Mitakuye Oyasin 

As I started beading I wanted to know more.  I wanted to know where and why.  Beads used to be used to identify social class.  Horns and wood were both used for beads.  The natives took to beading.  I have seen works from the Wixarika (huichol) tribes, the Dine (navajo) times, and the Lakota and Dakota tribes.  All are unique in their symbolism and colors used.  The one thing that is not unique is the fact that beading was used as a form of art by our... OUR ancestors.   Every single person alive today has ancestors that walked these lands.  Beads have been around since then.  Even though I am from the region that has Mescalero Apache and Dine, I began my studies with the Lakota.  The Lakota have legends that all tell a story about lessons in virtue we could all use.  They have a saying... "Mitakuye Oyasin "  meaning "we are all related" or translating to "of all our relatives."  One thing that this world needs more of today is unity rather than division.   Mitakuye Oyasin is a way of explaining that concept in two simple words.  I will always be humble and grateful for what Creator allows me to take away from these learnings.  I am not indigenous however, Mitakuye Oyasin. 

My Energy