EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. — The Cheyenne River Youth Project was based in January 1988 with the objective of supporting Lakota youth and their households. From areas to programming, issues have modified so much over the past 34 years, however their mission stays the identical.
As the years come and go, new traditions are born. 2022 marked the eighth yr for the Red Can Graffiti Jam. It began in 2015 as a one-time-only occasion, however the group’s optimistic response — and the willingness of the artists to maintain coming again — made it an instantaneous hit.
The four-day festival is the primary of its sort in Indian nation, and with annually, its fame grows.
The award-winning occasion brings artists from throughout the nation to Eagle Butte. They keep 4 days, spending the primary two out locally portray murals. Youth locally be a part of them earlier than everybody returns to the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park for the ultimate two days of celebration.
Julie Garreau, the manager director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project, stated, “What we’re doing is introducing Lakota tradition and graffiti tradition and bringing these two stunning issues collectively. We’re creating artwork, plain and easy. And we’re partaking youngsters with that; we’re uplifting the group.”
But the occasion wasn’t at all times common with the locals. Garreau says initially, the group was afraid their youngsters would solely be studying the way to vandalize. Once they noticed Red Can’s success and the ensuing beautification of their metropolis, that sentiment modified.
Painting began with a wall right here or there, however now their work is seen from one finish of Eagle Butte to the opposite.
“People are calling and saying, ‘we’d like our storage painted this yr,’” Garreau stated. “Moreau-Grand Electric Cooperative provided their complete constructing for it to be [painted], so it’s one massive canvas. [The] Cheyenne River Housing Authority, they’re like, ‘we’d like to see a mural about Indian relay racers,’ so we’re doing that. It’s a group occasion; it’s group lifting group in the absolute best manner.”
The inspiration behind the gathering is Lakota tradition. Everything CRYP does is completed with and from the center, Garreau says.
“Really what we’re attempting to do is protect the tradition,” stated Hena Manocha, an artwork therapist from Ohio on her second journey to Red Can. “In order to recollect it, with a purpose to honor it, that is the way in which you do it. You work with the youngsters; you assist them bear in mind to allow them to hold passing it on.”
The tradition, Manocha says, is a wonderful one, however one which she says is “made to be forgotten” on this world. Garreau says it received’t be.
“I’m proud and I’m a Lakota particular person. We are right here and we’re placing every thing we all know on partitions and letting you understand that we’re right here,” Garreau stated. “Lakota individuals, we by no means went anyplace. That’s not going to occur.”
It’s a cultural melting pot; an opportunity to be taught not solely about artwork, however about one another.
“Every artist right here is from a special affiliation of tribes, so it’s a straightforward manner for all of us to come back collectively and actually find out about all the remainder of them,” stated CRYP Art Fellow Sierra Maynard.
One of this yr’s artists was Lawst, a graffiti artist from Minnesota. It’s his second yr at Red Can.
“I like how youngsters are so intrigued with spray paint and [have] by no means even used spray paint, or identical to, love artwork, as a result of artwork is simply principally a therapeutic technique or a coping mechanism for sure individuals,” Lawst stated.
Lawst permits his Potawatomi, Menominee, and Puerto Rican heritage to affect his artwork. Originally from Chicago, he’s been within the Twin Cities-area for a decade, and has been portray graffiti for 15 years. Back in Minnesota, he represents graffiti crews J4F (“Just for Family”) and TKO (“True Kings Only”).
“Everyone has their very own methods of taking a look at graffiti…like a foul factor, factor…or it simply brings happiness,” Lawst says. “I love to do a whole lot of completely different colours and transparency designs and overlapping and never have every thing look the identical.”
Traditional Lakota dancers additionally carry out during Red Can. Take a take a look at a number of the performances from day three:
DID YOU KNOW?
Graffiti comes from the Italian phrase graffiare, which implies “to scratch.”
This form of communication has a long history, going all the way in which again to writing on the partitions within the historic metropolis of Pompeii. It’s advanced ever since, from the political and social murals of the IRA in Northern Ireland to open-source group initiatives like Los Angeles’ “Great Wall.”
Academics now research graffiti and different avenue artwork, which is usually a response to present occasions.
Garreau echoed that assertion, saying that Red Can exemplifies the respect that has grown for graffiti artists.
“Now after I take a look at trains rolling by, I believe, ‘wow’! Either I do know that particular person or it’s stunning art work,” Garreau stated. “I simply suppose we’ve opened our minds and we’ve introduced these two actions collectively – these cultures collectively – and it simply appears to be working effectively.”
Manocha says this creativity is like tapping into the unconscious, permitting individuals catharsis when phrases simply aren’t sufficient.
Many at Red Can, like Lawst, say artwork is like their remedy.
“It’s an excellent manner for me to specific myself, as a result of speaking and stuff is one thing I battle with,” Maynard says. “It’s simple for me to do it on paper.”
Those expressions, from Lakota phrases to animals, names, and even summary artwork, are uplifting, Garreau says. Seeing that artwork, the colour, the sweetness — it’s inspiring.
“When it comes to a group like this, to have the ability to go searching and see these messages and to see the colour and to be reminded of that each one of that is value one thing a lot extra…it’s simply…it’s simply stunning,” Manocha stated.
As this yr’s Red Can Graffiti Jam ends, Cheyenne River retains wanting forward. Everyone I talked to, from artists and board members to guests, all had the identical sentiment – irrespective of your background or the place you reside, Red Can is an occasion for everybody.
“This is a spot that may at all times welcome you with open arms, as a result of they know the way vital it’s. Preserving the tradition means different individuals experiencing it, too,” Manocha stated.
The mission of the Cheyenne River Youth Project is to present Lakota youth and households entry to the culturally related, enriching, and enduring alternatives wanted to construct stronger, more healthy communities and a extra vibrant future collectively.
Click here for more information on the Cheyenne River Youth Project.
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