The Cheyenne River Youth Project has announced that it will host its 10th Annual RedCan Invitational Graffiti Jam on July 10-13. The Native-led nonprofit organization is preparing to welcome 14 graffiti and street artists for this year’s four-day arts and culture festival in the heart of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation.
Returning artists include: East, an artist of Cherokee descent from Denver; Cyfi, a Yaqui and Azteca artist from Minneapolis; Dwayno, a Salt River Pima-Maricopa and Tohono O’odham artist from Arizona; 179, a Latine artist from Seattle; Hoka, an artist of Oneida, Oglala Lakota and La Jolla Band of Luiseño descent from Albuquerque; TamiJoy, a Cheyenne River Lakota artist; Yukue, from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Guadalupe, Arizona; Rezmo, a Diné and Mexicá artist currently living in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona; and Minneapolis-based artists Biafra and Wundr.
New this year are: Phat1 and Lady Diva, Māori artists from Aotearoa (New Zealand); Midwestern artist Brady Scott; and Kansas-born Ponca artist Amp.
“We’re so excited about the lineup for our 10th annual RedCan,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s chief executive officer. “Eleven of our featured artists have indigenous heritage, from our Great Plains homelands to as far away as New Zealand. Five of them are women.
“Ten artists are returning, some for the ninth or 10th time,” she continued. “Our RedCan family is strong, and it is growing. We are looking forward to welcoming our four new artists to Cheyenne River — and to welcoming back so many old friends.”
Held in the heart of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation, RedCan is the first and only event of its kind in Indian Country. Every summer, this innovative and award-winning event offers an unprecedented opportunity for the Cheyenne River community and its guests to connect with Lakota culture while also experiencing the largest art movement in the history of humankind.
On July 10-11, the artists will bring Lakota language, stories and culture to life at large-scale mural sites across the city of Eagle Butte while local children participate in volunteer-led art activities in the community. CRYP’s teen art interns and Lakota Art Fellows will support the artists — and have opportunities to learn, collaborate, and practice new skills.
“RedCan is all about connection and cultural exchange,” Garreau said. “It gives our youth artists opportunities to work alongside established artists with thriving careers, and for all of us to build meaningful relationships while sharing our experiences, stories, and ideas.”
On July 12-13, the action will move to the youth project’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park. All 14 featured artists will paint in the park while guests enjoy hands-on art activities, traditional Lakota dancing, hoop-dancing workshops, music, and community meals.
As always, the Wakinyan Maza drum group will begin and end each day with songs and a blessing. In addition, RedCan 2024 will include performances by The Wake Singers, an Oglala Lakota band from Mni Luzihan; Cheyenne River Lakota storyteller Taté Walker; entertainer Jackie Bird, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribe of South Dakota and Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota; and renowned Mvskoke Creek/Seneca hoop dancers The Sampson Bros.
Additional details and a full schedule of events will be available in the coming weeks. To learn more about RedCan 2024, this year’s featured artists and special guests, and how to help support this groundbreaking event in Indian Country, visit www.lakotayouth.org/redcan.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.