Authentic Native American Lakota Indian Dance Stick

Artist David Hoff-Grindstone

Lakota artist David Hoff-Grindstone is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation Hunkpapa Band.

Raised in an urban setting in Chicago, Illinois and Las Cruces, New Mexico, he was able to immerse himself in many Native American cultures, arts and traditions including his own Lakota roots.

His academic studies included the study of art, cross cultural studies and computer technology from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mesaland Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico and Grossmont Community College in El Cajon, California.

A U.S. Navy veteran, David served on board the USS Belleau Wood and participated in the WESTPAC tour in 1988 visiting countries abroad.

David is an award winning artist with clients in the United States and Canada, Central and South America, Europe, Australia and Africa. His goal to share his knowledge of Native American art and tradition and to give back to his community, has led him to participate in Pow Wows, conference, volunteering and fund raising efforts for non-profit organizations using his artistic talents and communication skills.

He is also a northern traditional dancer which allows him to represent himself as an ambassador and mentor of the Lakota cultures to both youth and adults. His involvement has helped bring a greater awareness of the native influence in art and culture.

David currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina where he actively volunteers in the community and participates in local art groups. Art pieces from his studio Buffalo Spirit Nation can be seen and purchased locally as well as online. He also lectures on Native American culture and traditions, and teaches drum making and other traditional art classes. About Lakota Sioux

Native American Ceremonial Sticks
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There are many types of sticks used in Native American ceremonies. The hai detoi is a stick of madrona wood with feathers on one end and a flint on the other - it is used by a Pomo (Northern California) shaman during healing ceremonies.

A hatcamuni is an Acoma Pueblo prayer stick. It is made by the individual (or an individual's family member) that is requesting healing. It is cut from a live willow or cedar, may be notched, or painted and might have feathers attached to it.

The Zuni bundle up a group of prayer sticks, kaetcine, offer them up to the spirits and then bury or deposit them in a prescribed location.

Lakota Horse Stick - To the Lakota and other Plains Indians, the horse was a working partner that provided transportation when moving, and a heroic companion on hunts and raids and in battle.

When a warrior lost a horse, he would honor the horse by making a horse stick. The effigy would represent the likeness of the horse and be decorated with markings and adornments that recounted the life and achievements of the horse.

The horse stick would then be carried by the warrior in dances to pay tribute to the great horse before other tribal members, most notably those of the Horse Society. By making and carrying the stick, it was hoped that the spirit of the horse would follow the warrior in life and give him added strength and power.

Like othe ceremonial sticks, the horse stick is usually made of wood and decorated with paint, leather, fur, feathers, beads and other items.