Aho!

It’s been a busy end of the summer doing what we love to do; share Lakota art and history. In August, collaborating with Wakpamni Lake Cultural Center, our family provided guided tours for visitors from Germany. We went to Devils Tower  known in Lakota as Matȟó Thípila-“Bear Lodge”, Medicine Wheel and Badlands National Park. Our visitors also participated in a youth rally and run at the annual Pine Ridge Reservation Powwow. Each year this event draws thousands of visitors.

photos:https://commons.wikimedia.org

 There is no better way to know and love a new place then spending time with the locals. We are honored to be collaborating with Wakpamni Lake Cultural Center in their efforts to share the best of Lakota living for visitors to Pine Ridge. Contact us to arrange for you next travel adventure.

Summer is the time for families and friends, new and old, to come together.  There’s no better place to do so than at a traditional wacipi. This year, on July 2 during the Veterans Honoring at the Wakpamni Lake Area wacipi,  we introduced a new group of young dancers, ages 7-12. This gathering is one of the oldest continuous events around held annually for over 100 years.   With some help and guidance the dancers our granddaughter included,  prepared their regalia and dance. For many it was their first time in the arena, but you would never know it because they danced as if they had all their  life. What a blessing and joy to see a new generation dancing for the people! They will continue our tradition well into the 21st century.

On Saturday, July 9, 2016, Kelly Looking Horse guided a group of 21 high school students from Owatonna, Minnesota together with their group leaders, through sites important in the history of the Lakota people.Kelly began the tour with a ceremonial prayer offering at Wounded Knee, the site of the 1890 massacre where hundreds of Lakota, mostly unarmed women and children were killed in a conflict with U.S. Cavalry. The loss of innocent human life always serves as a pause for deeper reflection and in this case- to learn from the dark moments of history so as not to repeat them.

Afterwards the group visited the historical government buildings and the Kili radio station located in Porcupine, a Lakota owned and operated station that providing news, information and a variety of music formats broadcasting in a 30,000 square miles that includes Pine Ridge.

In the afternoon, Kelly and Suzie taught the group how to make Lakota style dream catchers and later Kelly shared through story telling, traditional dance and song, important aspects of history and life at Pine Ridge. In Kelly’s words “ The purpose of education is to acquire understanding that leads to deeper mutual respect. This in turn forges a unity, through which many people coming together can make a difference in the lives not only of the people of the Lakota Nation residing in Pine Ridge, but all who are enriched by our traditions.”

Visit our booth at the Flandreau Wacipi  July 15th, 16th and 17th 2016  hosted by Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Community. See you there!

From June 27 to July 1 Lakota Red Nations participated in the 13th annual summer artist series hosted by Oglala Lakota College Historical Center. In addition to having hand crafted items available for sale, Kelly Looking Horse answered questions and commented on the photo exhibit hosted at the Historical Center that chronicles the Oglala Lakota from early 1800’s through the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. The Heritage center is opened Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. -5:00 pm. Admission is free and different local artists will be on site through August 30^th.