Chief Arvol Looking Horse
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, is a revered spiritual leader dedicated to preserving his people’s traditions and advocating for peace, justice, and environmental harmony.
Rooted in ancestral wisdom and a deep connection to nature, his journey has made him a powerful voice for Indigenous rights and a beacon of hope for a more balanced world.
Born on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in 1954 into a lineage of spiritual leaders, Arvol Looking Horse was entrusted at a young age with the sacred responsibility of safeguarding the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, representing his position as a spiritual guide and protector of Lakota traditions.
He teaches the importance of living in balance with Mother Earth, respecting the sacredness of all living beings, and honoring the interconnectedness of all things.
Chief Looking Horse has traveled extensively, spreading a message of peace and unity. He advocates for protecting sacred places and strengthening relationships between humans and the natural world.
In 1996, Chief Arvol Looking Horse initiated the annual World Peace and Prayer Day on the summer solstice, inviting people of all faiths and nations to pray for the Earth. In 1993, he attended the United Nations’ “Cry of the Earth” Conference in New York and gave the opening prayer alongside elders from various nations. In 1998, he addressed the United Nations on the topics of sacred sites and religious freedom. This was the first time that a U.N. representative took note and brought issues related to Indigenous religious freedom for discussion to the U.N. in Geneva, Switzerland.
His unwavering dedication to preserving his people’s traditions and promoting harmony among all beings has made him a respected leader and a symbol of hope for a more balanced and respectful world.
“It’s everyday life for us that we hold Grandmother Earth sacred, we hold the trees and the plants, everything has a spirit. We need people to be really respectful for each other. The Great Spirit put us here all together. If we’re going to survive, we need to have spirit and compassion. We’re asking people to go to their sacred places or sacred spaces to pray.”
