In Honor of Jim Gillihan

Dr. James Gillihan  -  Tatanka Ska (White Buffalo)

May 23, 1935 - June 7,2002

There is a poem that is titled How Do You Live Your Dash?  The dash that sits between the physical birth day and the day of his passing encompasses one of the most remarkable and fascinating people to ever present at a T.E.A.M. Conference. The four qualities of a Lakota warrior are: bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom.  Dr. Jim Gillihan exemplified each one of these qualities and much more.

As a young man growing up in southern Illinois he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, and at that time he was the most highly decorated scout in the history of the Boy Scouting.  He worked his way through college and became a trained archeologist and work for seven years in the field around Southern Illinois.  During the early 1960's he was involved in sites slated for destruction by road crews in Illinois and Missouri.  These sites not only uncovered artifacts, but often disturbed burial grounds.

Jim was of Irish and Cherokee heritage.  His great-grandparents traveled on the Trail of Tears and Jim's BIA card identified him as five-eights Cherokee. He returned to the Cherokee people in Oklahoma for guidance.  There he vowed never to disturb burial sites and dedicated his life to quietly returning and re-interning human remains across America.  He provided this service for the remains of well over one thousand people.

Jim had an encyclopedic mind and his recall for facts and details was amazing.  He was awarded an honorary Doctorate from Sussex University, in England, for a paper he wrote, in his spare time, about the artists of the old west.  Since 1964 he was the senior appraiser for Gillihan and Associates. He specialized in Native American Art, Nineteenth Century Antiques, and Twentieth Century Art.  He directed public museums in Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, and Arkansas. He served on the advisory boards of the Illinois Historic Preservation Commission, the South Dakota Committee on the Humanities, Grant Review Committee of the Illinois Arts Council, and the Advisory Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  Jim was also Vice President of both Wabash Valley, and Yankton Colleges in South Dakota.

Jim was accorded the highest civilian honor in four different states.  In 1970, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller bestowed on Jim the Arkansas Traveler Award.  Jim was designated  a South Dakota Ambassador  by Governor Richard in Kneip in 1976 and Governor Brereton Jones named Jim Kentucky Colonial  in 1992.  On April 27, 1998, Jim was named Sagamore of the Wabash  by Governor Frank OÕbannon for his "Outstanding efforts on behalf of Native Americans in Reburial and Repatriation, his establishment of the state's first Cave Rescue Team, and his work in various state cultural institutions."  In addition, he was honored as the 1999 Prairyerth Living Treasure of North American Heritage Award  by the Prairyerth Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

In 1972, two years after he became the director of the Natural History Museum of the University of the University of South Dakota, Jim was adopted by Yankton Elder, Joseph Rock Boy and given the name, Tatanka Ska or White Buffalo.  Jim and Joe would go and visit the elders as part of his work.  Joe Rock Boy said, "They will never speak to you in English. So these are the last words in English you will ever hear me speak."  Jim probably spent more time with elders than anyone you will ever meet.

Recognized as a man with good intentions and a good heart, religious leaders such as Fools Crow, Lame Deer, Henry Crow Dog, Matthew King, and Joe Rock Boy taught him their language, traditions, ceremonies and ways of the Lakota/Dakota people. These men wished to share an Earth-centered way of life with all people, regardless of their race, color, sex, or religious views and taught Jim to do the same.  Jim became a native speaker and well versed in the traditional ways.

In 1973, he was appointed Cultural Preservation Director for the state of South Dakota and served as the governor's liaison to the traditional Lakota people.  That was the year of the 'standoff' at Wounded Knee.  Jim was able to help with the peaceful negotiations between the federal marshals and the embattled Indians.  Many, many lives were saved due to his efforts as a quiet, behind the scenes, peacemaker.

In 1977-78 Jim was diagnosed with cancer. A series of operations and chemotherapy followed.  His weight went from 240 pounds to 116 pounds.  In January 1978, the doctors told Jim there was nothing they could do for him and he should make his final plans. The Lakota/Dakota people remembered their friend and adopted brother with prayers and ceremonies.  Frank Fools Crow, the recognized Medicine Man, sent Charles Fast Horse and his brother Douglas to conduct a Pipe ceremony at the hospital where Jim stayed.  Charles received permission to conduct the pipe ceremony in the Jim's hospital room.  Charles said to Jim, "This is a tough one, it will take four days."  Four days later, the doctors could find no trace of any cancer in his body and it did not return.  The doctors asked Jim if those men could come back and help the other patients. Jim answered, "It will not work unless you really believe it works."

Jim returned home and the only food he could really keep down was peanut butter, but it was able to add some weight and strength to his frail body.  When Jim was a 'robust' 130 some pounds he wanted to thank Frank Fools Crow  and drove out to South Dakota.  Fools Crow said, "Jim, I need you to do something for me.  I have had Sitting Bull's Sacred Pipe under my bed for about thirty years, and have not been a very good keeper of it.  I would like you to take care of this pipe and pray for the people.  If this goes to a reservation it will never be seen again."  Jim was surprised and responded by saying, "Why would you give that to me? I am not even Lakota."  Fools Crow responded by saying, "Spirit knows who you are, and the only wrong way to pray is not to pray."  Jim accepted this responsibility with total dedication and humility.

In 1978, this highly respected man of Cherokee heritage was made the fourth Keeper of Sitting Bull's Pipe by Frank Fools Crow, Spiritual Leader and Medicine Man of the Lakota Nation.  He carried it with humble dignity in service for the People for twenty-four years.  Jim refused to accept or take any recompense for his healing work with Sitting Bull's Pipe.  Jim's purpose was to help others discover "The Red Road Philosophy" whatever their religious views, and incorporate an Earth-centered consciousness in their daily lives through introspection and regular communion with a higher being.  He did this by leading an exemplary life style and by leading ceremonies and teaching others by personal example.  One of Jim's favorite experiences was sharing Sitting Bull's  Pipe with a group of Tibetan Monks on the main altar in their temple.

Healing from cancer without a family close had an effect on Jim.  Through a vision, he founded and became the father of the "Spotted Red Bead People (Psito Luta Gleska Oyate)" and proceeded to adopt people by giving them a small red bead with white spots on it, "Including the Dali Lama." To date 24 years later, hundreds have received one of these beads.  The number of "adopted" family members is unknown but live all over the world.

Even though he was a cancer survivor with only one lung and one kidney, Jim became a Sun Dancer in 1997.  His commitment was to dance for a vision for the next keeper of Sitting Bull's Pipe.  He danced for two years at the Salt Creek Sun Dance in Indiana, and his commitment was finished at the Mother Earth Sun Dance in Rose Bud with Norman Running.  With the support of Sitting Bull's descendants, Jim announced in 1998 that his youngest son, Thomas, would be the next Pipe Keeper within time.  In ill health shortly before his death and after discussion with spiritual leaders and friends he trusted, Jim decided to pass the Pipe to Nathan Chasing Horse, a young Lakota spiritual  man.  This was to happen at the Salt Creek Sundance in Indiana, July 12, 2002, but was not to be.

Jim was responsible for organizing the first Wisdom of Our Elders Gathering, in 1995, as part of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) International Conference, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  The Wisdom Gatherings have become an annual event and are held the first weekend in October at the Barn Abbey, in New Harmony, Indiana.  We just celebrated our 8th annual gathering and it is now a way for us to honor and remember a great friend and teacher.  Check our Fall newsletter or the web site for details and information.

If Jim was here with us, he would walk toward you with a big smile, give you a big bear hug (all 160 lbs.), then he would say, "Lets go for some biscuits and gravy."

Dr. Jim Gillihan lived his dash with honor, dedication, integrity, and a sense of purpose.  He demonstrated the four qualities of a warrior, namely: bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom.  Jim was a living ripple effect in action who made peace an action verb. We are honored at T.E.A.M. to have his name associated with our work.

Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related)

* contributors of this information was given by Melinda Perrin, Ginger Young, and Rita Reynolds.

** Quotations above come from stories and life experiences that Jim shared with those around him.

In May, 2002, the T.E.A.M. Conference Committee decided to establish two scholarships in the name of Dr. James Gillihan for his lifetime of service, honor and dedication. The scholarships are to honor two deserving people and help them  financially attend the T.E.A.M. Conference.  Jim was informed of the scholarships and was thrilled to become "a permanent part of the T.E.A.M. Conference."

 Jim had been attending and presenting workshops since 1995. His half day workshops on  Lakota, Cherokee, and Celtic customs, ceremonies, history, and traditions were always packed with interested participants.  His encyclopedic mind captivated people with the facts, stories and experiences he would recall and share.

Jim Gillihan was a warrior in every sense  of the word, but what he will be remembered for most was his kindness, patience, and the gentle way he helped people.  When you sat in his circles he made you feel welcome and aware that your presence was important.  People loved being around him as you would love sitting with your own grandfather.  Jim passed away on June 7, 2002, but he will never be forgotten by those of us who where fortunate to know him. Moments with Jim seemed like a life time.

Our two recipients for 2002 were the following:

* Rob Schader, who is a second year teacher at St. Pat's High school, in Chicago. Rob has written an article for the Ripple Effect newsletter (click here to view). You can read for yourself about the transformational effect Adventure/Challenge Education had on him.

* Le Moine LaPointe has worked for years in the adventure field, and is active in social justice and human rights.  In 2002, he organized the first experiential  conference for The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) in  Mission, South Dakota. His goal is to introduce this process to educators so they will use it in the school systems.  Mission, South Dakota, is LeMoine's home town and has one of the highest unemployment and teen suicide rates in the country.  He believes that adventure/challenge programs can instill a sense of hope in the community.

NOMINATIONS:  If you would like to nominate someone for the Dr. James Gillihan Award, submit a letter in writing to the T.E.A.M. Committee with as much information as you can supply about the person, as well as why you feel they deserve the scholarship.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Mail to:
T.E.A.M.
Physical Education Complex Building
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Ave.
Chicago, IL  60025