Dakota in the Pacific Northwest

65" x 52" x 52"
Cotton, ribbon, jingles, buttons, clay, wire, found object

2017

 I’m a Dakota in the Pacific Northwest, living in the diaspora that was created as a result of the Dakota War of 1862, when our people were exiled from our homeland of Minnesota. The Indian Relocation Act further dispersed Dakota people, from reservations around the Midwest and in Canada to cities around the country. Suspended from a cascade of rain jingles and fluffy clouds, Anpa O Wicanh'pi, the morning star form embodies the beauty and resilience of our people, even when far from home.

"Dakota in the Pacific Northwest" is showing at the Washington State History Museum's "In the Spirit: Contemporary Native Arts Exhibition" this summer. It won the Honoring Innovation award, receiving a tie with "Micro Spill" by Ryan Feddersen (Colville)!