Native Warrior Bust

“They made us many promises, but they kept only one. They promised to take our land and they did"

Red Cloud, Chief of the Oglala Lakota

As a child I only knew of the romantic history. The history that included the great tribes who roamed this land, following the buffalo and living as one with the earth and the great spirit. I wanted nothing more than to live among them. As a child I would spend hours in the wood covered in “war paint” that I made from berries and dream a horse tribe would ride through and take me with them. I remember the gut wrenching pain I felt when my grandfather explained what happened to the indigenous people when I asked where they went. It wouldn’t be until years later that I understood the treacheries that were inflicted on the people of this land.

The hardest part of history is that it can’t be undone. I will always have a deep sense of guilt living on this land knowing how our ancestors obtained it.

I have always loved learning about the cultures of the many tribes that lived here for centuries before us. Despite my deep love and respect I had significant hesitation when creating this piece. I wanted to make sure I represented this warrior in a way that would honor and pay respect to the people of this land, and not simply steal the aesthetic from a culture that we have already stripped so much from. I wanted to represent the strength and spirit of the indigenous people A warrior proud to defend his people. A warrior, that like so many, would sacrifice it all for his people and way of life.

"If we must die, we die defending our rights”

Sitting Bull, Chief of the Hunkpapa Lakota