The Mission of Emerson Elk: A Voice for Native Americans

The Mission of Emerson Elk: A Voice for Native Americans
Cemetery at Wounded Knee. Myriam Moran copyright 2014
John Christopher Fine
Updated:

Do the people of the past have a voice? History is written by the victors.

Emerson Elk, a fluent Lakota language speaker and full-blooded Lakota, speaks softly. He is proud of his heritage. With his wife, Jerilyn, he tries to correct the myth of white man’s history.

His is a quiet voice that speaks to any who will listen.

Background

Recently a federal judge in Tampa, Florida, returned treasure that was recovered by salvage in international waters to the Spanish government. The case made headlines, since the salvors used deep water technology to find a galleon that had transported gold and silver taken from conquered peoples in the New World. The vessel sank and was forgotten for centuries until it was discovered by the company Odyssey Marine Exploration and salvaged, and the treasure was brought to Florida.

Lakota Ways, teaching visitors different dances and stories of Lakota pople. Kiri Close in Red, Joseph Shopbell on the far right, Tyler One Horn in Black and Adonica Little-Sky on the far left. (Myriam Moran copyright 2014)
Lakota Ways, teaching visitors different dances and stories of Lakota pople. Kiri Close in Red, Joseph Shopbell on the far right, Tyler One Horn in Black and Adonica Little-Sky on the far left. Myriam Moran copyright 2014
John Christopher Fine
John Christopher Fine
Author
John Christopher Fine is a marine biologist with two doctoral degrees, has authored 25 books, including award-winning books dealing with ocean pollution. He is a liaison officer of the U.N. Environment Program and the Confederation Mondiale for ocean matters. He is a member of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences in honor of his books in the field of education. He has received international recognition for his pioneering work investigating toxic waste contamination of our land and water.