Black Hills. Historically, as the sun moved into a particular constellation, the Lakota traveled to the site associated with that constellation. Mato Tipila Paha (Bear Lodge) or Devils Tower is one of those sites. This program will reveal the relationship between star knowledge and ceremonies of the Lakota people.
Mr. Little Finger is a respected elder well known for his Lakota expertise and his accomplishments as an administrator and public speaker. He is a key advisor to the Lakota Language Consortium and founding member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Little Finger has been in numerous film documentaries and radio shows, including: "The Last Chief" film documentary about Chief Big Foot; the "Wiping the Tears of the Seventh Generation" a 2000 Oscar-nominated film documentary; and a National Public Radio in-depth report, "Repatriation of Hair-lock belonging to Chief Big Foot" 2000.
All programs are free with paid $10/vehicle entrance fee into the monument. The program will move to the park's picnic shelter during inclement weather. For more information contact the Devils Tower Visitor Center at 307-467-5283 x 635 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/deto.
