Lakota Visions Jewelry
Mitchell Charles
Zephier
Cétan Ho Wasté (Pretty Voice
Hawk)
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 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.
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.
