International peacekeeper Chief Arvol Looking Horse to speak at Northland College

April 24, 2012

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, chief and spiritual leader for the three nations of the Sioux tribe, will speak at Northland College on Monday, April 30. Chief Looking Horse will discuss his journeys and thoughts on the need for peace, cultural identity and environmental protection. His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the Alvord Theatre at Northland College. The event, another offering in the Northland College Community Connections series, is free and open to the public.

Chief Looking Horse is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. As legend has it, a holy White Buffalo Woman brought the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe to the Lakota people, instructing them how to care for the pipe until one day she returned to help cleanse the world. The responsibility of holding the pipe was bestowed to Arvol Looking Horse at the age of 12, making him the youngest keeper of the sacred pipe. Chief Looking Horse is considered a spiritual leader among the Sioux tribe. He has been an advocate for peace and maintaining cultural traditions and practices.

"Chief Arvol Looking Horse examines questions surrounding identity, peace and culture in today's modern world," says Katrina Werchouski, Coordinator for Multicultural Programs at Northland College. "He encourages us all to reflect on how we live our lives and what we can do to promote the spiritual and environmental health of the world."

Chief Looking Horse has offered prayers that have been recited at meetings of the United Nations. He has received the Juliet Hollister Award from the Temple of Understanding, an organization that consults with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.