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Wovoka and Resistance: Reimagining the Origins of The Ghost Dance Movement
Presenter(s)
Carrie Barr
Abstract or Description
During the late 19th century Wovoka’s Ghost Dance impacted many Tribes throughout the United States, giving them hope for the future of their culture. I argue that Wovoka’s influences for his Ghost Dance came from his Paiute parents as well as the Wilson’s whom he worked for and whose roof he lived under. I also argue his goals for his Ghost Dance were to empower and give hope to his fellow Indigenous people during their darkest of days.
Comments
Samadia Saquee4 years ago
HI! It seems like Wovoka's Ghost Dance and the Wounded knee massacre seem to be strongly linked, where/when did they start to be so heavily associated? Great research!
• • 1 comment
Carrie Barr4 years ago
Hi thanks for your question! From what I found in my research it seems that they were linked during and after Wovoka's Ghost Dance. Anthropologist James Mooney actually started studying Wovoka following the Wounded Knee massacre. But a lot of people today seem to link them together and seem to think Wovoka's Ghost Dance led to the massacre, when in fact Wovoka expressly was against violence and was very peaceful. His Ghost Dance changed a lot as it went through different Tribes and picked up many different interpretations, such as the ghost shirt worn during Wounded Knee.