The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation

by Charles A Eastman

Overview

"The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation" by Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa) offers a profound exploration of Native American spirituality and philosophy. This powerful spiritual autobiography delves into the core beliefs and values that shaped the lives of Indigenous peoples in North America. Eastman, writing from his unique perspective as both a traditionally raised Sioux Indian and a Western-educated physician, provides invaluable insights into the cultural identity and worldview of a people deeply connected to nature and the spirit world.

More than just a historical account, "The Soul of the Indian" is a testament to the enduring wisdom and spiritual depth of Native American traditions. Eastman illuminates the ethical principles, reverence for the natural world, and the importance of community that formed the bedrock of Indian life. This meticulously prepared print edition preserves the integrity of Eastman's original work, allowing readers to connect with his timeless reflections on faith, culture, and the essence of the human spirit. This book is invaluable for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Indian philosophy and spiritual heritage.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781022919372
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	46
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.10(d)

About the Author

Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa) (1858–1939) was a Dakota physician and writer. When as a young child his life was upended by the Dakota War of 1862, Eastman fled from the Dakota homelands in Minnesota to Canada under the protection of his grandmother and uncle. There he was schooled in Indigenous lifeways until the age of fifteen, when his father took him back to his homestead in present day South Dakota. Eastman received a bachelor of science degree from Dartmouth in 1887 and a medical degree from Boston University three years later. His first appointment as a physician was at the Pine Ridge Agency, where he cared for the Lakota victims of the Massacre at Wounded Knee. In addition to two autobiographical works, Indian Boyhood (Nebraska, 1991), and From the Deep Woods to Civilization (Nebraska, 1977), Eastman wrote nine other books, some in collaboration with his wife, Elaine Goodale Eastman. Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe) is Northrop Professor of American Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is the author of several books on Native American history, including Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families, 1900–1940 (Nebraska, 2000).
 

Table of Contents

Introduction by Brenda J. Child
Foreword
1. The Great Mystery
2. The Family Altar
3. Ceremonial and Symbolic Worship
4. Barbarism and the Moral Code
5. The Unwritten Scriptures
6. On the Border-Land of Spirits