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A creation story is a sacred depiction that gives narrative to the origins of time and the formations of a world. The Dakota and Lakota refer to these expansive stories as Oȟunkákáŋ. Over time the sharing of these narratives become oral traditions and often grow into various versions that demonstrate the creativity of the storyteller. This exhibition shares these stories through visual art and musical compositions to engage you with Oceti Sakowin oral traditions. The Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) is a confederacy of Native Nations that speak three different dialects of the same language: the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota.

Creation.Story presents the eldest relatives from these narratives through the incorporation of artworks by sixteen contemporary Oceti Sakowin artists. Eight paintings by Keith BraveHeart (Oglála Lakota) centered in the exhibition feature spiritual relatives known as Wakáŋ Taŋká (a collective identity of powerful individualities): Iŋyaŋ (the first, rock); Makȟa (the earth); Škaŋ (movement); and Wí (the sun); then, Wakíŋyaŋ (thunder being); Tȟaté (wind); Haŋwí (the moon); and Wóȟpe (falling star woman). Following the creation of this series for his MFA, BraveHeart approached Lakota and Dakota artists to create pieces that further expand on and explore the stories associated with these beings, as well as the four directions: east, south, west and north. The exhibition has continued to grow and change with each presentation.

For this iteration of Creation.Story, guest curators Jhon Goes In Center (Oglála Lakota) and Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota) incorporated historical objects from the Museum’s permanent collection, offering a deeper understanding of the continuum of Native creativity and oral tradition.

At the heart of the gallery is a community space, inviting you to gather, reflect, discuss and create, embodying the essence of community and shared tradition.

Original Creation.Story exhibition curated by Keith BraveHeart and David Meyer (Aktá Lakota Museum). South Dakota Art Museum Creation.Story exhibition curated by Jhon Goes In Center and Marlena Myles.

Featured Artists:

Angela Babby (Oglála Lakota); Talon Bazille Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Lakota and Crow Creek Dakota); Leland Benoist (Itázipčho & Húŋkpapȟa Lakota); Destiny Big Crow (Oglála Lakota); Keith BraveHeart (Oglála Lakota); RandiLynn Boucher-Giago (Sissituwaŋ, Mdewakaŋtuwaŋ Dakota and Diné); Jhon Goes in Center (Oglála Lakota); Dakota Wind Goodhouse (Yanktonai & Húŋkphaphxa Lakhxóta); Billy Janis (Oglála Lakota); Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota); Mikayla Patton (Oglála Lakota); Misty Redsky King (Caŋsáyápí Dakota); James Star Comes Out (Oglála Lakota); Dustin Twiss (Oglála Lakota); Dyani White Hawk (Sičháŋǧu Lakota); and Dwayne Wilcox (Oglála Lakota)