April-Wihákaktacépapi Wi

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.

Omaha Teca!

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.

https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/news/2020-fellows-announcement

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.

American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz, November 20, 1969

November 20^th, 2019 marks the 50^th 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

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 50^th 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.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/oursf/article/Occupation-of-Alcatraz-discovery-640-unpublished-14836597.php

https://www.facebook.com/events/alcatraz-island/50th-anniversary-peaceful-occupation-of-alcatraz-island/306723323065827/

Wasúton Wi  Moon of the Ripening

Our Lakota way of marking this month; the moon of the ripening also summarizes the past several months of our activities which have come to fruition in one at the beginning of August. We arrived back home and are here for a few more days before leaving again, this time for Crazy Horse Memorial in our beloved Black Hill.

There and Back Again

After several weeks in California crisscrossing the state more than once we arrived back to home at the end of May. In June we spent a week at Crazy Horse Memorial to participate the Gifts from Mother Earth Art show and will return again this coming week for the Living Treasures exhibits and demonstrations. We’ll share with you pictures and a summary in our next post. In the meantime you can look for our updates on FB and Twitter you are in the area we encourage you to stop on by!

We just returned from Grand Teton National Park participating in the Colter Bay Artist in Residence. The Teton range is timeless as it is old and for that reason spending days there makes us young again. This is our fifth year as invited artists and we’re always amazed at the visitors from near and far and of all different ages. On Saturday, July 27 we participated in the living history day at the Menor’s Ferry Festival, in Jackson Hole, WYO which included demonstrations in weaving, ferry transportation and more. While school begins in a few weeks for thousands students across the country, the Grand Teton National Park offers an educational experience that beats any text book lesson. We look forward to seeing you there next year!

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Moon of the sore eyes

Ištáwicayazan Wi, Moon of the sore eyes is living up to its name. Bitter cold winds and snow whip across the plains at this time of year making it difficult to see. Like most of the country Pine Ridge is experiencing arctic temperatures testing the endurance of all.

Dream Catchers

While spending a long time outdoors in sub zero temperature could run the risk of frostbite, we ventured out to look for willow branches for our wo unbali –dream catchers. You can read more about the origin of dream catchers in our previous post Making Dream Catchers for the New Year. Dream catchers have been long associated with the pursuit of a life’s dream, purpose and ideals. Good dreams may be difficult to pursue. Nor may they turn out the way we first imagined them to be. But they’re what keep us focused and determined. Which is why we were determined to find and collect the willow branches we need to make our dream catchers despite cold wind. At least it wasn’t snowing!

Free Spirit Dream Catchers

We begin shaping the branches soon after we cut them while they’re soft and malleable Using three separate willow branches we form a sphere that is bound together with sinew strips. Each dream catcher is as unique as the branches from which they are made. Some we leave with their natural colors and others we paint using the sacred Lakota colors; red, yellow, white and black. The colors remind us of what we dream for. And as it is said in Lakota; “I to pe sni I habla po”don’t be afraid to dream!

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