Remember the children on your journey,Arikara-Sáhniš

Remember the children on you journey is a piece that surrounds the future of the Sáhniš (Arikara) people, which is the children. The biomorphic red/orange background represents the ever changing world that surrounds the Arikara people as they evolve on their journey up the Missouri River.  Positioned in each of the corners in the semi-cardinal directions are four ears of colored corn with three spirit lights in front of them symbolic of the total 12 Arikara bands. 

Yellow corn represents the Southeast direction and where ancestors & Mother Corn come from, the three spirit lights correspond to; Awahu – Left Behind, Nahukata-By Water, scirihauch-Coyote Fat Bands

Red Corn represents the Southwest direction and the buffalo Nation, the three spirit lights correspond to Arikara bands; hukawirat-Eastern, warihka-Horn Log, nakarikA-Tree Branch Sticking out Bands

White Corn represents the Northwest direction and the elements (wind), the three spirit lights correspond to Arikara bands; tuhkatakux-Village Against a Hill, cinIhnahtakux-Ash Tree on a Hill, witauzu-Long Haired man Bands

Black Corn represents the Northeast direction and star nation, the three spirit lights correspond to Arikara bands; tuhkasthanu-Buffalo Sod Village, nakanusts-small berries, sitinisapIT-They Broke the Arrow Bands.

A series of small colored squares and a rectangle signify the altar and the society bundles in the Medicine Lodge. The centered white rectangle represents the altar.  To the right of the altar is a blue square for the Big Foot (Duck) bundle, yellow square is the moon/Owl bundle, Black square is the Night/Young Dog Bundle, Brown square is the Bear Bundle. On the left side of the white rectangle/altar is a green square for the Swamp Bird Bundle, Brown square is the Buffalo Bundle, Black square is the Black Tail Deer Bundle, and the pale white square is the Ghost Bundle.  A cedar tree stands in front of the medicine Lodge and the opening is highlighted by a spirit light where the village crier announces the arrival of the people. Horse tracks demonstrate the journey of the Sáhniš people- at the end of the tracks, four pox circles, mark the devastating small pox epidemics that almost decimated a once opulent People. The sage plant on the left is in the growing stage and hasn’t bloomed like the Sáhniš who are striving for new growth. The baby moccasins are decorated in both beadwork and quillwork to demonstrate the development of craftsmanship and a contrast of the past and present worlds. Baby Moccasins were tied to a cedar tree after specific ceremonies were completed. These cedar trees were taken down to the water and put in the river, allowing them to be washed down.  This was performed to let their ancestors know that the traditions are being continued. “Remember your children on your journey”