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.
