Mystical Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse

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Crazy Horse in stained glass

I had always thought of the Crazy Horse Memorial as some kind of unfinished monument turned tourist trap, so I wasn't prepared for the awesome experience of our visit this morning. Bob remembered being there 20 years ago on a bike trip with our young son -- one I remember well because I had a migraine the entire time they were gone. Bob was surprised to find a large visitors' center and museum where a few small buildings had stood the first time he was here, and preferred the more rustic venue. Unlike him, I didn't find the memorial overly commercialized. The exhibits are fairly well organized and professionally displayed, without pretense.

Chief Crazy Horse's face dominates the chunk of mountain it's carved on. I immediately felt an affinity for him and Korczak Ziolkowsky, the Polish American sculptor selected by Chief Henry Standing Bear to design and carve the morial. We began our visit with an excellent film about the ongoing project, one taken on as a mission by the sculptor's wife and ten children after his death.

An exhibit worth looking at

The museum is full of beautiful art created in many media. I particularly enjoyed meeting the September "featured artists", especially Lorri Ann Two Bulls, with whom I talked briefly about her art. She radiated warmth and peace, and I wondered if she minded being away from her work. She  said "No. This is what we do, and I enjoy this part of it just as much." I would have found it distasteful to have people picking over my work and haggling over price, but she took it all in stride. I felt recharged and happy in her presence.

Meanwhile, Bob had completed his tour of the museum and gift shop. I joined him outside on the deck, a pleasant space with beautiful potted flowers and a magnificent view of the Crazy Horse sculpture in the distance. It wasn't too crowded so I didn't feel rushed as I took a few pictures and soaked in the late morning sun.

I was left with a sense of wonder at the resilience of North American indigenous peoples and the beauty and power of their art. I can imagine myself in this beautiful place participating in a Richard Wagamese writing workshop or retreat grounded in Ignatian thought, so close to Lakota spirituality and sense of oneness with the universe.

We had to walk through the museum to get out and I lingered ... but Bob was by then a man on a mission to get me out of there, knowing that I could have spent the day. I will return.