A tipi painted by the late Oglala Sioux artist Paha Ska, also known as Orville Francis Salway, at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Photo © Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation
Paha Ska’s tipi on display at Crazy Horse Memorial
By Native Sun News Staff The tipi was the primary choice of residence for many of the Great Plains tribes. Accordingly, “tipi” is the Lakota word for dwelling, housing, building or residence. Because it was easy to deconstruct, pack up, and transport, the tipi proved an invaluable part of the lifestyle of Great Plains tribes – especially as these tribes moved across the land in pursuit of the buffalo. In addition, the tipi provided shelter against the winds, rains, sun and cold, while still remaining temporary and moveable. The tipi allowed for protection from the elements without altering the landscape – an important point that lends itself to better understanding the Plains peoples’ reverent relationship with nature.
A close-up of the tipi painted by the late Oglala Sioux artist Paha Ska, also known as Orville Francis Salway, at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota. Photo © Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation
Traditionally, women were primarily responsible for preparing the hides of which the tipi was constructed as well as the day to day care of the tipi once it was completed and in use. Likewise, men were most often responsible for decorating the outside of the tipi once it was finished. Working within such traditional gender roles, Paha Ska painted the tipi that is currently on display in the Indian Museum of North America® at Crazy Horse Memorial. Well-known Oglala Lakota artist Orville Francis Salway (1923 -2005), or Paha Ska (White Hills) as he was named by Ben Black Elk, was born near Whiteclay, Neb., and lived most of his life in the Black Hills area, starting in Rapid City and later moving to Keystone where he sold his artwork and posed for pictures in traditional regalia. The colorful images on the Paha Ska tipi depict the intricate vision of Lakota Holy Man, Nicholas Black Elk.
Read the rest of the story on the all new Native Sun News website: Paha Ska’s tipi on display at Crazy Horse Memorial Copyright permission Native Sun News
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