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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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.

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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.