Quillwork | Ancient Practices Kept Alive Today

Porcupine quillwork is an ancient Indigenous artistic practice. It is one of my favorite art forms. It predates European contact; and it predates the introduction of glass seed beads.

It is unique to Native North America: you will not find it anywhere else in the world, and, despite generations of massive change, it is still practiced today.

When you buy and wear porcupine quillwork, you are actively contributing to the continuation of this important and rare practice. 

Designer Profile | Tatanka Means

Best known for his roles as an actor, comedian, and speaker, Tatanka Means also heads up the streetwear company, Tatanka Clothing. He's Oglala Lakota, Omaha and Navajo from Chinle, Arizona, and as he explains, "I’m from the Bitter Water clan on my Dine’ side, Eagle clan on my Lakota side, and Deer clan on my Omaha side."

While fashion is only one facet of his creative life, it is a vital component of his overall goals to uplift and inspire cultural empowerment. I was able to catch up with him and to talk a bit more about Tatanka Clothing.

Video | Mni Sota

It's the weekend! I know you should be out frolicking, but in case you are not, watch a video! Check out this great video interview with Dyani Reynolds-White Hawk, one of the curators of the art show, Mni Sota: Reflections of Time and Place. The exhibit showcases the skill and beauty of over a dozen artists whose creativity promotes cultural continuity.

"The artists of Mni Sota provide stunning examples of ways in which Native Artists of the Minnesota region continue to embrace the contemporary while supporting tradition."


Click here to read more about Mni Sota.

Video | Annual Lakota Fashion Show 2012

He Sapa Style Show 2011

South Dakota doesn't celebrate Columbus Day - instead, they celebrate Native American Day. While the rest of the country commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his three ships (which didn't even make it to America, btw), people in South Dakota honor the Indigenous peoples who were here long before Columbus.

The Black Hills Powwow, or He Sapa Wacipi as it is known in the Lakota language, is one of the biggest celebrations, coinciding each year with the weekend before Native American Day.

Cody High Style Fashion Show | Mildj

These images just in from the Cody High Style Fashion Show - featuring fashion designs by Mildred Carpenter (Minucoujou Lakota).

For more information about Mildj, check out my previous designer profile on Mildred Carpenter.

Cody High Style exists to educate, to present economic opportunities, and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas which perpetuate the best traditions of Western Decorative Arts. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, is proud to host a celebration of Western Decorative Arts.