The Lakota Way Study Guide

Introduction:

What characteristics does Marshall give to stories? What is the power of stories for the author?

Chapter 1: Humility How did No Moccasins get her name? What does it mean that No Moccasins “did a brave thing[but] cared not if anyone ever” knew? Interpret this statement: “A humble person rarely stumbles, the old ones say, because such a person walks with face toward the Earth and can see the path ahead. On the other hand, the arrogant man who walks with his head high to bask in the glory of the moment will stumble often because he is more concerned with the moment than with what lays ahead.” (19)

Chapter 2: Perseverance How was Iya defeated? What does Marshall mean by perseverance? What are Marshall’s best examples of perseverance?

Chapter 3: Respect “Wounds and injuries can heal, but your spirit is a different thing. If your spirit is hurt, sometimes it can never be well.” (39) Explain this quote. “Respect is a close relative of tolerance.” (44) Explain this quote. What does the John “Jay” Massey story about the Dall sheep show? (51)

Chapter 4: Honor What does the story of the giant snake and the man with the scar say about honor? Interpret this statement: “Perhaps it is difficult to believe in giant snakes, but I have lived long enough to know that there is much I don’t know.” (67) Examine Marshall’s examples of honorable and dishonorable behavior on pages 72 and 73. Is honor an important virtue in our society?

Chapter 5: Love “The world works best in balance.” (88) What does this have to do with a chapter on love?

Chapter 6: Sacrifice What happened to Red Shawl? “The gift of self is the most meaningful anyone can give.” (106) How can one give of the self? What is the meaning of the story of the deer whose antlers got tangled in the barbed wire?

Chapter 7: Truth Iktomi appears in many stories. How is the trickster an important figure in stories about truth? What form does Iktomi take when he comes to you? Why is truth important?

Chapter 8: Compassion Discuss the eagle’s compassion in relation to the girl? How does Marshall define compassion? (it’s on page 134) How can you take the hands of people in need? Chapter 9: Bravery Would you have done what Hoka did? How did Hoka become Naicinji? On page 155, Marshall syas that “life demands” bravery. What does he mean?

Chapter 10: Fortitude Who was Forgets Nothing? What is fortitude?

Chapter 11: Generosity What is generosity? Why should generosity “not be limited to humans?” (193)

Chapter 12: Wisdom Why did the village want a new leader? Why is there a story about gossip in a chapter about wisdom?

Afterword How important were family and kinship for the Lakota? Are they equally important in the many cultures of modern California? What is Walking the Circle? (223)

BIG QUESTIONS: How important is the physical environment in Marshall’s story? Do any of the virtues discussed by Marshall are most important? Can you value some but not others? Do some of the virtues require other virtues? What virtue do you hope to be remembered for above all others? Marshall’s answer was _____. Why does he choose that virtue?