The Crazy Horse Memorial

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The Crazy Horse monument is important to the United States not only for continuing the Native American Culture, sharing their beliefs, building pride within their Nations, but in supporting their communities. The Crazy Horse Memorial is not only a fascinating monument but an essential NDN (Native term for “Indian”) institution, in a time when it is needed most. The Crazy Horse Monument is privately funded by donations and revenue that the Monument has raised over the last 64 years, through the gift shops and included Museum. It gives NDN’s pride again in NDN’s socially, culturally, ethnically, as strong people, it educates and empowers. Sharing what it means to be NDN, not just in the Indian Nation communities, but with Anglo-Americans and the world.

The Crazy Horse Memorial began in 1948, by request of Chief Henry Standing Bear. “He wanted to carve a mountain to honor the heritage, tradition, and culture of North American Indians” (CHMRC: 2012). “Crazy Horse descendants feel the chief didn’t have the right to ask that such a thing be done” (Staff: 2012). Crazy Horse descendent, Elaine Quiver, was quoted saying how in Lakota culture consensus is required with the family, yet no one asked his descendants (Staff:2012). Buffy Turner, states “It feels like the whole community, including his descendants, should decide how to celebrate and teach his story. I don't feel like I should have any say ... it sounds crude and ugly, to desecrate the Paha Sapa,(Black Hills) in an imitation of white culture's grandiosity” (Turner, email:2013). Lance an NDN, adds a different perspective on this issue of descendants he states “Crazy Horse had no children that had lived only uncles and aunts and nephews and nieces, so there are no descendants, t...

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