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| Honor and Remember |
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| DESCRIPTION |
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Honor and Remember
Image size: 15 x 24"
Canvas - $320 - Limited edition (999)
Also available as:
Archival paper - $220 - Limited edition (999)
Framed - add $190
Poster print - $40
This painting is my tribute to our warriors' courage and innocence. The Eagle Feather represents the highest honor a Lakota/Dakota/Nakota man can earn in our way of life.
The "38" represents the thirty eight Dakota warriors hanged in Mankato Minnesota.
I want the observer to know that had there not been corruption and greed there would not have been an uprising. For instance my people agreed to move on small tracts of land that were assigned to them by the government and in return they would be taken care of.
Finally when it came to an emergency situation because the children and elderly were dying from disease and starvation and the able-bodied warriors were not allowed to hunt on their former homeland because they would be labeled hostile and shot on sight.
The people went to Myrick a government agent to ask for their allotment of food rations horses etc. Agent Myrick told them to "eat grass and cow dung" and flat out denied them the promises given by the government.
December 6th in the "Moon When the Deer Shed Their Horns" President Lincoln signed the Proclamation of Emancipation for black slaves to be freed. At the same time ordering the largest mass execution in the United States history. He ordered the hanging of 38 Dakota.
Two warriors who were not on Lincoln's list were still hanged. Those that were hanged had shackles on their ankles so "they could not dance" and hoods over their heads "so they could not sing."
One year later in December 1863 Shakopee and Medicine Bottle (the two Dakota men standing behind the Eagle Feather) who had fled earlier to Canada; were drugged tied to a dog sled and kidnapped back to the United States by Major Edwin Hatch and a battalion of Minnesota Calvary. They had conspired with an American living in Canada John McKinsey to bring the two Dakota men to stand trial in Minnesota. This was done with complete disregard for international law. A few months later they too were hanged.
Little Crow a proud leader in the center background had to make a decision - life and dignity for his people or death by starvation and disease.
Little Crow knew that his people would fight a losing battle proudly as a true Dakota Leader he chose to lead his people to life and dignity.
Our people chose to fight intrusion corruption and greed and were hanged in the "Moon When the Deer Shed Their Horn" December 26th 1862 the day after Christmas.
"Peace on Earth and Good Will To All Men" |
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