The Center for the Study of Religion invites you to a conversation between Richard Moves Camp and the editor and associate editor of his book My Grandfather’s Altar: Five Generations of Lakota Holy Men. They will share stories from this oral-literary narrative account of five generations of Lakota religious tradition on Monday, May 6 from 4:00–5:30 pm at the UCLA Faculty Center (please note the change in location). Moves Camp is the great-great-grandson of Wóptuȟ’a (“Chips”), the holy man remembered for providing Crazy Horse with war medicines of power and protection. The Lakota remember the descendants of Wóptuȟ’a for their roles in preserving Lakota ceremonial traditions during the official prohibition period (1883–1934), when the U.S. Indian Religious Crimes Code outlawed Indian religious ceremonies with the threat of imprisonment.

Wóptuȟ’a, his two sons, James Moves Camp and Charles Horn Chips, his grandson Sam Moves Camp, and his great-great-grandson Richard Moves Camp all became well-respected Lakota spiritual leaders. My Grandfather’s Altar offers the rare opportunity to learn firsthand how one family’s descendants played a pivotal role in revitalizing Lakota religion in the twentieth century.

RSVP required. Reserve your space here for this in-person event. Reception to follow.

Richard Moves Camp (Oglala Lakota) is a fifth-generation Lakota healer, tribal historian, and spiritual leader. He teaches at Sinte Gleska University and lectures on Lakota history, culture and traditions. In 2021, he was named a Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow.

Moderated by Jennifer Jessum, book Producer and founder of the Mitakuye Foundation and Simon Joseph, book Editor and Lecturer for UCLA’s Study of Religion IDP.

This event is hosted by the Center for the Study of Religion and co-sponsored by the UCLA American Indian Studies Department, Steve Aron/Autry Museum of the American West, the UCLA American Indian Studies Center and the Mitakuye Foundation.