As told me by my Hunka Ate, Lionel Kinunua, Minneconju, Cheyenne River Reservation.
By 22, Crazy Horse was already becoming a hero to the Oceti Sakowon. His compelling charisma and remarkable skills as a seasoned warrior earned him the admiration and respect of everyone except for a jealous uncle. As Crazy Horse's popularity grew, so did his uncle's resentment and envy.
Driven by jealousy, the uncle resorted to criticizing, slandering, and backbiting Crazy Horse. However, Crazy Horse, who had been taught to respect his elders, chose not to respond to his uncle's malicious actions. Instead, he observed how his uncle's behavior was causing disunity within the Camp, a community that valued harmony and togetherness.
Deeply rooted in Oceti Sakowin's spiritual teachings is "To be a good relative," Crazy Horse recognized the importance of maintaining unity and fostering positive relationships among the People. He realized his uncle's jealousy and divisive actions hurt the entire community.
Determined to address the issue and restore harmony, Crazy Horse turned to prayer for guidance.
When the Camp awoke the following day, they discovered that Crazy Horse and his family had disappeared, along with their tipi. This sudden departure further fueled his uncle's criticism, leading to even more disunity.
However, Crazy Horse's relatives, sensing the significance of the situation, searched for him. Eventually, they found Crazy Horse and his tipi, located approximately 20 miles down the river from the Camp.
Despite his uncle's ongoing backbiting and slander, Crazy Horse's actions sparked a profound realization within the Camp. The people began quietly discussing the detrimental effects of disunity and contemplated the steps they could take to resolve the situation. They understood that unity was the foundation of their community and that they needed to come together to support Crazy Horse.
Four mornings after Crazy Horse's departure, his uncle woke up to find that his tipi was the only one left in the camp circle. To his astonishment, he discovered that everyone else had silently packed their belongings during the night and chosen to camp with Crazy Horse. The once-divided community had united, sending a powerful message of solidarity and support.
Crazy Horse was not happy with his uncle being left behind as he loved and felt compassion for his Uncle, even though his Uncle’s hurtful behavior caused disunity. Crazy Horse was always a “Good Relative!”
The next morning, as the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the camp, Crazy Horse made his way to a sacred Sweat Lodge. It was a place of purification, reflection, and seeking guidance from the spiritual realm. He sat silently inside the dark lodge, letting his mind settle and his heart open with the hot steam from the red-hot rocks.
With sincerity and humility, Crazy Horse prayed to the Great Spirit, seeking guidance on handling the situation with his jealous uncle. He asked for wisdom, strength, and understanding. He sought a path that would restore harmony within the People and uphold the teachings of the Oceti Sakowin.
As he finished his prayers, a sense of clarity washed over him. Crazy Horse realized he needed to address the issue directly but with compassion and empathy. He understood that his uncle's jealousy stemmed from his insecurities and fears, and it was important to approach him with understanding and love rather than anger. To be a good relative!
Leaving the Sweat Lodge, Crazy Horse rode to his uncle’s single tipi. He entered without hesitation and found his uncle sitting by the fire, brooding in his thoughts. With respect, Crazy Horse approached and sat beside him, briefly sharing a solemn silence.
"Uncle," Crazy Horse began gently, his voice filled with warmth and compassion, "I have noticed the discontent that has grown between us. It saddens me to see this division within our camp, as it goes against the very teachings we hold dear."
His uncle looked up, surprised by Crazy Horse's calm demeanor. He had expected a confrontation, but the young warrior's words were unexpectedly kind. Intrigued, he listened intently, his anger slowly giving way to curiosity.
"I understand that you have concerns and frustrations, Uncle," Crazy Horse continued, his eyes reflecting genuine empathy. "But we are family, bound by blood and shared history. Our strength lies in unity, in coming together for the well-being of our people. We must find a way to resolve our differences and walk the path of respect and harmony once more."
Crazy Horse's words resonated deeply with his uncle. The wisdom and maturity displayed by his young nephew were humbling. He realized his jealousy had clouded his judgment and caused harm to those he cared about.
Touched by Crazy Horse's sincerity, the uncle's heart softened. He recognized the error of his ways and the damage caused by his actions. With tears welling up in his eyes, he apologized to Crazy Horse and vowed to change his behavior.
From that day forward, Crazy Horse and his uncle worked together to mend the fractures within the camp. They sought opportunities to unite people, organizing communal activities celebrating the strength and unity of the Oceti Sakowin. Their renewed bond symbolized healing and reconciliation, inspiring others to set aside their differences and focus on the common good.
As the camp flourished under the renewed spirit of unity, Crazy Horse's leadership qualities shone even brighter. His compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to his people earned him even greater respect and admiration. He became a unifying force within the Oceti Sakowin, a beacon of hope and guidance during challenging times.
This part of Crazy Horse's journey taught him that true strength lay in physical prowess and overcoming internal and external conflicts with compassion and understanding. Through his unwavering dedication to his people's principles, he became a legendary figure, remembered today as a leader who embodied the spirit of courage, humility, compassion, justice, unity, and respect.
At that time, little did Crazy Horse realize that in just a few short years, his arms would be held by two relatives while a soldier stuck him in the back with a bayonet. But Crazy Horse knew that this physical world of time and space was just a hollow shadow compared to the Spiritual Worlds he had experienced throughout his life.
Not long before he was killed, Crazy Horse said, “ I will return through the thunder, lightning, and rain!”
