The 2017 total solar eclipse came and went  touching the minds and hearts of thousands across the country. Here are some pictures of the day of sharing at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument  under a warm and cloudless day. A once in a lifetime event for many of us there. An eagle flew over us as night was approaching –it was beautiful. Suzie and I felt overwhelmed and blessed!

And here are some thoughts  I shared which appeared South Dakota Public Broadcasting Blog Post. Click here for the full article.

“We’re being given an opportunity to give thanks and pray for the future. When the eclipse comes to this area, everything beneath that eclipse is sacred. Because the spirit people are coming. When it gets dark, that’s when they come. That’s when we can embrace them.That’s when we can ask for their help. That’s when you can say, help me to look into the future. You just gotta remember the past — all those that died so that we can be here, and then give thanks and pray for the future generations. This dark chapter of our history has nothing but atrocity and ill feelings between the white man and the Indian. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. As the eclipse shows itself and darkens the earth, it’s showing us that it doesn’t have to stay that way. When it gets dark, we realize that we’ve come to the end of our lives, and as the sun gets light again, it’s like saying you’re reborn. From this day on, carry on with what you believe. And if you can do that, others will follow.”

My great-grandmother witnessed the solar eclipse of 1870 on this land. The buffalo would come here and our people would follow them. I hope and pray that in 50 years one of my grandchildren will be able share a Lakota perspective at the next solar eclipse to come this way.

Kelly Looking Horse

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