John Denver & Dean Evenson - Chief Fools Crow 88th Birthday Pow Wow, 1977 - Pine Ridge, SD

In 1977, Dean Evenson traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation to reconnect with Native elders he had met four years earlier during the Wounded Knee Occupation. He and his family were invited to attend the 88th birthday pow wow for ‘Grandpa’ Frank Fools Crow. They camped out the night before and next morning were surprised to learn that John Denver was also there. They met him at a nearby campfire chatting with Buddy Red Bow, a popular Lakota singer. Later during the afternoon celebration, John Denver performed some his classic songs for the chief and assembled tribal members. Dean offered to give him flute support which John accepted.

Dudley Evenson was behind the camera capturing the moment on video with the Sony Portapack, the early half inch, reel to reel, black and white video which has been carefully preserved over many decades. John does a special version of ‘Country Roads’ for another elder, Nellie Red Owl, who was also celebrating her birthday. In the process of panning the crowd of tribal members as they listened, she was taken by the beauty of their faces and shouted out to John to switch the lyrics to say “South Dakota, mountain mama, take me home…” John picked up on that phrase to the thrill of all who were listening.

Later that evening, Dean and Dudley, along with John Denver and others gathered in a tipi and had the honor of being part of a pipe ceremony led by Fools Crow using a pipe that apparently had belonged to Crazy Horse.

Chief Frank Fools Crow was a spiritual and civic leader of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) tribe who had led the traditional faction during the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation. Dean Evenson and video team had traveled to South Dakota then to videotape the standoff. When the occupation ended, Dean stayed in South Dakota for a month, learning from elders and tribal members about their traditions, their respect for the planet, as well as the challenges they faced. Fools Crow hosted the first ever negotiations with tribal members and White House representatives on his land which Dean videotaped.

For more video on this gathering, watch Frank Fools Crow 88th Birthday Pow Wow Pine Ridge Reservation, SD:    • Chief Frank Fools Crow 88th Birthday ...  

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