Wičháŋhpi Iwáŋkab Akíčhita

~Above the Stars Soldier~
Program: Adobe Illustrator CS5

Above the Stars Soldier represents the Cloud/Star/Heaven nation. The story of Fallen Star Boy, who fell to earth from the Cloud nation and was adopted by the Lakota people, promised to always look over our people and provide us hope and guidance during the darkest moments.

Combining that story with the journey we all take at the end, this piece is homage to our spirituality and perseverance; many of the stories I’ve heard in the meetings from the horse riders (and Horse Nation documentary) tell of our people overcoming the challenges of their lives through a bond with the Horse nation; how some riders deep connection meant their horse died the same day they did, so they can begin the journey in the afterlife together.

I decided to feature the body of water known to Americans as Devils Lake in two of my pieces; the name of my tribe is call Spirit Lake (North Dakota) and this is where we live; these are a homage to the long history of my Dakota people and my memories of my tribe. Both pieces contain the reflection of the horse and person; playing on the thought that what we do in life carries on with us during our journey in the afterlife.

Print Prices.

Prints start at $15 for an 8.5″ x 11 print. Please click the link below to choose your size. Thank you.

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$30.00 – $200.00Price range: $30.00 through $200.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Haŋwákhaŋ Thašúŋke

~Northern Lights’ Horse~
Program: Adobe Illustrator CS5

Many times I recall the story of White Buffalo Calf Woman and the differences in outcomes for people if they approach each other with respect. She also promised the people would survive and prosper if they followed the ceremonies and teachings she revealed.

This piece is homage to that thinking, that even in the depths of winter’s cold, the traditional teachings will help us through those hard times. The horse in this piece comes from my memories: visiting my tribe as a child, far away from the city lights, I remember looking up at the stars one night and seeing the faint Northern Lights. My older cousin told me if I whistled and sang, the lights would dance for us and so we did; the lights reacted!

Thus, that memory is also represented in this piece, as the horse carrying on that belief that we have a connection with the nations around us.

I decided to feature the body of water known to Americans as Devils Lake in two of my pieces; the name of my tribe is call Spirit Lake (North Dakota) and this is where we live; these are a homage to the long history of my Dakota people and my memories of my tribe. Both pieces contain the reflection of the horse and person; playing on the thought that what we do in life carries on with us during our journey in the afterlife.

Print Prices.

Prints start at $15 for an 8.5″ x 11 print. Please click the link below to choose your size. Thank you.

Order Prints

$30.00 – $200.00Price range: $30.00 through $200.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Thaóyate Dúta

~His Red Nation~
Program: Adobe Illustrator CS5

His Red Nation pays homage to the Dakota Wokiksuye (Dakota 38) memorial ride, and a tribute to the 38 Dakota warriors who were hanged in Mankato, MN in 1862 on orders signed by President Lincoln.

The 38 stars are based off Dakota/Lakota quilting star patterns, which represent the morning star and “the direction from which spirits travel to earth and is a link between the living and the dead, thus symbolizing immortality.” Meaning as we honor their memory, we carry the prayers of the past with us to the future generations, that we can survive as a people.

Print Prices.

Prints start at $15 for an 8.5″ x 11 print. Please click the link below to choose your size. Thank you.

Order Prints

$30.00 – $200.00Price range: $30.00 through $200.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page