A journey of discovery: Exploring the values, culture and history of the Native American Indians

Philipp Müller shares an insight into how his interest in the Native Americans began, and what he learned during a recent visit to South Dakota, seeing how they live today and why horsemanship is still ingrained in their culture. 

What do you find so compelling about the Native Americans and their history and when did this interest start? 

It all started with a book about buffalo, which my godfather, a famous Swiss writer, gave me for my birthday at a young age. I was immediately captivated by the Wild West and then the story, the bravery and the fate of the Native Americans.

Why was it important for you to visit the Native Americans to find out more about their way of life?

Meeting real Native Americans - descendants of these famous warriors and ancestors of those people I heard and read so much about - was simply a must for me. And clearly, the chance to meet Ernie Lapointe, the great grandson of Sitting Bull, was an unforgettable experience. It felt like ‘’touching history“, and was quite emotional.

Which places did you visit on your trip? Please describe the towns, landscapes and activities you did? 

The starting Point was Rapid City, the Capital of South Dakota (often called Racist city by the Native Americans, because they still treat the First Nation people like second class people), from there, we drove around in Pineridge, a big reservation of the Lakota Sioux, where many historic and meaningful places of Native American culture are found. We had a Native American as a personal guide. Her name is Bear Heart Woman, and she showed us around, explained the history to us and showed us the present life of the Native Americans. 

It was truly impressive to meet the Native Americans and to see the way they (have to) live today. We drove through the Badlands where we visited the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Black Hills, the sacred mountains of the Native Americans, where the white people disgracefully carved out the Rushmore memorial. We also went to the Wounded Knee memorial, where more than 250 Native Americans people were killed in a massacre in 1890, and we visited the buffalo on the plains and learned about the respect the Native Americans have for the buffalo. When they needed to kill one to live, they fed the elderly and children first, and they used every part of the animal with no waste. Furthermore, we visited the Waldorf-Lakota school, which gave us happy and very sad moments at the same time. Finally, we visited a big Pow Wow in Rapid City - a celebration of American Indian culture - with an attendance of more than 20,000 people, which was truly spectacular with dancing and singing.

How did you find and get in touch with Ernie Lapointe? 

This wasn‘t easy. But luckily enough, I found a contact in Switzerland; a professor who deals with Native American history and who met Ernie several times. He helped me to get in touch.

How has your friendship with Ernie given you a greater understanding of the Native Americans? 

Ernie gave me some very important insights, especially from a spiritual point of view. There is still so much to learn about the culture of the Native Americans, it is such a great heritage that must never be forgotten and deserves to be kept alive now more than ever.

Were there any other people you met who’ve had a lasting impact on you, and why? 

Clearly, meeting Great Bear Woman had a profound impact on me. Hearing all her stories about the past and present and the lives of Native Americans has left a deep mark in my heart. She gave us insights which are truly memorable and often heartbreaking. The sadness and the pride of the Lakota people sticks with me and has confirmed what I expected; they have had everything taken away, including their culture, and yet their values remain embedded and unwavering.

What are the most interesting and important things you’ve learned about the Native Americans?

I should mention the 7 Lakota values - generosity, fortitude, compassion, kinship, respect, wisdom and prayer. The way they treat each other, their respect for old people, their care for the young people, the support of the tribe members between each other, and especially the respect of nature including the animals is exemplary to me, and still applicable today.

How is horsemanship ingrained in their culture? 

Native Americans in North America first encountered horses in the 16th century, introduced by Spanish explorers arriving in present-day Mexico. The Comanche were among the first to adopt horses extensively, transitioning to a fully mounted nomadic lifestyle by the early 18th century. The Lakota, initially residing in the upper Mississippi region, acquired horses around the mid-18th century, which significantly transformed their culture and mobility. Prior to this, dogs (šúŋka) served as their primary pack animals. With the introduction of horses, these animals took over the role of burden carriers, leading the Lakota to refer to them as 'šúŋkawakȟáŋ,' meaning 'sacred dog.' This nomenclature reflects the profound impact horses had on their society, elevating their status to that of revered beings within the Lakota culture.

How has their relationship with the horse changed over time?

The relationship between the Native Americans and horses has undergone significant transformations over time. In the mid-18th century, the Lakota for example integrated horses into their society, revolutionizing their mobility, hunting practices and warfare strategies. However, in the late 19th century, U.S. government policies aimed at suppressing Indigenous cultures led to the forceful confiscation of horses and the confinement of the Lakota to reservations. This period saw a deliberate effort to dismantle the profound bond between the Lakota and their horses. In recent decades, there has been a cultural resurgence among the Lakota, with horses once again becoming central to their way of life. Many Lakota now maintain horse herds and participate in annual commemorative rides, such as the Big Foot Memorial Ride to Wounded Knee; honour historical events; and serve as acts of remembrance and healing. These rides not only pay tribute to ancestors, but also reinforce the enduring spiritual and cultural connection between the Lakota and their horses.

What are the Lakota Values and how are you applying them in polo to guide Standing Rock? 

The 7 Lakota Values are inspiring and timeless. We adopted them and translated them into 5 values that are at the core of our polo organization - iconic, honourable, unbridled, proficient and vibrant. This is the DNA of our polo team Standing Rock.