Wovoka (c. 1856 - September 20, 1932), also known as Jack Wilson, was the Northern Paiute religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement. Wovoka means ?wood cutter? in the Northern Paiute language. shaman and creator of the Ghost Dance]] Biography Wovoka was born in the Smith Valley area southeast of Carson City, Nevada, around the year 1856. Wovoka's father may have been the religious leader variously known as ?Tavibo? or ?Numu-Taibo? whose teachings were similar to those of Wovoka. Regardless, Wovoka clearly had some training as a shaman. Wovoka?s father died around the year 1870, and he was taken in by David Wilson, who was a rancher in the Yerington, Nevada area. Wovoka worked on Wilson?s ranch and used the name Jack Wilson when dealing with whites. David Wilson was a devout Christian, and Wovoka learned Christian theology and Bible stories while living with him. Wovoka gained a reputation as a powerful sh