Many wonderful Native American storytellers in the past and in the present share the cultures of so many tribes, though few have ever been remembered quite like Kevin Locke. A shock wave could be felt in the whole world as people wondered, “Would we ever see the like?”
Kevin Locke, with his Lakota name of Tokeya Inajin, meant “The First to Arise.” And he did arise from school to school and from university to university and from festival to festival for over 40 years. When he was a guest, he offered a song as a sign of respect. A type of friendship and respect filled with the sacred could be felt within any room or space he inhabited.
Even with a full schedule, he took time to have the Native American Flute recognized by the state of South Dakota as State Indigenous Musical Instrument with all the advocacy and paperwork necessary to be official.
He stretched across nations and kept the Sioux Hoop Dance alive back in the 1980s that was in danger to be forgotten. This Dance, along with the 28-Hoop Dance of the Lakota, brought instant delight and awe from everyone.
Kevin Locke is known to say the Hoop Dance “represents love…represents the family, represents unity, represents beauty, peace and harmony, represents continuity, represents togetherness. All the good things.”
May we remember “all the good things” – not only about Kevin Locke but also about the world in which can be much beauty.
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You can see more details on Kevin Locke with the Story Artists Memorial.
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I appreciate Kevin Locke for how he taught and told for people around the world and gave continued respect and visibility to the Lakota Nation. Between his flute playing to hoop dancing to the songs and prayers he shared, we have been blessed. And will again when we see him again.
Kevin Locke still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.