Dakota Cross-Bearer: The Life and World of a Native American Bishop [Hardcover]

Mary E. Cochran (Author), Martin Brokenleg (Introduction), Raymond A. Bucko (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Dakota Cross-Bearer is the story of Harold S. Jones, a Dakota Indian born in 1909 and raised on the Santee Reservation in Nebraska, who rose through the ranks of the Episcopal Church to become the first Native bishop of a Christian church. Jones’s biography sheds light on the importance of Christianity for the Dakotas and other Native peoples during the twentieth century. His story yields insights into the history of twentieth-century missionary activity among Native communities and illuminates instances of conflict and discrimination within the Episcopal Church, the processes of clerical training and testing, and the demands of constant relocation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mary E. Cochran’s Dakota Cross-Bearer demonstrates the best elements of good historic biography . . . [and] has made a major contribution to our understanding of religion and Native American identity."—North Dakota History

(North Dakota History )

"Cochran’s prose reads well and Jones’s inspirational life makes a compelling subject . . . the book provides an engaging account of a Christian Dakota negotiating twentieth-century America.”—Todd M. Kerstetter, Nebraska History

(Todd M. Kerstetter Nebraska History )

"Reading the account will bring tears for this is a very readable biography, written with all the suspense and emotion found in good fiction, but seldom in nonfiction."—Roundup Magazine

(Roundup Magazine )

From the Inside Flap

Dakota Cross-Bearer is the story of Harold S. Jones, a Dakota Indian born in 1909 and raised on the Santee Reservation in Nebraska, who rose through the ranks of the Episcopal Church to become the first Native bishop of a Christian church. Jones’s biography sheds light on the importance of Christianity for the Dakotas and other Native peoples during the twentieth century. His story yields insights into the history of twentieth-century missionary activity among Native communities and illuminates instances of conflict and discrimination within the Episcopal Church, the processes of clerical training and testing, and the demands of constant relocation. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803215118
• ISBN-13: 978-0803215115
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,456,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let this book impact your life !!, October 4, 2001

By 

L. Shanklin (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dakota Cross-Bearer: The Life and World of a Native American Bishop (Hardcover)

What a find this book is!!! Having spent time this summer working on the Pine Ridge Reservation among the Lakota, I was thrilled to read a book containing not only historical facts, but "real life" detail. The joy, humor, sorrow, endurance, and faithfulness of this man of God (and those whose lives entwined with his) truly touched me. This book may be sucessfully used for historical, theological, sociological, or devotional purposes. Make sure to read and reread Fr. Deloria's (Tipi Sapa) testimony concerning Jesus, several times. It is the most compelling witness I have ever heard. It is no wonder that the little one, who listened to this wise man speak, grew up to be a Bishop.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome documentation of missionary activities, March 24, 2001

By 

Stephen D. Glazier (University of Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dakota Cross-Bearer: The Life and World of a Native American Bishop (Hardcover)

Mary E. Cochran presents the story of Harold S. Jones, who in 1921 became the first American Indian bishop of the Episcopal Church. While much of Jones's narrative is in the third person, whenever possible editor Cochran allowed Jones to present his story "in his own words." Raymond A. Bucko and Martin Brokenleg's introduction does a good job of contextualizing Jones's story. The volume sheds considerable light on missionary activities among American Indians in the 20th century and offers welcome documentation of the complex interactions between Christian missionaries and Native peoples of the Plains. Choice, vol 28, no. 7 (March 2001).

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich South Dakota history, September 22, 2007

By 

Henry (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Dakota Cross-Bearer: The Life and World of a Native American Bishop (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful for all who are inspired to serve their own churches, a biography of Bishop Harold Jones of South Dakota, the trials and trbulations of a man making a name for himself within the Episcopal church, still leaves a lasting impression on clergy that knew this wonderful man, a man who can wonderfully sing lakota hymns ( told to me by a priest i know, who knew him well) and preach the gospel with great reverence. Bishop Jones is still talk of the South Dakota Episcopal Diocese now and the future, a role model for all who takes compassion, people and God as a way of life.