“Seven Councel Fires” in Lakota and Mapuche, Silkscreen Poster. 

This 24”x36” poster utilizes a three color silkscreen process and features and painted typography in both the Lakota and Mapuche Languages. The term Očhéthi Šakówiŋ refers to seven fires that represent the unified bands of lakota Oyate (kinfolk). Reqle Kütral translates to seven fires with Kütral meaning the hearth of a home to better convey the representational aspect of the original term. I chose to include the Mapuche text to express my heritage and perspective on Lakota culture and philosophy of Wakan Tanka (great mystery). The Mapuche language is quickly disappearing with only about 300,000 fluent speakers left in Chile and Argentina. Work like this helps keep this ancient tongue alive. This work represents a unity between north and south and pays homage to the coalition of the eagle and the condor, the two sacred birds of north and south america. The seven flames in the image dance and mingle with one another illustrating the fluid and shifting boundaries between each band together they become one fire.