The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s 8th annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam officially kicked off Wednesday, July 6, in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. After the 8:30 a.m. drum song and blessing, the youth project’s 11 guest artists began painting at their five mural sites throughout the city.
One of those mural sites is located in the same apartment complex that is home to the massive “Mitákuye Oyasin” mural from RedCan 2021. There, five female graffiti and street artists — 179, Lucious, Rezmo, Yukue, and TamiJoy — are collaborating on a new large-scale piece that honors all indigenous women.
On Wednesday and Thursday, CRYP volunteer groups from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Ursuline College hosted free youth art activities at the Mitákuye Oyasin mural site at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Starting Friday, July 8, the action moves to CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park.
The artists:
179, Lucious, Rezmo, Yukue, TamiJoy, East, Cyfi, Hoka, Biafra, Lawst, Tsel
Special guests:
Mvskoke Creek/Seneca hoop dancers and storytellers Lumhe and Samsoche Sampson, better known as the Sampson Brothers; Sicangu Lakota hoop dancer Starr Chief Eagle; Cheyenne River lyricist Let It Bee; local drum group Wakinyan Maza; DJ Siouxpernatural; and CRYP’s Lakota Dance Exhibition.
Friday, July 8
All day: Mural painting in CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Siouxpernatural
11 a.m.: Leaf painting, squeegee art, making stress balls, book making
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lakota Dance Exhibition
2 p.m.: Keepsake origami boxes, Starr Chief Eagle class, Artist Class (Ages 13+)
4 p.m.: Artist Class (Ages 13+), Field Day activities
6 p.m.: Community meal hosted by University of Missouri-St. Louis
7 p.m.: Live performances from Starr Chief Eagle and Let It Bee
Saturday, July 9
All day: Mural painting in CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: DJ Siouxpernatural
11 a.m.: Pulled string art, tie-dye socks, color-blocking Zentangles, Three Marker Challenge, Starr Chief Eagle Class
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lakota Dance Exhibition
2 p.m.: Artist Class (Ages 13+), Sampson Bros. class, frozen T-shirts activity
4 p.m.: Artist Class (Ages 13+), Field Day activities
6 p.m.: Community meal hosted by Redco
7 p.m.: Live performance by the Sampson Bros.
For more RedCan 2022 information:
Award-winning “Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count)” documentary film:
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 is dedicated to giving our Lakota youth and families access to the culturally relevant, enriching, and enduring opportunities we need to build stronger, healthier communities and a more vibrant future together.