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.
Whether known as big time, wacipi, or gathering of nations, powwows are central to life in Indian Country, both in the United States and Canada. They bring people together and transmit all that we cherish. You 
can be sure that every weekend throughout the year somewhere, someplace there is a powwow about to begin or just finishing. Further, each one will have it’s own special characteristic making it distinctively unique as those who attend them regularly can attest. You can read about Wakpamni Lake Community annual ‘small but mighty’ wacipi here and you’ll see why it’s so dear to us. Whether you’ll be attending your first one or you participated in your first one in a cradleboard we offer five ways you can be transformed by your powwow experience.
Go Prepared
Sure, this will include checking dates and times at Powwows.com and CrazyCrow and figuring out logistics like where to park. But going with a good heart, even if you’re tired is what we mean by being prepared. With a good heart you’ll be ready for all the other things around you in the powwow that refresh your mind and strengthen your spirit.
Show respect
This will include being attentive to the prayers and honorings, which are part of every powwow. Hence, periodically you may be asked to rise, to show respect for the flags, veterans who protect our country or for other reasons. Standings tall (unless you are physically unable to) shows respect. What your wear is important too. The dancers prepare their regalia and it’s no small thing especially in very hot or cold weather. You can show your gratitude by being respectfully dressed even in comfortable and casual attire. To our knowledge most powwows do not happen at beaches, pools and nightclubs. Finally respect the powwow grounds, by disposing of trash before you leave.
Look around
Notice if elders have the seats ‘best seats in the house’ and small children can see the arena. Take note of special events and learning opportunities for people of all ages. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share with others who may not know what to expect.
Talk to the locals
A powwow is a great way to make new friends and keep the old. As mentioned above, each powwow gathering has its own ambience. If you want to know more about the land, history and the people, talk to those who live there. Finally, even if you know just a few words in your grandmother’s native tongue, don’t be afraid to speak it with another who shares the same language. Powwow gatherings are a powerful opportunities to practice language recovery.
Be inspired
There are several ways to do this. First, be ready to dance (even if you didn’t bring your moccasins). Listen carefully to the powwow drum and the distinctive rhythms of Northern and Southern style drumming. Try new food. See if you can detect subtle taste differences in fry bread. Look for the artists and educators among the vendors.Not all vendors are artists and not all craft items are authentic or of unique value. Artists and educators will be able to tell you how something is made and why it matters. Finally, learn from small children. They instinctively know how to be inspired by the energy of the powwow experience.
Did you find these tips helpful? Do you have any others to share? Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Better yet, visit our booth Lakota Red Nations at the upcoming powwows:
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Powwow Aug 31-Sept 2, 2018
Sycuan Powwow El Cajon, CA Sept 7-9, 2018
Morongo Thunder & Lightning Powwow Cabazon, CA Sep 21-23, 2018
Black Hills Powwow, Rapid City, SD, October 5-7, 2018
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