ERDOES, RICHARD

American coauthor of a number of biographies (or partial autobiographies) of significantNative Americans, includingJohn Lame DeerandLeonard Crow Dog, along with a number of other relevant books such as his collection of “trickstertales.” In an epilogue toLame Deer, Seeker of Visions(coauthored with Lame Deer, 1972), Erdoes narrates his “first encounter with the American West” and his early acquaintance with Indians. These demonstrate that experiences of numinousnatureand gregarious,humorouspeople are at the core of Erdoes’s work. In contrast with the collaboration betweenNicholas Black ElkandJohn Neihardt, Erdoes is explicit about his motivations and creative role.