top of page
Artist
Tribe/Band

FIRST IMPRESSION

Other than friendly neither party could not have been, since these outnumbered people arriving in what looked like large canoes did live to record their first encounter had to return to their homelands. From the east coast to the west, similar scenarios in fact echoed in cordial ways until improvidently somebody stepped on the other's toes.

But recognizing at once their common humanity though of ashen coloration and speaking in a strange tongue, the Lakota labeled the new arrival as ska wicasa or white man.

Only, based on historical fact the artistic effect of the painting brings forth the question-who found first? And if in fact one was last one found, although at this late date this line of inquiry seems inconsiderable.

From the native viewpoint, the Lakota (Seneca, Hopi, Umatilla, Ute, put your own Native Nation Here) were always here. In fact the experience of the Hopi states the relevant human movements have been vertical rather than horizontal. Of their continuing journeys up through several worlds, the Hopi oral records reveal this. Thus, being here always is the way the Native people feel. And so, in the painting, they are a welcoming party.

It is only in this sense, that the Native people were always here, that these travelers to this occupied continent could be called the "discoverers", secondarily. Now, let us look at it the other way. The Lakota were not always settled here on this continent. They traveled here from some other place. Then since they were already here ahead of anyone else, they are the premier explorers of this continent now called America. Either way, only the Native people do inherit the title of original citizens, living in convert with the natural way of the beautiful and bountilful island.

bottom of page