Ernie LaPointe to present “Perspectives on Sitting Bull, by a Grandson” at Crazy Horse Memorial
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RAZY HORSE MEMORIAL – Ernie LaPointe will present “Perspectives on Sitting Bull, by His Great Grandson” on Thursday, July 16th at 6 p.m. during the free Thursday Night Summer Performance & Lecture Series at Crazy Horse Memorial.
Earnest (Ernie) LaPointe, a disabled Vietnam Veteran, was born in 1948 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of South Dakota. He grew up in Rapid City, S.D. with his half-sister Marlene Little Spotted Horse. Their late mother Angelique LaPointe nee Spotted Horse was a housewife. His late father Claude LaPointe farmed on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and worked in a lumber yard in Rapid City.
On his mothers side he is the great grandson of Sitting Bull and Seen By Her Nation Woman, grandson of Standing Holy (Sitting Bull’s youngest daughter) whose Christian name was Mary Sitting Bull, and Urban Spotted Horse. His grandfather Spotted Horse was the son of Hunts Enemy and the grandson of Chief Charging Bear. His great grandmother’s (Tokala Win LaPointe) brother was Chief Painted Horse.
Ernie LaPointe spoke at the induction of Sitting Bull into the Hall of Fame of American Indian Chiefs at Anadarko, Oklahoma, in 1992. He has presented at the Battle of the Little Bighorn National Monument in Montana; at universities in Michigan and Ohio; the Custer Celebration in Monroe, Michigan; and Fort St. Joseph Museum in Niles, Michigan. He has also lectured in Germany and Finland.
Ernie works with Go Native America Tours and has assisted the History Channel in two documentaries in 2004 and 2005. He was also featured on German TV in March, 2009.
There will be free admission to Crazy Horse Memorial for those attending this education program, with a suggested donation of 3 cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive. After the program please take the time to tour the complex and stay for the spectacular laser light show at dark.
On July 23rd, the 2009 Summer Performance & Lecture Series will feature Marcella Ryan LeBeau, presenting “World War II Experiences & Fool Soldier Band History”.