Here is the schedule of our presentations at Agate Fossil Beds, National Monument next weekend. There will be lots of information on viewing the solar eclipse and more for the whole family. An unforgettable learning experience. Look forward to seeing you there.

Aho! Summer activity is keeping us from sharing regularly our news and updates. This is good. We’re busy and happy doing what we love and we’ll tell you more in our next post. We’re 21 days away from the anticipated total solar eclipse. We will be in Agate Fossil Bed National Monument, where Kelly will give presentations on Lakota culture and history including why the solar eclipse of 1806 is relevant to Native American history. For now we want to share some links that will help you learn more about the total solar eclipse and what you will be able to see on August 21, 2017. The park will have a good viewing since it is close to Mitchell, NE where observers will see (appx) 1m53s of totality. Come and join us for this event!

A short video from NASA about the  solar eclipse

Practical tips from about Nebraska and the viewing of the eclipse. NECLIPSE17
More practical tips about viewing the eclipse in Mitchell, NE From Eclipse2017.org.

Wípazuka Wastè Win Moon of the June Berries

Similar to earlier days when Lakota camp circles moved often during summer months, we have begun our summer travels. In this post we share highlights from our trip to California for the Powwows at UCLA and Stanford.

UCLA Powwow was well attended despite gusty winds and ominous clouds that eventually broke with rainfall on the last day, making it  a challenge to keep our tent in place.

The following Thursday we arrived in Palo Alto for the Stanford Powwow held annually on Mother’s Day weekend. While unseasonably cool, weather was more cooperative. Hundreds of dancers and several thousand visitors attended all three days of the event, which is sponsored by the Stanford American Indian Association SAIO. We’re grateful for the students, staff and faculty who made the 46th Annual Stanford Powwow  a success.

As always we spent time with ‘old’  friends and made new ones making the weekend past quickly. This year we set up our booth in a way that facilitated visitors to spend time asking questions about our exhibits.

Many moments ‘filled our hearts’ as people stopped by, including millennial Natives, Stanford students and alums Noah and Triana and Megan-Oglala Lakota – who gave the student commencement address at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her inspiring words summarize the dreams and aspirations we have for our young, including for little Oscate waci win, ‘powwow dancer woman’ who put on her first pair of moccasins at our booth and literally danced out once she heard the drums calling her to the circle.

Our dear friend Sioux Swanson, also from Pine Ridge was chosen to lead the opening prayers on Sunday, which she did-first in Lakota and then English.

After a busy and enriching weekend we packed our  pickup– aka red war pony and began the three day trek back to Pine Ridge South Dakota. Powwows, presentations and more  fill the summer days of Blokétu/Warm Moons. Visit our Facebook page often for ongoing summer updates and travel plans. We look forward to seeing you!

It’s May; Canwápi To Wi, Moon of the Green Leaves. As we head west for the powwows in California we see mother earth is in her finest regalia including the green leaves of the trees waving to us along the way. We stopped at Scottsbluff, Nebraska then Walsenburg, Durango, through, Wolf Creek pass and Towaoc CO. Wakan Tanka-the Creator is with us. Going to be an awesome trip, the last part along historic Route 66.  Good people everywhere we travel, warm weather—makes it ideal for traveling. Now on to California for the UCLA Powwow May 6-7 and Stanford Powwow May 12-14. See you there!

-Kelly and Suzie

April is known as Wihákaktacépapi Wi, literally Moon when the wife had to crack bones for marrow fat. But  Spring has made its appearances around Pine Ridge. Snow is melting and trees are budding as seen in the month of May or Canwápe To Wi, Moon of the green leaves.

We’ve been busy visiting the powwows, art festivals and conferences in the area, including the 36^th

AIHEC conference in Rapid City. Lots of good energy more than 1,000 Native students enrolled in Tribal Colleges and Universities across the country came together to share their experiences and learn from each other. These creative and resilient students are finding ways to use their college education to improve the life of their home communities. Check out a recap of main events here.

In between these events we’ve been honing our craft, and expanding our inventory. In addition to our items including traditional regalia items, jewelry, and our original artwork LRN Tee, we will have magnets depicting our daughter Kaulouyah’s  artwork, and moccasins and medicine bags beaded by our daughter Wamblee.

The LRN Spring Tour 2017 will officially begin at the end of April as we head west to California. Look for us at the UCLA Powwow May 6-7, and the Stanford Powwow May 12-14.  Check in for more dates and locations.  Those of you who have visited our booth know that you will not only discover items as beautiful as they are purposeful, but also stories and history. And for those of you who are new to the powwow experience, stop by and learn more. In between the powwow weekends  Kelly is available for cultural presentations and workshops. It’s not too late to request a booking for your school, or local community. Learn More Here

Looking forward to seeing you in the weeks ahead!

Kelly and Suzie