Mini Spirit Horse Stick with Stand
Alvin Iron Cloud Sr., Lakota

Alvin Iron Cloud Sr.

Alvin Iron Cloud Sr. is a talented Oglala Lakota artist known for his craftsmanship and contributions to Native American arts. He creates both memorials for horses and smaller retail art pieces, reflecting Lakota traditions and values. His work is celebrated within the Lakota community and beyond for its cultural significance and artistry. He is the son of Marcella Vivian Iron Cloud, a respected elder of the Lakota community who passed away in early 2024.

Lakota Horse Stick

To the Lakota and other Plains Indians, the horse was a working partner that provided transportation and was 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.

The horse stick was usually made of wood and decorated with paint, leather, fur, feathers, beads and other items.