Martin !

Case Martin

Mr. Webb - N3

Introduction to Philosophy

20 February 2017

Lame Deer Reflection

Lame Deer identifies himself throughout the story by Indian things, not by white mens words.

He is Maka tanhan wicasa wan and Ikee Wicasa, not a Sioux or Dakota. This theme of an Indian identity

and Indian definitions is constant throughout Lame Deers passage, Lame Deer, Seeker Of Visions: The

Life Of A Sioux Medicine Man. Lame Deer constantly purposes an Indian word with an English definition

second. This indicates that his native identity is more valuable to him than his English one. He is a natural

human, the free, wild, common people, not an American Indian.

To support is identity, he builds off of the stories that were told to him by fathers and other tribe

members: stories of the Cluster Battle and the Wounded Knee Massacre. These horrific duties against

Lame Deers people build his own identity. These events are significant to him, and he uses them to

define himself and his people. In regards to David Humes perceptual definition of personal identity,

Lame Deer defines himself through his tribes perception of the events that they have survived. The

medicine mans dust-filled perception of the Cluster Battle, his grandfathers perception of the Wounded

Knee massacre, his fathers perception of the white man, all of these things help define Lame Deer and

his people.

Lame Deer defines himself through his ancestors, his grandfathers and his father, his tribe and his

nation. Lame Deer takes pride in his Native American identity, so that is his basis of self. I have no

significant ancestry. Therefore, I cannot base my personal identity on an insignificant bloodline.

Especially in addition to modern American society, I define myself through my own definitions. I make

myself who I am. My thoughts, my words, and my actions define me: not the thoughts, words, or actions

of the people before me.

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