While on vacation in the Black Hills, a team of French documentary makers heard about Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk and decided to investigate. Director Nina Barbier and cameraman Dominique Leaurve are working on a documentary for France 2 – which is one of the major French broadcasting channels. It is for a regular program, “Le Jour Du Seigneur” which translates “The Day of the Lord.” They sought out Diocesan Archivist Kathy Cordes, who plays a significant role in the cause for Black Elk’s canonization.

Bishop Scott Bullock being interviewed by Nina Barrier (Photo by Laurie Hallstrom)

 The filmmakers conducted an interview with Bishop Scott Bullock and attended the Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk Memorial Mass — which Bishop Bullock presided at on August 17. It was held at Holy Rosary Church, Pine Ridge. While in Pine Ridge, they interviewed several elders.

They have conducted more research according to Cordes, “They went to see Amy Cary, the archivist at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have also been in contact with Mark Thiel (the retired, long-time archivist for the Jesuit university).”

Separately, Mark Meeks, an online Catholic Bookstore owner from Irving, Texas, was on vacation with his family. On his way through Rapid City to Wyoming, he picked up a book about Black Elk to read on his vacation. Coincidentally, he ended up at the same Black Elk Memorial Mass as the French documentary makers. He wrote a post about his experience, and it was picked up by EWTN, which has now been viewed by thousands of online readers.

Meeks learned in his reading that Black Elk had a vision as a young boy of the apocalypse of his people and their subsequent renewal. “As we drove back to Rapid City, I realized we were going through so many important locations for (Black Elk) and his people. I had the strong desire in my heart to visit his grave and pray … We attended Mass at the Holy Rosary Mission, and providentially, the Mass was honoring Nicholas Black Elk with (Bishop Bullock) celebrating. It was beautiful. … afterward, we found his grave … and I went and prayed a rosary.”

Deacon Bill White, Porcupine, served at the August 17 Memorial Mass. After that he was attending the 86th Annual Tekakwitha Conference in Las Cruces, N.M., when he was asked to record a podcast with Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro. Deacon White is the diocesan postulator of the cause for Black Elk. Doctor Bottaro is the founder of CatholicPsych Institute in Mystic, Connecticut and was this year’s Pastoral Ministry Day’s keynote speaker. 

In the podcast, Bottaro describes Black Elk as a Lakota healer and Catholic catechist whose life bridges culture, faith, and the renewal of sacred time. As word spreads about the cause for sainthood, Deacon White said, “I’m getting calls from all over the U.S. and Germany. I’ve gotten letters from the people in the Czech Republic from people who are praying for Black Elk.”

Bottaro, noting that Black Elk had experienced trauma, including the Battle of Greasy Grass/Little Big Horn and the Wounded Knee Massacre, said, “Very seldom do we hear about growing through trauma or resilience and how we can come out on the other side. Christ is the first example, “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

Discussing Black Elk’s message, Deacon White said, “Nicholas judged people on their own merits. … Everyone is going to have to start seeing that we are all related. Nicholas could see salvation and not be stuck in the sin of people down here, and blame one race. Early on, he started praying for his enemies.”

He claims Black Elk is an inspiration for his own ministry. “He never burned out, he never lost his humor,” said Deacon White, adding his own grandmother was a contemporary of Black Elk.

Bottaro said that when he is despairing, he calls on Black Elk for aid with his mood. “Appealing to Black Elk for humor and levity can be profoundly effective,” he said.