The story of our ancestors’ sacred belongings is one of loss, persistence, and unwavering commitment to justice. Over the years, countless efforts have been made by Calvin Spotted Elk, his father Jasper Spotted Elk, his brother Richard Spotted Elk, and many others to ensure these items are treated with the respect they deserve and returned to their rightful descendants.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Spotted Elk family became aware of sacred belongings, including a lock of Calvin’s grandfather’s hair, held at the Barre Library. Over decades, multiple trips, phone calls, and letters were sent to the library in hopes of repatriating these items. Sadly, the journey to reclaim these sacred belongings has been fraught with obstacles and heartache.

One devastating moment occurred when the Barre Library mistakenly repatriated the lock of hair to the wrong family, who subsequently destroyed it. Around the same time, Richard Spotted Elk was tragically killed, compounding the family’s grief. Because this tragedy was not widely known, the same family that destroyed the lock of hair also sought to burn other sacred belongings, a possibility Calvin fought to prevent.

In response, Calvin took proactive measures to protect these irreplaceable artifacts. He wrote letters to the tribal Chairmen and Women representing the descendants of Wounded Knee, urging them to ensure that no single family could unilaterally decide the fate of the sacred belongings. This effort sought to prevent further exploitation and to protect the legacy of Chief Spotted Elk and his descendants.

One of the central issues has been the claim by a particular family to be lineal descendants of Chief Spotted Elk. However, their claim is based on a book written by a non-Native author more than 50 years after Wounded Knee—a source that Calvin’s research has shown to be inaccurate. Calvin possesses probate records, historical documents, and other evidence proving they are not direct blood descendants of Chief Spotted Elk and, therefore, have no right to make decisions regarding his sacred belongings.

This history underscores the importance of accountability, transparency, and unity among descendants. As we build this website, we will document these efforts and include correspondence, historical records, and more under the “7 Generations Helpers” section. This history is not just about the belongings themselves but about the protection of our culture, our ancestors, and our future generations from further harm and exploitation.

Our work continues in honor of Chief Spotted Elk, his descendants, and the sacred legacy they left behind.

Calvin has repeatedly requested his grandfathers' (Spotted Elk and Flying Horse) belongings and any other belongings of his relatives be preserved for future generations.