Authentic
Native American Jewelry | ||||||||
Mitchell
Zephier, Lakota | ||||||||
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ABOUT THE MEDICINE WHEELThe Medicine Wheel is an integral part of American Indian Spirituality. It is based on the four cardinal directions and the four sacred colors. The circle represents life and the four colors, like the seasons, are the changes we make on our journey. At the center of the circle is the eternal fire from which everything originates and everything returns. Read more about Four Colors Medicine Wheel. |
Mitchell Charles Zephier Mitchell Zephier of Rapid City, South Dakota grew up on the Cheyenne River and Rosebud Indian reservations. In 1981 he founded Lakota Visions, traditional Lakota made Native American arts, crafts and jewelry from the plains states. He has mentored over 34 apprentices in metal-smithing and marketing. Family members and friends that work on Lakota Visions jewelry include his son Wakinyan Luta Zephier , Belle Starboy, Webster Two Hawk Jr., and Roger Dale Herron.
Mitch has other forms of artistic expression. His album Cherish the Children won a National Native Music Award for Best Children's Album. Mitchell Zephier's latest venture is to team up with fellow artists to explore, on film this time, the issues that affect the lives of Native Young People in Cloud Horse Production's Lakota 4 Life, a Zephier inspired look at the issues, decisions, responsibilities and opportunities facing Native Youth today. TURTLE - The turtle (KEYA) in Lakota culture is the guardian of life, patron of healing and controlled accidents. The turtle is wise and hears many things and does not tell anything. Its skin is like a shield so that arrows cannot wound it. The turtle is fierce in its attack on others. In legend KEYA allies himself with the thunderbeings in order to destroy the bad spirits that lurk in the water. THE FOUR SACRED COLORS / MEDICINE WHEEL - Many Native Americans view the world as having four directions. Each direction has a special meaning and color associated with it. The Lakota use the colors black, red, yellow and white to represent the four directions. For some, the colors represent the four seasons and the changes we make on our journey through life. Every tribe and every person has their own beliefs and you should use what best represents what you believe. The Medicine Wheel is an integral part of American Indian Spirituality. It is based on the four cardinal directions and the four sacred colors. The circle represents life and the four colors symbolize the four directions, the four races, the four seasons and the four Lakota virtues of generosity, bravery, fortitude, and wisdom. At the center of the circle is the eternal fire from which everything originates and everything returns.. Read more about Four Colors Medicine Wheel. |
WHAT IS BRASS?Brass is a metal alloy made of copper and zinc. The proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. Bronz, an alloy similar in appearance, is an alloy of copper and tin. Brass and bronze may also include small proportions of other elements including arsenic, phosphorus, aluminium, manganese, and silicon. |
Mitch
has won numerous awards including first place at Red Earth Show, several awards
at the internationally prestigious Sante Fe Indian Market as well as presented
his work at far off Native American venues like Schimutzun Celebration in Connecticut.
He has also earned the South Dakota Governor's award.