Seven Arrows, an exquisitely illustrated epic chronicle of the Plains
Indians’ legends and traditions, has been eagerly read by followers of Native
Amer-ican culture for nearly a quarter of a century. Hyemeyohsts Storm’s
best-selling 1972 classic taught the Way of the Medicine Wheels — the
spiritual discipline and intricate science around which Native Americans
believe our universe is formed. Last year, Storm, a half-breed Northern
Cheyenne Indian, continued his “spiritual autobiography” with
Lightning-bolt, tracing the trail of the Zero Chiefs from the Mayans of
ancient Mezoamerica to the indigenous people of the Northwest.
As a young Cheyenne/Sioux/German mixed-blood — a metis — Hyemeyohsts
was scorned and attacked by both whites and Indians. One eye will never recover
from a severe beating, but rather than returning aggression or succumbing to
self-pity, Storm seeks to change perception through his books. He knows most of
humanity is now a mixed-blood, mixed-heritage people, and he believes the
Medicine Wheels will guide us all to save ourselves and our planet. In
Lightning-bolt, Hyemeyohsts also pays homage to Estcheemah, a Mayan Zero
Chief, and Holy Woman, who taught him that when all that is female is honored
equally to that which is male, then Balance will be restored to our world
through the Medicine Wheels. Hyemeyohsts Storm and his wife, Swan Storm,
will teach “Meeting Our Earth: the Way of the Medicine Wheels,” February 23-24
at St. Edward’s University. The workshop will be preceded by a free lecture,
“Circle of Law,” at the UT Law School, Townes Hall Rm. 2.124, Thursday,
February 22, 1:30-2:30pm, and an introductory lecture Friday evening at St.
Edward’s, 719-5323. — Marybeth Gradziel
This article appears in February 23 • 1996 and February 23 • 1996 (Cover).