Volume 4, No. 3 (Fall 2001) -- Native American Issue

High Elks Treasure
By Virginia Driving Hawk Sheve
Illustrated by Orne Lyons

In the autumn of the year 1876, a band of Brule’ Sioux gave up their freedom and permanently settled in the Dakota reservation. Among this pitiful little band was a youth called High Elk.

He took care of his ailing mothers and raised horses on his share of the land. Many years later, High Elk’s great grandson Joe, shared his love for horses.

One day Joe and his sister, Marie, left school after learning a storm was on the way. They did not make it home, but they made it to grandpa High Elk’s cave. Joe’s horse, Star, was afraid and ventured off into the creek and was swept down stream.

While in the cave, the children discovered a bundle wrapped in hides. Upon arriving home, they shared their find with the family. Mr. Iron Cloud, a historian from the University, was brought in to open the bundle.

As the story unfolds, Joe has many surprises at one time. He finds his horse, Star. He meets his cousin, Howard. The family mare "Sungwiye" has a brand new colt. But above all, Joe learns that he has found a very valuable historical record which was recorded by his great grandfather, hundreds of years ago.

It is just the beginning of many adventures for Joe and his family, the High Elks, and his family, and what a fitting name for the new colt "Otokahe" which means "beginning" in the Lakota language.