Wind in the Grasses Dancing By T

Book One
Dancing the Dream Series

When the United States Government issues an ultimatum to all non-treaty Indians to surrender to the reservations no later than January 31, 1876, Wind in the Grasses Dancing defies the mandate and joins Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse in the largest defensive stand in the history of the Lakota. As the threat of war becomes imminent and the Lakota’s world is thrown into chaos, Wind in the Grasses Dancing is faced with the most difficult decision of his life when he is torn between his love for Amber, the daughter of a local rancher, and his beloved people.

Amber Maxell, at the age of eighteen, follows her father to the western frontier where she encounters Wind in the Grasses Dancing, discovers a unique people, and embraces a passion so unequivocally that she is willing to sacrifice her family and a life of comfort, to defend, and if need be, to die for.

HISTORICAL FICTION

IN MEMORY OF...

Grandmother Ginny “Shinning Wolf” Severn.

Wayne Foster for all of his years of dedication as a doctor on the Rosebud Reservation. Regretfully, Wayne was spirited away after a bout with Cancer the year after our visit to the Reservation.

Crafty, Crabman, Little Capote, Mitakola Lakota and Kiowa, and Citkala Luta, some of the bravest warriors I shall ever know.

I shall never forget any of you, nor the lessons that you have shared with me, the paths that we have walked together.

Wa'ste la ke ni ye

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED…

To my husband Bruce, and to my mother and father, Jackie and Walter Payne. Thank you so much for your endless patience, and for believing in me, encouraging me, and supporting me, but especially for teaching me to follow my dreams.

To Caocoochie, Talking Eagle, Lightbearer and all those of The Whirling Rainbow Lodge; to the children, that they may pass on the old ways and traditions to the new generation of warriors and teachers.

To all those Native Peoples of Turtle Island who have fought so hard to preserve their language, traditions, dance and culture. May you never forget to Dance the Dream.

To Mitakola Tokalah, my faithful war pony, who was the inspiration for my Vision Quest.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks so much Mom and Dad for the word processor and the tape recorder; my brother Walt for helping me through the publishing process. Without them, this project would never have been completed.

A special thanks to Cindy “Talking Eagle” Thomas, Kelly “Cheyenne” Payne, and Lisa “Many Stars” Severn for teaching me the lesson of letting go.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to my dear friends Mike and Kay Arms, who taught me that “less is more.” To Debbie Orr, thanks so much for the crock pot. And to Dana Reider, Kathy Hugler, Patti and Dwain Saari, Lynne Hitchens, , Lynne Humphries, Marianne Brandt, Robert Hamel, DL Lemm, Helen Kreer, Marcia and John Kelly, Debbie Armstrong, Oma “Lightbearer” Learish, Terry Schramko, Cathy Price, Sandy Griffiths, Whistler, Amanda Burt, Denise O’Brien, Donna and Bruce Laabs, Cynthia McGinnes, Aunt Ellie Beck, Fran Dye, Chrissy Knopka, Charlotte Hill, Margaret Cowen, Lisa and Amy Kusnierczk, Eric Ayers, Mark and Judith Jackson, and my grandmother, Gladys Payne, and my brother, Walter Payne. Thank you all so much for your wisdom and encouragement throughout the years, and for believing in me.

To Keith and Matt Orr for your alternate title, “The Never Ending Story.” It still makes me laugh.

And to my extended family, the Whirling Rainbow Lodge.

Pila ma ya ye. Aho.

About the Author

My husband and I run a small farm on the eastern shore of Maryland where we have lived since 1977. Since 1992 I have worked at a nearby Thoroughbred farm as an Equine Mid-wife during the breeding season.

Native American studies have been my passion for the past thirty years. Since 1995 my research has been focused on the culture and history of the Lakota, which included four trips to Montana and the Dakotas. I have been an active member of the Whirling Rainbow Lodge since 2000, and have been honored with the privilege of serving as a Council Member. Under the supervision of the Shaman Caocoochee, I continue to walk the Medicine Path, and have participated in the Pipe Ceremony, the Sweat, and a four day Vision Quest.

A Note from the Author

I wish to thank you for purchasing my novel. Half of my proceeds will be donated to the Lakota for education, in keeping the traditions and the culture of the People alive. Pila ma ya ye. Aho.

REFERENCES

Anderson, Gary Clayton/Woolworth, Alan R.: Through Dakota Eyes
Manny Twofeathers: The Road to the Sundance
Manzione, Joseph: I Am Looking to the North for My Life
Mails, Thomas E: The Mystic Warriors of the Plains
Sandos, Mari: Crazy Horse, The Strange Man of the Oglalas; These Were the Sioux
Turner, C. Frank: Across the Medicine Line
Utley, Robert M: The Lance and the Shield, The Life and Times of Sitting Bull
Vaughn, J.W.: With Crook at the Rosebud
Weems, John Edward: The Last of the Indian Wars

A note from the author: Throughout the years I have read numerous books that I have used as references for this novel. The ones listed above however were most helpful, and an enjoy read.