Editor pays tribute to works of Vine Deloria

By Katie Brown, Journal Staff Writer | Monday, May 01, 2006

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RAPID CITY -- Famed author and philosopher Vine Deloria Jr.'s greatest gift to the American Indian community was providing a way for the American Indian community to articulate outside their community, according to a former friend and co-editor.

"Vine gave us a way to talk to our white relatives," said George Tinker, a featured speaker Sunday at "Vine Deloria, Jr. and the Great Mystery: A Legacy of Analysis and Vision," the first in a series of three events to commemorate the late South Dakota author. The event at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was open to the public.

Deloria, who died Nov. 13, is best-known for his books such as "Custer Died for Your Sins," "God Is Red" and "Red Earth, White Lies."

Tinker, co-editor of the 30th edition of "God is Red," is a professor of American Indian cultures and religious traditions at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver.

Tinker said that although there are many people who wished that Deloria could have written "at least 20 more books," the resonance of his body of work stands as a testament to the man he considered a mentor and a friend.

"Vine is not gone," Tinker said. "He lives in those texts in an important way."

Deloria's last book, "The World We Used to Live in," was recently published.

"It was his last gift to all of us," Tinker said.

After Tinker's speech, he was joined by Gerald One Feather, Ingrid One Feather and Carole Anne Heart for a panel discussion.

Gerald One Feather is a Lakota elder and a founder of Oglala Lakota College. His wife, Ingrid One Feather, is a teacher at the Loneman School on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Heart is the executive director of the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairmen's Health Board.

Throughout the presentation, clips were shown from "The Great Mystery," a film soon to be released by Catherine Corona.

The event was presented by the Black Hills area group Bridges for Intercultural Understanding.

Two more events in the series are planned for later this year. One will focus on higher education for American Indians. The other will be called "Spirit and Resistance: Deloria's Political Thought."

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com