Member of Oglala Sioux Tribe Speaks at Colorado State University Nov. 4

Walter Littlemoon, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and his wife, Jane Ridgway, described the impact federal Indian policies have had on his life and family history in his memoir, “They Call Me Uncivilized, The Memoir of an Everyday Lakota Man from Wounded Knee.” The couple will share their experiences in a lecture at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 in Eddy Room 10 on the Colorado State University campus.

The event is free and open to the public with a discussion immediately following the presentation.

The book reflects Littlemoon’s experiences of living through sanctioned prejudice and institutionalization. He offers a rare view into the cruelty inflicted on generations of Native American children through the implementation of U.S. government boarding schools, which resulted in a muted truth which some call Soul Wound.

Littlemoon brings to light a little known aspect of American history and his memoir has been described as bringing a flesh and blood perspective to the abstractions that are federal policies.

It is well known that in the centuries since Europeans came to the “New World”, tribal life was disrupted and largely destroyed in very tangible ways, through war and expropriation of territory. However, not many people know about the subtle, psychological ways in which Indian culture was subverted and how people suffered as a result.

A short documentary trailer called “Something’s Moving” featuring the voices of many other Native American boarding school survivors will be presented as part of the lecture.

The presentation is sponsored by CSU’s Department of Anthropology.

“They Called Me Uncivilized” is published by iUniverse, Inc. and is available at local bookstores.

-30-