Henry Red Cloud is a fifth generation direct descendant of Mahpiya Luta (Chief Red Cloud) one of the last Lakota war chiefs and a signer of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty. Henry has been a protector of the Lakota Oyate for decades and a teacher of renewable energy and sustainable building for almost twenty years. He teaches a “New Way to Honor the Old Ways” to students from more than 50 tribes across the Northern Plains and far beyond.
Over the last two years he prepared himself through four phases of preparation to take on more responsibility and his efforts culminated this last weekend when more than 100 people gathered at Bear Butte, South Dakota, the sacred vision quest area and participated in his “Making of a Chief Ceremony”.
Chief Henry Red Cloud
Chief Henry Red Cloud and Chief Spotted Tail
Leonard Crow Dog – Lakota Spiritual Leader
Lula Red Cloud, Matriarch of the Red Cloud family and Chief Henry Red Cloud accepting congratulations
The Ceremony was organized by Lula Red Cloud, the Matriarch and oldest woman of the Red Cloud family as well as other members of the Red Cloud family. Leonard Crow Dog, the great spiritual leader of the Lakota led the ceremony. Chief John Spotted Tail, Chief of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, the direct descendant of the legendary Chief Spotted Tail, placed the bonnet upon Henry’s head. Ivan Looking Horse was the Eyapaha (ceremony moderator) and Tamra Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail made the bonnet and was a major organizer and supporter of this historical event.
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