Dakota | The Art of Marlena Myles https://marlenamyl.es A Native (Dakota) Artist Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:30:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://i0.wp.com/marlenamyl.es/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Dakota | The Art of Marlena Myles https://marlenamyl.es 32 32 46483770 Return to Bdote https://marlenamyl.es/product/return-to-bdote/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/return-to-bdote/#respond Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:17:15 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=58660
Return to Bdote

Return to Bdote

Price range: $150.00 through $600.00

Add a touch of style to your walls with my one of a kind artwork! Purchased print will not contain watermarks. Custom sizes are available upon request.

Return to Bdote

Bdote means where two waters meet, the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. It also means our first breath as a baby. It is the center of the world for Dakota people. It is our creation story. This is origin.
The Mississippi River does not end at the shoreline. It is reflected above as the spirit road, the path our spirits travel to and from this world. What flows below flows above, kapemni.

This is why the Mni Owe Sni Bdote camp matters.

The camp is not just tipi lodges on the land. It is a stand by the Native community to return these lands. It is prayer. It is presence. It is a refusal to let our creation site be quietly managed without us. It is Dakota and Lakota relatives saying this place is alive, sacred, and we want to come home.

Before Fort Snelling.
Before the Dakota concentration camp.
Before the threat of that same carceral violence rising again at the Whipple Building.
Before our creation site was turned into "recreational" space.
Bdote.

Bdote means where two waters meet, the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. It also means our first breath as a baby. It is the center of the world for Dakota people. It is our creation story. This is origin.
The Mississippi River does not end at the shoreline. It is reflected above as the spirit road, the path our spirits travel to and from this world. What flows below flows above, kapemni.

What lives here echoes in the sky. Our 7 council fires, the Oceti Sakowin, burn eternal in the Big Dipper, known as the sacred pipe & the burial scaffold constellation. Our governance is written in the stars. Our ancestors and future generations are mapped across the cosmos.

Today there is a dog park at Bdote. Land set aside for dogs to run freely at the center of our world. Yet there is no protected ceremonial space for Dakota women. No bark lodge. No sacred space restored for the life givers of our nation.
And we are told there are millions of dollars being planned for a "River Learning Center."

If millions can be secured for a learning center, Dakota people cannot be forgotten when it comes to restoring our own sacred space. We cannot be erased again while development moves forward on our creation site. We cannot watch funding flow into buildings while ceremony remains displaced.

Dakota women's ceremonies are not optional. They are foundational. We give life to the next generations. We carry the birthing medicines. We hold knowledge that colonization tried to sever. Bdote is our sacred birthing island. When Dakota women are denied ceremony here, that is continued dispossession.

Grandmother Earth is calling us back. The birthing medicines are returning. Bdote must be restored as living Dakota land with protected space for ceremony.

Land back means ceremony back.
Land back means Dakota governance at Bdote.
Land back means Dakota women have space again at the center of the world.

If there is land for a dog park and millions for a river center, there must be land and resources for Dakota ceremony.
Restore Bdote.

Honor Oceti Sakowin.
Return the land so our fires burn here again, not only in the sky but on our homelands.

Additional information

Dimensions N/A
Prints

Canvas: 18 x 24, Canvas: 24×32, Photo Paper: 18 x 24, Photo Paper: 24 x 32, Watercolor Paper: 18 x 24, Watercolor Paper: 24 x 32
SKU: 060 Category: Tags: ,

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]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/return-to-bdote/feed/ 0 58660 Uŋčí Makhá’s Shawl (Grandmother Earth’s Shawl) https://marlenamyl.es/product/unci-makhas-shawl-grandmother-earths-shawl/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/unci-makhas-shawl-grandmother-earths-shawl/#respond Fri, 12 May 2023 12:57:39 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=58161
Unci Makha's Shawl

Uŋčí Makhá’s Shawl (Grandmother Earth’s Shawl)

Price range: $300.00 through $500.00

Add a touch of style to your walls with my one of a kind artwork! Purchased print will not contain watermarks. Custom sizes are available upon request.

Uŋčí Makhá’s Shawl (Grandmother Earth’s Shawl)

To Dakota/Lakota people, all the plants are woven together as part of Uŋčí Makhá’s shawl which covers her. Aŋpetu Wí and Haŋwí (Sun/Moon) are tasked with warming and cooling Grandmother Earth; the four winds bring the seasons and Wakíŋyaŋ, the thunder being, wakes the plant nation every year. When we acknowledge the land and honor the sacred hoop of life, we give thanks for the medicines and foods our Uŋčí (grandmother) provides for us.

Additional information

Dimensions N/A
Prints

Canvas: 20 x 24, Metal print: 20 x 24, Watercolor Paper: 20 x 24
SKU: 059 Category: Tags: ,

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]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/unci-makhas-shawl-grandmother-earths-shawl/feed/ 0 58161 Under the Guidance of Haŋwí https://marlenamyl.es/product/under-the-guidance-of-hanwi/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/under-the-guidance-of-hanwi/#respond Tue, 30 Aug 2022 00:11:52 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=57771
Under the Guidance of Haŋwí

Under the Guidance of Haŋwí

Price range: $750.00 through $1,000.00

Add a touch of style to your walls with my one of a kind artwork! Purchased print will not contain watermarks. Custom sizes are available upon request.

​In Dakota/Lakota stories, Wí refers to the Sun & Moon: Haŋwí (evening light), is the lunar version. She is the wife of the sun, Aŋpétu Wí (morning light), but due to his act of indiscretion, she hides under a cloak whenever he is near — that is why the moon has different phrases. She represents women when they are young, middle-aged and elderly through her moon phrases.

Traditionally, there is a connection between women’s menstrual cycles and the moon’s cycle; when a woman was on her moontime, it was considered a very sacred time of inner purification. In this way, one could say Haŋwí is the “goddess” of motherhood and represents feminine power. In current day ceremonies, women on their moontime are usually prohibited from attending; the power of the moon is still respected as inner purification stronger than even that of the ceremonies such as the sweat lodge.

Additional information

Dimensions N/A
Prints

Canvas: 20 x 24, Metal print: 20 x 24, Watercolor Paper: 20 x 24
SKU: 057 Category: Tags: ,

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]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/under-the-guidance-of-hanwi/feed/ 0 57771 Uŋktómi & the Copyrights of the Dakota/Lakota Language https://marlenamyl.es/product/unktomi-the-copyrights-of-the-dakota-lakota-language/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/unktomi-the-copyrights-of-the-dakota-lakota-language/#respond Sat, 01 May 2021 13:26:04 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=57162 I created this after reading more and more how outside entities (linguists, researchers, universities) are copyrighting Indigenous languages and making it very difficult for tribes to freely use knowledge that have been passed down for generations. Details about how this is happening to the Lakota language can be read at the Lakota Language Reclamation Project.  Uŋktómi (also spelled Iktomi, Ukto/Ikto, Unktome, Inktomi) is the trickster spirit in Dakota/Lakota culture, with many, many stories existing that illustrate lessons we should be aware when it comes to our behaviors and others. One such story told by Oliver Gourd, a tribal elder from my reservation, the Spirit Lake Dakota tribe, tells us of Uŋktómi's prediction of how we would lose our culture. I adapted that story to warn about the modern dangers of outside entities copyrighting Indigenous languages and preventing tribes from using their ancestral knowledge without paying for it. I have started my own Dakota publishing company, Wiyounkihipi Productions, to help keep the language part of the tribe's communal culture. We all should be aware of the need to both speak and protect our languages.]]>
Uŋktómi & the Copyrights of the Dakota/Lakota Language

Uŋktómi & the Copyrights of the Dakota/Lakota Language

Price range: $300.00 through $550.00

Add a touch of style to your walls with my one of a kind artwork! Purchased print will not contain watermarks. Custom sizes are available upon request.

I created this after reading more and more how outside entities (linguists, researchers, universities) are copyrighting Indigenous languages and making it very difficult for tribes to freely use knowledge that have been passed down for generations. Details about how this is happening to the Lakota language can be read at the Lakota Language Reclamation Project. 

Uŋktómi (also spelled Iktomi, Ukto/Ikto, Unktome, Inktomi) is the trickster spirit in Dakota/Lakota culture, with many, many stories existing that illustrate lessons we should be aware when it comes to our behaviors and others. One such story told by Oliver Gourd, a tribal elder from my reservation, the Spirit Lake Dakota tribe, tells us of Uŋktómi’s prediction of how we would lose our culture. I adapted that story to warn about the modern dangers of outside entities copyrighting Indigenous languages and preventing tribes from using their ancestral knowledge without paying for it. I have started my own Dakota publishing company, Wiyounkihipi Productions, to help keep the language part of the tribe’s communal culture. We all should be aware of the need to both speak and protect our languages.

Additional information

Dimensions N/A
Prints

Canvas: 20 x 24, Metal print: 20 x 24, Watercolor Paper: 20 x 24
SKU: 051 Category: Tags: ,

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]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/unktomi-the-copyrights-of-the-dakota-lakota-language/feed/ 0 57162 Wichoh’an https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichohan/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichohan/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:43:17 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=57011 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Wichoh'an

Wichoh’an

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

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SKU: 050 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichohan/feed/ 0 57011 Woabdeza https://marlenamyl.es/product/woabdeza/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/woabdeza/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:40:04 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=57006 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Woabdeza

Woabdeza

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

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SKU: 049 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/woabdeza/feed/ 0 57006 Wichoichage https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichoichage/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichoichage/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:36:12 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=57001 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Wichoichage

Wichoichage

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

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SKU: 048 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/wichoichage/feed/ 0 57001 Wotakuye https://marlenamyl.es/product/wotakuye/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/wotakuye/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:16:17 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=56995 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Wotakuye

Wotakuye

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

Related products

SKU: 047 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/wotakuye/feed/ 0 56995 Woinina https://marlenamyl.es/product/woinina/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/woinina/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 23:13:32 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=56991 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Woinina

Woinina

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

Related products

SKU: 046 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/woinina/feed/ 0 56991 Wodakhota https://marlenamyl.es/product/wodakhota/ https://marlenamyl.es/product/wodakhota/#respond Wed, 24 Mar 2021 22:25:44 +0000 https://marlenamyl.es/?post_type=product&p=56980 This panel is from the 6 window murals "Protecting the Generations" commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.]]>
Wodakhota

Wodakhota

Price range: $150.00 through $250.00

This panel is from the 6 window murals “Protecting the Generations” commissioned by the City of Minneapolis Public Service Center by Art in Public Places program. The print will not have the watermark on it.

PROTECTING THE GENERATIONS
6 Vinyl Window Installations | Skyway @ Minneapolis Public Service Center

To ensure future generations are protected, Creation passes down the stories, lessons and memories needed to maintain harmony and balance. The awareness and understanding of our roles as humans in the sacred hoop of life means being good relatives to all, taking care of the earth, water and skies. It means winning against selfishness and greed, so that all nations can live. The strength of life is all around, how will you fight to care for and protect it?

The featured Dakota words and their meanings:

  • Wódakhota (harmony with all life)
  • Wičhóičhaǧe (generations/growth of the people)
  • Wóabdeza (understanding)
  • Wóinina (awareness of silence)
  • Wičhóȟ’aŋ (responsibility/way of life)
  • Wótakuye (relatives/kinship)

These murals feature imagery that can be found throughout Minnesota in the four directions – West, South, East and North – plus the Sky and Water worlds.

Related products

SKU: 045 Category: Tags: ,

]]> https://marlenamyl.es/product/wodakhota/feed/ 0 56980