Way of Wakan: Reflections on Lakota Spirituality and Grief, Paperback

Following the sudden death of his 27 year old daughter Felicity, in Way of Wakan, David Mathieu shares a moving personal understanding of Lakota (Sioux) beliefs surrounding death. Learned decades earlier from two Lakota medicine men on the Cheyenne River reservation in South Dakota, the author reflects on what he experienced long ago and how the death of Felicity has led to a deeper understanding of Lakota spirituality. Formerly a professor of American Indian Studies and teacher of Lakota language, David's newfound grasp of the Lakota notion of Wakan (mystery) reveals much that is universal about death and grief. Beginning as a funeral eulogy, Way of Wakan becomes an elegy, not only about the death of a beloved young daughter, but on the profound comfort that can be found in accepting the "not knowing" understanding of death and afterlife as with the Lakota.

About the Author:

Dr. David J. Mathieu began his professional career in higher education teaching full time in the Center of Indian Studies at Black Hills State University in 1974 in American Indian Studies and curricular support of the first two tribal colleges in South Dakota (Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska College); specifically teaching Lakota Language, tribal law and policy, and American Indian education methods. His teaching of these subjects continued at Dakota Wesleyan University, and he later also became the chief student affairs officer. David and his family then spent nearly five years in Japan where David served as one of the two founding administrators of Minnesota State University-Akita, a full overseas campus of the MSU system. Returning to the States in 1994 as College Dean, Eleanor Roosevelt College of the University of California, San Diego, David continued his involvement in international education and teaching in the UCSD department of Ethnic Studies. Later, a two year appointment as chief student affairs officer and chief graduate studies officer at Montana State University-Billings was followed by eight years as Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Normandale Community College in the Twin Cities. Until 2008, David served Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Enrollment Management for the University of Wisconsin Colleges System. Moving to Walden University at the beginning of Walden's first venture into undergraduate degree programs, David was responsible for all aspects of the general education curriculum for the University as well as undergraduate academic policy and the BS degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. His last administrative post before retirement was as Academic Vice President at Adler Graduate School. David received his BA in American Indian Studies and MA in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. His Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is from the University of South Dakota. David is now retired from higher education administration and devotes his professional time to writing, consulting, teaching and, mentoring as well as volunteer activities in the Twin Cities American Indian community.