Two weeks ago, myself and several other amazing friends visited Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Finally sitting down now and looking through some photos I took, it almost feels like I haven't left. The plains, the wind gusts, the kids smiling, and the amazing large gorgeous skies are all still fresh in my mind. Yet grasping the experience through the week we were there is a bit overwhelming...
I visited Pine Ridge less then 2 month earlier. So the idea of spending my Thanksgiving with the families of Pine Ridge sounded great. Tuesday before we left we collected bags of blankets from a local school and we boxed dozens of boxes full of fresh produce and non-perishable foods for several families we knew could really use them. Then the next day we headed North for the 6hour Journey through Nebraska to South Dakota.
On Thursday (Thanksgiving) we awoke and started visiting different families in need. All with different yet heartfelt tragic stories. Many trying to get ready for the hard winter months ahead with little firewood and blankets available.
One of our stops was to our friend Bernard's home. While others gathered in his 10x12ft home I climbed a fairly high hilltop. I sat and listened to everything around me. Listening to the quiet desolate land around me and imagining my life if I had to survive or grew up here. Living without electricity or running water. It was one of my favorite & uplifting moments of the trip.
The late afternoon came and we traveled over an hour East to met the Yellowhawk family. There must have been 20people in their home. All smiling, running around, and sharing their stories with us. Stories of death, amazing family history, songs, fishing, and the abundant stars. The most stars I have ever seen.
After I got back from the first trip to SD I decided to draw a couple of the elders on the land. Each face has so much character and history within their eyes and skin. On the very first day back I was able to give a portrait drawing, I had worked on, to our friend Gilmore Porcupine. He was very pleased as I was.
Throughout the trip I carried around a canvas painting I started but had the families of Pine Ridge help finish. They'd help by painting leaves on a tree using their fingerprints and signing their names. Just like any other kid, all the kids loved getting thier fingers painted green. Creating our own friend/family tree of SD.
We stopped Friday morning to met the great, great, great grandson Chief Red Cloud. He shared with us his ideas of ways to use renewable resources on the reservation to continue to try and live better. Then we went by the Porcupine families' small 3 room home filled with 12 people. I was greeted right away with an energetic "Patrick!" (Smiling now as I think about it.) I jumped right in with the kids and started making snowflakes, paper mountains, & little paper people.
The day wasn't over as we drove to another section of the reservation. We drove to see our friend Babette, who was featured with her classroom and students on 20/20 with Diane Sawyer. We were surprised when she offered for us to go see her classroom and several of her students from the episode. Trying to learn the Lakota language through kids games and songs was pretty interesting. Meeting several of the single moms and hearing their struggles was eye opening as well. Making me feel grateful once again for all I have.
At the end of the night we decided the tree that had been worked on and painted throughout the trip would be best given to Babette for her classroom. Such an amazing women.
Our final day we traveled back to Bernard's home, where my friend Scott gifted him his first guitar. We tightly squeezed into his home and listened as he began to play. A mini acoustic concert with Bernard, Brad, & Scott. It didn't feel real to see and hear his weathered voice singing in the native language. Such an awesome experience. Afterwards I once again ran up another massive hill to overlook everything and try and not be overwhelmed with it all. Then I was greeted by several good friends on the top of the hill to share the experience.
Our last stop was once again at the Porcupine families' home. Jumping right in again with the drawing and creating. The girls we given several new warm hats which they loved trying on and sharing. I really had a hard time leaving them this trip. Such heartfelt, caring, & creative kids. As usual they made me several pictures to bring back.
We said our "See you laters" to each family and headed back through Nebraska and snow filled Wyoming. Sharing our individual experiences with each other and possible solutions for the future. Too many stories to share, too many emotions to feel, but as always worth every second.
The 19"x36" painting was shown at LGH Studios in Colorado and then sold shortly after and shipped out to a client in New Zealand. The idea behind the piece embodies "Hope" to me; Combining the often cold man-made world with the natural world of beauty. Below are several pictures of the painting process. Enjoy...
