Parfleche is a container made of rawhide usually painted in bold, colorful geometrical designs. The word is of French origin, but the technique was used by the Lakota and other Plain Indians to make containers of different sizes and for many purposes. Here we feature parfleche that we’ve recently finished. While at would one time they would have been necessary for guarding and transporting items, they are now most useful as part of regalia of the Northern Plains. Lakota Red Nations’ parfleche is available for purchase. Please contact us about pricing, custom orders and any other questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
Aho!
It’s been awhile since we last shared what’s happening. Winter/ I wo blu months make it a challenge to travel, with snow, high winds and sub zero temperatures. On the upside these days give us time and opportunity to hone the craft, build inventory, and share stories and quality time with relatives. This week as we were in between blizzards we were able to support our grandson and his team mates at their school’s basketball tournament. All valuable moments that soon turn into treasured memories.
Looking forward, we’re heading to the Sinte Gleska University 48th Annual Founders Wacipi ending a week of conferences and forums educating in the Lakota way. This year’s conference included, topics ranging from education and Millennials to an update on the Wiwala Wakpala Bison Field Station Project. Check out Sinte Gleska University for more information and weekend schedule of events.
As Native American Heritage Month comes to a close we continue a Lakota family tradition of making at home, wasna as a way of honoring our ancestors. With the right ingredients it’s easy to prepare at home. We share here how we make ours.
Start with grounded choke berries. 
Mix with grounded dry deer meat. 
Add a touch of melted deer kidney fat.
Sauté in a pan (a cast iron pan works best).
Once sufficiently mixed and heated you have wa la,wasna, a traditional spirit food delicious as it is good for you. Wasn is high in protein and an excellent source of energy which is why it was an important food for our ancestors.
Start or revive a tradition in your own home by preparing this spirit food for your family.
Send us a reply to share your experiences or your own special ingredients. 
Aho! Have you ever wondered how to make a hand drum? What gives it its beautiful sonority? In this post I show you how to make a “Ca ce gah”, a Lakota style drum. The preparation for these drums begin in the summer when we treat the hide so that is suited for drum making. I use buffalo hide for large powwow drums. While buffalo rawhide is used for the strips that tie the hand drum cover, elk rawhide is better suited for the cover of smaller drums. In between are several other steps, but I share with you the final 15 steps of making a well crafted signature hand drum. As with any fine musical instrument the quality of the drum sound depends on a selection of suitable materials as well as expertise. Indeed the Lakota word “ca”, signifies wood and in the case of drums it should be of very good quality. Maple wood is a good choice for the shells. On the other hand, the drum sticks are made from branches of choke cherry bushes, which are native to this land and its fruit is considered sacred. Hence, this is a good choice for striking the hand drum. In other words, much thought and technique goes into the crafting of a hand drum. Not only that, every drum, no matter what its size tells its story when it’s made with love.
Visit our main gallery or our FB page for other fine Lakota Red Nations drums and crafted artwork.
Contact us if you have any questions, or you would like to order a hand drum to tell your own story. Inquire about wholesale pricing for large orders.
Kelly Looking Horse -Founder Lakota Red Nations
Wakpamni Lake, Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Native American Heritage Month
During November, the month of Waníyetu Wi “Moon when Winter Begins” the country celebrates Native American heritage and history. However, Lakota Red Nations celebrates Native legacy every day. How? By sharing stories, songs and dance drawing from Lakota tradition and way of life. We also make crafts, specialty artwork and other traditional items including regalia. All our work combines new techniques with time honored practice . Thus, each drum we make tells its own story. Similarly, each pair of moccasins comes with the wish that the one who wears them walks far and in a good way. In other words, our moccasins are made to walk on the Red road. Finally, we draw from a tradition rich in history as it is relevant today. We invite you to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see what we are working on.
Veterans Wacipi
This coming Saturday, November 11 we honor all veterans for their service to our country. Indeed, we’re grateful for all who have protected the people and the land. This year we’ll be participating in in the Fourth Annual Cansayapi Veterans Powwow co hosted by Lower Sioux Indian Community. We left Pine Ridge Thursday morning and we’re heading east towards Morton, Minnesota by way of Sioux Falls, SD. Temperatures have dropped and a frosty chill is in the air. As Waníyetu Wi suggests, winter is almost here. Redwood County is home of the Mdewankton band of the Dakotas. The Cansyapi Wacipi begins with the Grand Entry at Jackpot Junction Casino in the Dakota Exposition Center. In the language of the Dakotas is ‘Cansa’yapi’ meaning “where they marked the trees red”. Learn more about the Dakotas in Minnesota ‘the place where the water reflects the sky’ here.
We look forward to gathering with old friends and meeting new ones in ‘Dakota’ Friend country. We hope to see you there!
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