original artwork Lakota Red Nations, KLooking Horse, acrylic on parfleche box detail
Summer’s here and so are our travels west. First we’re headed to Yellowstone and then Grand Teton. We’re honored to be part of the guest artist program at both of these parks. They’re considered crown jewels of the National Parks of the United States. And this year Yellowstone celebrates its 150th anniversary. Each year millions of tourists from throughout the world travel here to see some of the more well known sites; Old Faithful, mountain peaks, lakes, hot springs, bears, elk and bison to name a few. Natural beauty of epic proportions awe us.
But these national parks are more than tourist and recreation destination spots. They are majestic lands and waters important, even sacred to many Native peoples including the Oglala Lakota. For times immemorial which is to say thousands of years and more, before the United States was even thought of, our people have come to these places to pray and gain strength and sustenance shaping our cultural and spiritual memory and identity and who we are today.
traditional painted hand drumspainted mini drumstraditional artwork
Thus, each year returning to Grand Teton and Yellowstone is a homecoming of sorts. We look forward to sharing our stories with the visitors through our presentations, songs and our crafts. We’ll be at Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center June 25-July 2. Our daughter Kaulouyah will be joining us with her own exhibit of artwork. Then we’ll be at Colter Bay Visitors Center in the Grand Teton July 4-10. We look forward to seeing you!
Aho! Like the rest of the country arctic winds and snow have stormed through Pine Ridge, as they make there way further east on turtle island. Some days it’s too cold even to go outside, much less travel. Spring seems so far away…
winter at Pine Ridgewarm greetings
Inside, we’re working on all the crafts we’ll be taking on the road in the spring and later this summer. We continue to make our signature medicine bags. We’re also making traditional umbilical cord pouches. This year we’re making them with a turtle kéya design. Turtles and tortoises are found on almost every continent come in a variety of sizes and colors. Yet there round shape remain similar and common to all of them are protective domed shells. Turtles have appeared in art and stories throughout the world. Many peoples have relied on turtles for nourishment, medicine and tools. In Lakota culture the turtle is a symbol not only of Mother Earth but also of life itself. Turtles of whatever species have an amazing capacity to live on very little and even in less than optimum conditions. The life span of some species of tortoises exceeds that of humans. Turtles symbolize resilience and longevity; blessings that we wish for all mothers and children.
turtle themed bead workcompleted turtle themed medicine bag protection for after birth umbilical cordTurtle Kéya Themed Lakota Red Nations Artwork
Contact us for custom orders. You can reach us at [email protected] or on FB. Each item is handcrafted here at our home and we can ship almost anywhere. Different colors and designs can be made upon request for bags, drums and moccasins. Prices vary according to size and complexity of design.
painted turtle hand drum 13″Mother&Child, by Kaulouyah Mauni Lookinghorsepainted turtle hand drum 9″
Aho! We’re excited to let you know Kelly finished the first phase of his commissioned artwork “Cȟaŋgléška-Wakȟaŋ” or “Sacred Hoop,”. It will be placed in the Visitor Center at Wind Cave National Park. On Monday October 10, Indigenous People’s Day, the Visitor Center is hosting a series of events. Kelly will present on the significance of the hoop to the Lakota people. You can find details about the event here. Wind Cave National Park
This project is a milestone event for us; a culmination of many years of developing a creative process that shares the stories, lives and dreams of our people. We have a past, we live in the present and we grow into the future. In that way we’re like a tree; rooted and resilient. Like a hoop, made with flexible but strong branches from a tree, we’re strengthened through our connections with our ancestors, indeed ‘all our relations’ and our hopes for the future. The Sacred Hoop-Cȟaŋgléška-Wakȟaŋ continues to remind us of this.
Cottonwood in BloomMedicine WheelLRN HandDrumsLRN Free Spirit DreamCatcherPreparing Dream Catchers
We look forward to seeing you October 10 at Wind Cave!
Ónažiča -Stronghold Badlands National Park, South Dakota
This is the month of Wípazutkan Wasté Wi, month when the June berries are good. It’s been almost a full year since our last update. This past year and a half has included both sadness and joy. Sadness because we mourned the lost of close relatives and friends during the long months of the peak of the pandemic. Joy because welcomed into this world our grandson, and enjoyed the amazing growth of his older siblings and cousins.
Spring Sunset, 2021
Also like many, we stayed at home, taking care of family. We adjusted to the new normal by giving presentations via Zoom. True, it’s not the same as in person gatherings and the positive energy one gives and receives sharing stories and singing. But it’s better than nothing!
We share below pictures of an in person presentation before the pandemic shut down all traveling.
Workshop, Fall 2019
Presentation, Fall 2019
This past November we gave a moccasin demonstration (via Zoom)for the United American Indian Involvement Center of Los Angeles. You can view it here Thank you UAII for hosting us and making this video! Keep up your amazing work!
As travel restrictions were lifted we made a quick day trip with our granddaughters to Ónažiča. It was known as the “Stronghold” located in Badlands because this is where our ancestors would go to for refuge and strength.
Once again we’ll be at Colter Bay at Grand Teton National Park June 29-July 5. Now we’re putting the finishing touches on the handcrafted items we’re bringing. Check here to get an idea of what we’ll be bringing.
We look forward to summer road trips again. We wish all families and visitors safe travels in the summer weeks ahead!
Aho! It’s been a while since we last posted. Weeks are rolling by. This week we’re once again in Colter Bay Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/cbvc.htm. Here we share with you some pictures of the week. Be well stay safe!
Visitor Center at Colter Bay, Grand Teton National Park July, 2020
American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz, November 20, 1969
AlcatrazRegistry Book of Participants Who Participated in the Occupation of Alcatraz
November 20th, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the peaceful occupation of Alcatraz. Few outside of Indian country may be entirely aware of the significance of the event when in 1969 men, women and youth children from across the continent convened on Alcatraz island. Once the site of the infamous penitentiary it is now a major tourist attraction. But fifty years ago the prison was closed. The small island in San Francisco Bay was unoccupied land managed by the federal government. The occupation reminded the United States Government of longstanding and unfulfilled obligations from Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. Accordingly out of use federal land was to be returned to the people who once occupied it. See this Wikipedia article for more information- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Alcatraz
The Alcatraz occupation resonated throughout the country and drew national and international support to address the issues of inequality impacting life for Native Americans. While there were some dark moments of the nineteenth month occupation the event sparked a movement that continues even to this day.
“There were difficulties but the calm resolve of the Native Community was greater-Who would have known?” Suzanne Looking Horse
Ledger Book-Suzanne Domingo (Looking Horse) n.34, her sister n. 33 and her aunt n. 35
Making History
Several families were part of the occupation of Alcatraz. As a child Suzie accompanied her grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins to the island. Her uncle the late Sonny Thompson used a small motorboat to ferry people and supplies. And one of her aunts helped staff the makeshift first aid center. Her mother came on weekends since she couldn’t take off from work.
“We were just kids- Suzie recalls—and so I don’t remember much. In the morning we attended classes so that we were able to continue with our studies when we returned back to school. The rest of the time we explored the island including the abandoned jail cells. We ate in the large dining room and our families lived in the former guardhouses. It was indeed an adventure. I’ve come to cherish these childhood memories. The participation in this historic event has shaped who I am today. I have the responsibility to instill the lessons learned to younger generations. It’s important to our history and our future.
As I look back I realize there must have been tremendous difficulties and sacrifices to launch and carry this peaceful occupation. Yes, there were difficulties but the calm resolve of the occupiers was greater. It comforted us and strengthened us. As a child I felt safe and cared for. I realize now this was not easy to accomplish. Who would have known?”
Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Occupation of Alcatraz
We wish we could be there with our relatives commemorating the 50th anniversary year. But our thoughts and prayers are there and we’ll tell our grandchildren the importance of these events, which remind us that there is still work to be done.
Here we share with you some resources where you can learn more about past events. And if you’re in the Bay Area consider participate upcoming events commemorating the beginning of a new chapter of our history. Share your memories and experiences of this part important event.
Kelly Looking Horse at ‘Old Faithful’ Yellowstone, National Park
Summer Travels to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks
Shortly after the solstice, which marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere we’re heading west to the Grand Tetons. A few weeks later we travel on to Yellowstone. Once again Kelly LookingHorse has been invited to share Lakota heritage, art, and traditions. Through storytelling, song, and crafts. Kelly infuses his presentations with his life experiences and is always ready to engage with the audience and answer their questions.
We’re also looking forward to returning to these extraordinary natural places, which hold immense significance for the Indigenous peoples who have called these mountains home for centuries. Beyond drawing inspiration from the breathtaking beauty surrounding us, we have the privilege of meeting people of all ages and backgrounds from around the globe. These encounters enrich our lives and foster meaningful connection and shared understanding. We hope that by sharing our cultural traditions, we have also given visitors an opportunity reflect on many transformative experiences the National Parks have to offer.
Mark your calendars for these dates we hope to see you here!
June 30-July 6 Colter Bay Visitor Center, Grand Tetons
July 4 Kelly will give a demonstration of traditional Lakota song and accompanying dance; “Celebration of Life”
July 27-August 1, 2026 Tribal Heritage Center, Yellowstone National Park
To commemorate the Lunar New Year, year of the horse we share some pictures of our art celebrating the importance horses have in Lakota culture. Contact us if you’re interested in placing a special order.
Decorated Box Looking Horse ShieldWar Horse
This year is the year of the fire horse which occurs once in sixty years. We hope that your year is full of endurance, strength and prosperity, that the horse in the Chinese zodiac calendar represents.
Aho! Wihákaktacépapi Wi, literally means ‘moon when the wife had to crack bones for marrow fat’. In times gone by hunting was near impossible in the plains. Even if the severe blizzards subsided by early spring herds of buffalo would be difficult to find and other game close to non-existent. Hence the Lakota descriptive of this time, when buffalo bone marrow helped supplied nutrients for sustenance.
Staying at home during Covid19 Pandemic
This harsh way of describing an otherwise lovely month of spring adequately expresses the hardships and uncertainty that Covid19 has brought. These weeks of an onslaught of the pandemic of our times, has changed the patterns of life for everyone throughout the world Pine Ridge included. It’s not easy to follow rules of social distancing especially as we worry about elders and the helpless. Food, medical supplies and even soap and hand sanitizers can be a challenge to obtain in rural areas including reservations. Thankfully communities are strong and we’re learning new ways to resource necessary items to care for our families.
We’re also on reservation wide lock down to prevent the spread of the corona virus. But travel restrictions are partially lifted until Saturday so people can get necessary provisions. We’re in good health for which we are blessed. We have had to suspend presentations, workshops, tours and travel for the time being. Instead, we’re crafting, taking care of our relatives and spending time with our family. Offering prayers, burning sage, drumming and singing is also away to offer our prayers for the sick, the care givers and those who have or will walk on because of this illness.
Spring has Sprung
We’re enjoying lovely spring days when tulips and trees hint more hopeful times. But cold windy days could return. Perhaps that’s to remind us difficult times won’t altogether disappear. But together we’ll have the strength to face those challenges each day as they come.
Stay safe stay home wherever you are. And when these times past we look forward to hearing from you and eventually to see you again at Pine Ridge or in our travels.
Wioteheka Wi, the month of the hard moon is also one of new beginnings.
Since we’ve last posted, we’ve been busy giving presentations and tours at Pine Ridge and nearby. We also participated in art fairs, powwows. And most important, we spent time with our family. We’re excited to share with you that Kelly has been named a 2020 Culture Capital Fellow of First Peoples Fund. We’re honored to be part of an amazing cohort of artists representing their nations from across turtle island. You can read more here.
Preparations for the development of our project have begun. We’re developing our program for young people to learn how to make regalia and be part of our Lakota traditions through powwow dancing. Our program will begin soon. Stay tuned for more details.
Stay safe and warm but don’t forget to appreciate the beauty of winter especially under a full moon or starry night.
