Archives for August 2019

We took the art into the communities for the Hoye Wayelo Summer Arts Immersion program at the Lakota Cultural Camp in Wanblee.

We were invited by the directors of this unique camp to come and work with the students who were getting immersed in Lakota teachings and culture. As art is such a big part of Lakota Culture and traditional identity is such an important part of the work we do – it was a beautiful collaboration.

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Set on the traditional ceremonial grounds of the Moves Camp family – we did a focused version of the start quilt. Kids designed the pieces and wrote on topics of their Lakota identity and culture. They shared ideas, values, and qualities they thought were important to include in to the beautiful 3D star quilt.

Hoye Wayelo Summer Arts Immersion took art into the schools with the Little Wound School residency.

We had a busy program with students at Little Wound K-12 School in Kyle! Kids did work in music and film and were part of our first 3D Star Quilt Project.

We wanted to work with kids to build a community art project that celebrated Lakota Culture and the incredible traditional Lakota art. We also wanted to create a project that celebrated each student through their own work that would come together to form a greater whole. Beautiful by themselves and spectacular when they came together.

And so the 3D star quilt was born.

For the Lakota people, the star quilt, wichahpi owinza, represents honor and generosity. The pattern of the star quilt is inspired by the Morning Star which is is the last and brightest star in the eastern horizon before dawn. It is believed that the Morning Star represented the way the spirits came to earth and served as a link between the living and those who have passed.

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Kids also played music and filmed the creation of the project.

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The Star Quilt stands 6 feet by 6 feet and will be hanging in the school in fall.

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Pine Ridge Hoye Waylo Arts immersion program took the art to streets in our week long immersion program in downtown Pine Ridge! We partnered with Henry Brown and his Kidz Klub and Tiny DeCory and her BEARS program for a week full of creating! Kids did painting, drawing, chalk art, guitars, drums, piano, filmmaking and photography!

Visual Arts …

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Film …

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Music …

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Photography …

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It was a very busy week with these ambitious young artists!!!

So much love and gratitude for this fierce warrior who made her journey this morning. 

Reverend Dr. Gwynne Guibord was a giant in fostering peace and understanding between different faiths and cultures. But there is a side of her that many don’t know about.

With her partner Lo, Gwynne was a staunch advocate for Lakota youth and the work we do on Pine Ridge. The Mitakuye Foundation would not be serving young people the way it is today without the support, care, and concern of these two ladies.

From supporting our film Holy Man, to helping us to get our 501c3 processed, to supporting the prayer runs and youth art programs … Gwynne and Lo’s support has always been far more than financial. Their love and care and concern for the Lakota people is inspirational.

Anyone who has benefitted from any of our programs on any level can thank these ladies. And tonight I would ask you all to say a prayer for Gwynne as she makes her journey and a prayer for Lo as she faces this new chapter in her life.

Deep sadness today – but also such deep gratitude for our dear, dear friend and ally. We know she will be continuing her work from the other side.

Thrilled to announce that 3 of our student films will be screening at the 2019 Pine Ridge Indigenous Film Festival! ThunderCamp (2018), Autumn’s Fall (2019), and ThunderCamp2 (2019)! Links to these films and more coming soon …

Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work!!

Mitakuye Summer 2019 Programs are a WRAP!

So Much Beauty!!

It has been an incredible summer of programs on Pine Ridge! WOPILA to all of the donors, teachers, volunteers, staff, and partners who help make this happen!

In the upcoming days we will be sharing posts on our Hoye Wayelo Arts Immersion Programs in Kyle, Pine Ridge, Wanblee, the Black Hills, and the 500 Mile Sacred Hoop Prayer Run. Here are a few highlights to start: