"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth as "wild". To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery."

Luther Standing Bear - Rosebud Sioux

Guardian of the Water Medicine

Guardian of the Water Medicine
Dale Auger

Dale Auger

Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason

Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.

Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”

Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.

Read the rest here:

http://www.daleauger.com/printversionbio.cfm

Monday, February 18, 2008

Deciding the legacy of Sitting Bull

By: Sara Kincaid

When Sitting Bull’s name passes the lips of Ernie LaPointe, the words great-grandfather follow.

For many people, Sitting Bull is a famed Indian spiritual leader. His name is said in the same breath as George Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn. But, the man depicted in movies and books is different from the man LaPointe’s mother told him about as a child.

“I kept quiet about this,” he said. “It was my mother’s wish not to brag about it.”

His mother is Angeline LaPointe, who is the daughter of Sitting Bull’s youngest daughter, Standing Holy.

But, Sitting Bull’s family tree has many branches. He had four wives and adopted his sister’s son. The family of his fourth wife and his adopted son make equal claim to Sitting Bull’s heritage.

Now the Smithsonian Institution decided this fall that the LaPointes are the only direct descendants when repatriating a pair of leggings and a lock of hair taken from Sitting Bull. While it seems to be an easy decision for the Smithsonian, based on blood relation, it is not such a clear distinction on the reservation.

Want to know more? Click here: http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/11/18/news/topnews/doc4740501ceed53025680234.txt
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