Don’t Be Afraid to Dream
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!
LRN Free Spirit Dream Catcher 
LRN Turtle Island Handrum 
LRN Dream Catcher 
LRN HandDrums
Winter at Pine Ridge
Aho! This month, Cannápopa Wi; Moon when the trees crack due to the cold– is partially living up to its Lakota name. Temperatures hover around zero. But, thankfully the trees are standing strong and are beautifully decked in ice and surrounded in a mantle snow. No groundhogs popped up looking for their shadow around here. However, we sighted a young eagle and that’s always a good sign!
Founders Forum
Last weekend we headed over to Rosebud for the conclusion of Founders Day Forum and Powwow. Check out Sinta Gleska University for pictures and videos. http://www.sintegleska.edu The event, combines education with a powwow and space for we artists to sell our crafts. It’s an opportunity to meet up with relatives and friends. Here are some highlights of our brief but spectacular time there. Now we’re back home continuing working on hand drums and feathered fans for the next generation of powwow dancers. Until next time- ti ou pi chi ya.
flag bearers 
Crow Dog participating in forum 
Kelly (right) and relative 
lrn drum has a new home 
feathered fans for young dancers
Happy New Year-Omaha Teca!
A long snowy cold winter is upon us. But it’s also the time of new life–underneath the snow seeds are getting ready to sprout even if it will be in a few months. The new year is also the time to learn new things. Have you ever wanted to know how to make your own moccasins? Why not take advantage of winter months to learn how?
In this video I demonstrate how to make hand sewn, moccasins. For $80 we provide a kit of all the materials you will need to make your own pair. We can also give you step by step support online or by phone. Give it a try and let us know if you have any questions or comments. People who have made moccasins using our video and kits have written to say how much they appreciated our step by step approach. Thank you KOLC for making and sharing this video which was made in 2016 at a workshop at Oglala Lakota College
Omaha Teca! Wishing you new life in 2019
Yours- Kelly & Suzie Looking Horse
Aho! However way you celebrate it, one day to give thanks never seems sufficient to acknowledge blessings from the Creator that comes in many forms especially the ability to share and come together in unity. We just concluded a four week road trip east of the Missouri and Mississippi. Our adventure included presentations, workshops,visits to historic sites, learning centers as well as traditional gatherings. We shared stories and meals with people of all ages and backgrounds. Now we’re back at our beloved Pine Ridge and while we continue to reflect on everything of the past few weeks we’re working on our crafts. For now, we share with you pictures of our autumn tour.
Canwápe Gi Wi; Moon of the Brown Leaves
Aho! Our plans changed since our last post. Instead of heading west for powwows and gatherings, we stayed local tending the garden, honing our craft, seeing our grandchildren go off to school and participating in educational events closer to home. It’s the month of Canwápe Gi Wi, moon of the brown leaves, and we’ve had some rain. But the weather’s been warm and we’re preparing buffalo and elk hides needed for powwow drums and more. Around here we tan buffalo hide while the sun shines. We took a two-day break to participate in the South Dakota Indian Education Summit in Pierre. And we’re glad we did!
South Dakota Indian Summit 2018
As the title suggests, the summit focused on educational needs of Native American students especially on the Northern Plains. Educators from schools and colleges shared their expertise on integration of traditions and values of Ocete Sakowin and wo Lakota into curriculum and classroom, technology and on-line teaching resources for teaching Northern Plains Histories, honoring with eagle feathers and teaching grit and traditional values. Youth present shared their experience of producing Mitakuye Oyasin (We Are All Related) student newsletter. Check out the Summit summary here We participated as vendors and so we were not able to attend the conferences and events. Nevertheless, we followed the events and summaries with the conference materials and by talking with the participants, educators and presenters.
It Happens in the Hallway
This was the title of one presentation describing how opportunities for social and emotional learning happen outside of the classrooms and often in the school hallways. However, the title could easily apply to us as vendors at events such as these. Our booth was in the hallway and while visitors are frequently looking for something to purchase, they also have questions and they share many stories. Being and educational event, we had eagle feathers respectfully displayed. When someone receives the honor of a feather, they are to keep it carefully in a safe place, usually a parfleche box.
Eagle feathers and Supaman
An eagle feather also reminds us to fly high, with the strength that is given to us by the Creator. Keynote speaker and Apsáalooke, Christian Parrish Takes the Gun professionally known as Sapaman, generated a ‘growth mindset’ with his music, dancing and words of encouragement to find the path to greatness despite all difficulties. Greatness will be different for each one, but the beauty of our traditions and values will continually inspire us.
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