NOVEMBER 2006

Artist of the Month for November:  Rhonda LaBatte

Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store would like to present as their artist of the month for November is Rhonda LaBatte.  Rhonda is Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate member belonging to the Big Coulee District. She is known for her beautiful star quilts.  When asked about how she got started Rhonda replied, “I began making star quilts four years ago.  I had the opportunity to attend some of the free evening quilting classes offered at SWCC back in 2002.  My interest in making star quilts began as a need for my daughter Ashley’s memorial, which would take place the following year in 2003.  Quilting is more than a hobby to me.  It was a healing tool for me during my grieving.  It gives a person a lot of time to think, but also keeps you very busy at the same time.  My grandmother, the late Clara Eagle, also enjoyed making star quilts.  It means so much for me to carry on a part of my heritage. I spend quite a bit of time deciding on the colors and prints for my star quilts. My next goal is to learn how to hand quilt.”  Recently Rhonda has created her own website at www.nativejunctionstarquilts.com . So please visit her site, and help support a new and upcoming artist.  “I really appreciate our Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store.  They have sold several of my quilts.  I encourage all artists to display their artwork there. I would also like to thank my good friend Charlotte, who helped me get started.” Rhonda disclosed.  You can view Rhonda’s quilts all month long in November.

OCTOBER 2006

October 27:  U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth

October Classes

Dakota Nation Art and Gift Store will be hosting these free classes this month:

Watercolor classes will start on October 2nd , and run every Monday after that from 6-9PM.  Ribbon Shirt Making classes will start October 5th and run Thursdays 6-8PM, and Saturdays from 1-4PM.  Shawl/Pillow and Applique Design classes start October 19th and run Thursdays 6-8PM and Saturdays 1-4PM. 

Class sizes are limited.  Must provide own materials and sewing machine.  Register now at 605-698-3367.

SEPTEMBER 2006

Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store Featured Artist: Mary White-Country  

Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store would like to present as their featured artist for the month of September, Mary White-Country. Mary is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, belonging to the Long Hollow District.  In collaboration with her husband Francis, the two have been creating art for more than 25 years. Mary is award winning artist both for her beadwork and design pieces. She is well known for traditional doll making. Recently both Mary and Francis attended theSante Fe Indian Art Market and showed several pieces of their work. She is currently the Art Director at the Sisseton-Wahpeton College, and is working on developing a fine arts degree for them. Mary will be displaying her art work all month long at the store with showings of her doll making skills every Friday afternoon.

Weekly Art Instruction:  Drawing

Every Monday evening from 6:00-8:00pm, starting September 11 to October 2, Artist Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan will be teaching art instruction on drawing. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who would like to learn how to draw or to brush up on their talents.  There will be a $10 fee for refreshments, in which can be paid before or on the first day of class. Spaces are limited, so sign up early. A second session will be offered in October, which will cover painting.

September 19:  BOOK SIGNING 5:00-8:30pm - In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors

In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors is a collection of essays in words and pictures that tell the story of the Dakota Death March of November 1862.   In the after math of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, roughly 1,700 Dakota women, children and elders were forcibly marched from the Lower Sioux Agency in southern Minnesota to a concentration camp at Fort Snelling. Those who survived this march and the subsequent hard winter were eventually removed from their homeland.

In 2002, descendants of the original marchers, their relatives, and allies once again walked, and they will continue to walk every two years until 2012. Their stories of the original march, along with their experiences on the marches of  this century, convey the deep pain and trauma of historical harm. They also  point to the healing of these harms and the revitalization of the Dakota  people.

Meet Author Gabrielle Wynde-Tateyuskanskan (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate), and Waziyatawin Angela Wilson, Editor, and participants for readings and comments about the Dakota Commemorative Marches of the 21st Century. September  19, 2006 from 5:00-8:30 pm at Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store, 12 Veterans Ave,  Sisseton, South Dakota.

AUGUST 2006

August 30:  DAKOTA NATION ART & GIFT STORE TIPI RAISING & STORY TELLING EVENT

Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store had a tipi raising seminar & story telling in Drentel Park. Tribal Artisan Russell Smith instructed the participants from beginning to end on how to put up a tipi. Traditionally the Dakota Women kept the lodge, and so it was done by the women that attended the seminar. There were several spectators in the area, but the construction was completed by Liz Anderson, Celine Buckanaga, Anpao Goodsell, Linda Kriz, and Phyllis Redday Roberts. Russell Smith was an excellent instructor and and the tipi went up with no problems. Afterwards, Phyllis told the story of our Dakota people and the flight to Canada in 1862. Then it was time to take down the lodge. There was plenty of help from the youth that attended. We would like to thank everyone that attended, but especially Russell Smith and Phyllis R. Roberts.

August 26:  Children’s Art Show Winners

On Saturday August 26, the Children’s Art Show was held at Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store. This past summer, two different art sessions were conducted at Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store, by Artist Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan. Ages 6 through 11 were held on July 18- August 3 every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Ages 12-17 were held every morning during the week of August 7-11. All art pieces were on display Saturday. Family and friends were invited to see the young artist’s work. The art was done in a wide range of mediums from decoupage fish, paper parfleches, pencil drawings and watercolor.

$100 was donated to the Children’s Art Show by Sculptor Presley LaFontain of Sante Fe, New Mexico. Presley is a professional artist since graduating from the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA). He knows the importance of mentoring young artist and encouraging their gift for art. 1st Place – Michael Robertson $50, 2nd Place – Troy Pretends Eagle $25, 3rd Place – Christian Robertson $25. Instructor Gabrielle Wynde-Tateyuskanskan, a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Art, hopes to see many of these young and gifted artists at IAIA when they grow up.

Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store Featured Artist: Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan

Gabrielle is an educator, speaker, visual artist, poet and Jingle Dress dancer who lives with her family in the rural community of Enemy Swim of the Lake Traverse Reservation.  Her visual art work is included in the permanent collections of Atkta Lakota Museum. Gabrielle is active in promoting social change and restorative justice through her published work on the Dakota Commemorative Walk. Gabrielle is a well established artist has received numerous awards: Northern Plains Tribal Art, 1993, Honorable Mention 1991, 3rd place water color 1989 and the Jurors Award Red Cloud Art Show.  In 1972 Gabrielle assisted as an instructor of the Dakota Annishnabe Children’s Art Exhibit, Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City.

Owned and Operated by the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation.
Supported by a grant from the Administration for Native Americans.