Between 1918 and 1987, despite ceremonies being illegal, Wanbli Wakan (Holy Eagle) showed remarkable resilience in preserving sacred rituals on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In 1987, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act gave natives the right to practice their religion again legally.

Thanks for sharing the text with me. The corrected version is: "Thanks to individuals like Holy Eagle, their religion was preserved for future generations."

Holy Eagle became a mentor and spiritual advisor to Paul during his stay in Pine Ridge. His influence was instrumental in creating the "Other Voices—A Native American Tableau" collection of paintings. They both played crucial roles during the 1973 "Siege of Wounded Knee" protest. Holy Eagle was a lead negotiator for the Oglala Sioux, and Collins was a diplomatic liaison between the Oglala Sioux and the U.S. government.

Wanbli Wakan's dedication to supporting Lakota issues was unwavering, even in the last days of his 102-year journey on Earth. His outspoken advocacy was a testament to his lifelong commitment to the preservation of indigenous beliefs and the advancement of indigenous rights.