John Wooden Legs - Our Land is Everything to Us

Sharing some digital art I created today using a Native Quote by John Wooden Legs, Cheyenne.

"Our land is everything to us... I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it - with their lives."

Sioux Chiefs Native Photo Art

I decided to to explore some Native photos at the Library of Congress today and came across a beautiful photo by Edward S. Curtis of some Sioux Chiefs, taken sometime between 1900-10. I wanted to do some digital editing, since that is one of my passions, because I loved the photo so much.

Sioux Chiefs

(Clicking on the photo's title will take you to its location at the Library of Congress.)

According to The Great Sioux Nation page of the Snow Owl website, for the Sioux, the title of Chief was earned for outstanding performance during times of war or peace. It was considered an honorary title. The Sioux people traditionally ruled by a unanimous vote of a council of Chiefs, rather than by one "elected" leader. Decisions of the council were meant to guide the people, rather than to dictate or command them.

You can read more about the great Sioux Nation by clicking on the link below, which will take you to the Snow Owl website's page on the Sioux people.

The Great Sioux Nation