Cankpe Opi
‘Cankpe Opi’ is Lakota for Wounded Knee…..the site of a massacre which occurred on December 29, 1890 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
On that bleak winter morning, the Sioux chief Big Foot and some 350 of his followers camped on the banks of Wounded Knee creek. They were surrounded by 500 US troops who were to disarm and arrest them. Sitting Bull had been murdered just days before.
During a meeting to try and come to a truce, a shot from an unknown party was fired; this anonymous shot started the massacre. Indians ran to get their guns and defend themselves, but the surrounding army cut them all down. Over 300 Sioux were killed that day, and the massacre officially ended the Indian Wars but began the years of recrimination against the US government for their brutality toward the Indians.
In the late 90’s, we visited the Wounded Knee Monument and it was one of the most chilling experiences I have ever had. Sitting there on the grass outside the fenced area which holds many gravesites, looking out over that valley, I could feel the strong Spirits of the Ancestors. I heard them singing and the beating of the drums permeated my being…I will never forget that feeling….
Today, sitting here in my home on this most beautiful winter’s day in the Rocky Mountains where I am safe and warm, I thought of that awful day and was compelled to create some art to honor those who died there that day in the snow covered hills of South Dakota….
Cankpe Opi belongs to the following groups:
Ethnic Art, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), First People of America and Music Inspired Art (M.I.A) music links/lyrics required Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Jan Landers
tkrosevear
A most beautiful tribute to a Native American tragedy my sister, here’s another SONG version from Walela (Rita Coolidge) xoxoxo
Jan Landers replied
thank you, sis…it was very sobering to be there…thanks for the link to walela…i love them….
Judi Taylor
I cannot imagine the feeling you got when you were there. How far have we come since that day? What have we learned? These are the questions we must answer for those ancestors. I pray that we can answer them with pride and honor, if not today, then tomorrow.
Jan Landers replied
we are coming around, dear sister…it has taken some time, but we are…..wanishi, singing moon star….
lianne
I’ve always wanted to go there – having read the book – and also because I feel some affinity for the Lakota for some reason. This is such a magnificent work of art Jan – and a touching and beautiful tribute. You are so very special – such heart, my friend.
Jan Landers replied
i hope you get a chance to visit there one day, lianne….it is an amazing place so full of energy that it is almost overwhelming….thank you, my friend….
Karin Taylor
ooo soo sad Jan :(
Jan Landers replied
a dark time in our history for sure, karin….thanks….
Barry Norton
Wonderful tribute
Jan Landers replied
thank you so kindly, barry…
shilohlin
I am so deeply touched by the image here….. your tribute to our ancestors is moving and passionate…....bless you TreeDancer for doing this
Jan Landers replied
wanishi, my friend….we must never forget those who went on before and what they went through….thank you…..
handprintz
Such a sad story ,but such a lovely tribute Jan well done
Jan Landers replied
thank you, trudi….sad ineed….
Susan Bergstrom
Beautiful memorial…went to see this place and when we were there they had markers where all of the white men fell and died, but no marking for the Native American lives lost…asked the park ranger why this was…he had no answer…
Jan Landers replied
it could be because most or all of the natives were left frozen on the ground and then put into a common grave….as shown in the video i linked to….there are now gravesites of other natives within the fenced area….not sure if that common grave area is marked….
kjgordon
keeping the spirits alive…......wonderful
Jan Landers replied
yes indeed…mahalo for your suport, my amigo…
Erhan OZBIYIK
WOW !!!!
Jan Landers replied
in a good way, i hope! :-) thank you so much, erhan!
Tina Hogg
This brings tears to my eyes – you have created a beautiful and moving tribute.
Jan Landers replied
thank you, my friend…and tears are so cleansing…thank you….
Daveart
Fantastic image and story well done
Jan Landers replied
thank you kindly daveart….i really appreciate that….
Dawnsky2
thank you for sharing,,i am reading Wounded Knee as we speak,,well,, i have to keep putting it down,,it is taking me too long to read as i find it most distressing,,but for what its worth,, i would love to stand in the same spot that you did :)
Jan Landers replied
i know what you mean, laura…it is hard to digest and believe that we would do such things to our brothers and sisters….i wish for you one day a visit to this sacred place…..
Dawnsky2
Congratulations, your beautiful image has been,
from dawn and Laura :)
Jan Landers replied
wow….thank you ladies…this means a lot to me…so close to my heart….i am truly honored and grateful…
dawndavies
many congrats on your feature,dawn
Jan Landers replied
many thanks to you, dawn…i truly appreciate all the support…
tkrosevear
Jan Landers replied
thank you from my heart for the feature…..this one is so close to my heart….
blamo
Congratulations on your MIA feature Jan
Jan Landers replied
thank you so very much, blamo…..i so appreciate the feature….
MoonSpiral
Wow, I am glad you found me Jan. This is such a powerful piece W/ the Buffy Saint Marie link. I remember reading “Lakota Woman” in college and feeling such anger that our govt. had done this not just once, but twice to the Lakota. I have a small amount of Lakota blood in me and I can only imagine what it was like standing there hearing the cries of the ancestors!
Jan Landers replied
thank you for taking time to see and feel and comment, moon spiral…it was so powerful, yes….and…the grave in the picture is that of ruben redfeather…especially touching for me, as my spirit guide is redfeather…..i have chills just thinking about it…
linaji
Jan Landers replied
heartfelt thanks for this feature….this place is so dear to my heart, so powerful and unforgettable…..i am honored….
Fred Smilde 13 days ago
Jan Landers replied 13 days ago
thank you soooo much…i am honored always to be featured among such wonderful artists….and this piece is so special to me…..thank you, thank you!!!