by Hyemeyohsts Storm

Seven Arrows is the first book about the ancient ways of the Plains People to be written entirely by an Indian. Hyemeyohsts Storm is a Northern Cheyenne, born on the Lame Deer Agency in Montana. His first teachers were the elders of his tribe. Form them he learned about the Sun Dance and the Medicine Wheel, and he was trained by them to be a Shield Maker. He has written 'Seven Arrows' to tell us of these things we learned. 'Seven Arrows' is a book about many things. It is a moving novel about the Plains People and their proud but doomed struggle against the white tide and its 'Manifest Destiny.' It is also about the Peace Chiefs, Hawk, Night Bear, and Green Fire Mouse, and the Brotherhood of the Shields. From their stories we learn to understand the symbolic meaning of the People's Names and Shields, and of the Medicines of the Four Great Directions. We learn also of the centrality of the Vision Quest. But as its core 'Seven Arrows' is about the Sun Dance, the Medicine Wheel, and the Sacred Hoop of the People. It is about the equality and brotherhood of all the Earth's creatures and the Great Balancing Harmony of the Total Universe. It is about 'Heamavihio,' the Breath of Wisdom, and 'Miaheyyun,' the Universal Understanding. It is a book about the hearts, minds and spirits of all People.