I write this here as a testament to my appreciation of both the life of Crazy Horse, who he was, what he struggled against, and the artist Korczak Ziolkowski, who dedicated his life to bringing notice to these ancient lands long populated by the indigenous peoples of this continent before we Europeans arrived and in the long estbalished human process proceeded to take what we wanted at the expense of the existing peoples.
Who was Crazy Horse?
Crazy Horse, known as Tȟašúŋke Witkó in Lakota, was a prominent Oglala Lakota leader and warrior, born around 1840 in the Black Hills of South Dakota. From a young age, he was recognized for his modesty, humility, and bravery. As he grew older, Crazy Horse became a key leader in the resistance against U.S. government policies and military actions aimed at forcing Native Americans onto reservations.
Crazy Horse played a significant role in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Alongside Sitting Bull and other leaders, he led a coalition of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors to a major victory over the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment. This battle is one of the most famous in Native American history and marked a significant moment of resistance against U.S. expansion.
Despite his efforts to protect his people's land and way of life, Crazy Horse eventually surrendered to U.S. troops in 1877. However, his surrender did not bring peace, as he was later killed under controversial circumstances while in custody at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. His death marked the end of a significant chapter in the struggle of Native Americans against U.S. encroachment.
Today, Crazy Horse is remembered as a symbol of Native American resistance and a hero who fought for his people's rights. His legacy is honored through the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This ongoing project, started in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota elder Henry Standing Bear, aims to celebrate Crazy Horse and Native American heritage. When completed, it will be the largest mountain carving in the world, depicting Crazy Horse riding a horse and pointing into the distance.
The artist Korczak Ziolkowski
The Crazy Horse Memorial, initiated by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski in 1948, remains an ongoing project dedicated to honoring the Lakota leader Crazy Horse and celebrating Native American heritage. Significant milestones have been achieved over the years, notably the completion of Crazy Horse's face in 1998. However, the vast scale of the project means it is still far from finished. The final sculpture is intended to depict Crazy Horse riding a horse and pointing into the distance, making it the largest mountain carving in the world. The project continues to advance through the support of private donations and admission fees, maintaining its independence from government funding.
The Ziolkowski family has played a crucial role in the progress of the Crazy Horse Memorial. After Korczak Ziolkowski's death in 1982, his wife Ruth and their ten children took over the project, ensuring his vision continued. Ruth Ziolkowski, in particular, was instrumental in pushing forward with the carving, focusing on the completion of Crazy Horse's face to inspire ongoing support and funding. Today, the family's dedication remains unwavering, with several of Korczak and Ruth's children and grandchildren actively involved in various aspects of the memorial's development. Their collective efforts are a testament to the family's commitment to honoring both Crazy Horse's legacy and Korczak Ziolkowski's monumental artistic vision.
I am embarking on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International. Please consider supporting me – learn more here Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ It was suggested that starting this blog and recording my retirement ride might incentivize people to contribute, and so here I am. (Conny, you know who you are!) It is 4 weeks today till I embark on my retirement ride that I am hoping serves dual purposes; to usher in the next chapter of my life, and to raise funds for children in need by supporting the charity Children International. I have been a supporter of Children International since 1991 and have sponsored several children since then. I have been very fortunate in my life, by the luck of being born into my fa
I have embarked on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International. Please consider supporting me – learn more here Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 3, 2024 Just a view of the effects of the rain here. Most of the towns along the Transpeninsular don't have paved roads nor do the businesses facing the highway. This makes for careful conservation as to where I can pull over in these towns. Just a little more mud... Just a little of what I am seeing on the Carratera Transpeninsular Apparently riding in the US for 2 years with the tourpack has not prepared it for use on the Transpeninsular highway.
I have embarked on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International. Please consider supporting me – learn more here Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 14, 2024 This blog post covers this itinerary from my arrival in Hidalgo del Parral late on April 7 after 415 butt numbing miles from Matzatlan through the adventures riding in the wind to Guachochi, down the canyon to Batopilas and back up including what happens when an 850lbs motorcycle stops moving forward going up a rocky steep incline, to the adventures in the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, meeting 3 cool young Chihuahuahenses on April 12.
Wow! What a great story.!
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