Lakota Crafts Shop

In native culture, art is intertwined in the belief that all things are connected. Originally, there was no art made for pure enjoyment, each item had a value that was religious, spiritual or functional, and often all three existed within the same piece.

We do not use patterns, so although items may be similar, they will not be identical. Neither do we use machines. The leather is hand-cut and all sewing is done by hand. Any beaded items are either hand-beaded or done on a small beading loom.

Our items are Lakota-made by ourselves or by members of our own family. In locating resources and supplies for our projects we look for leather and other supplies that can be recycled, or we buy from native suppliers.

Each purchase will come with a brief bio of our family that includes a family photo and a short description of life on the Pine Ridge Reservation, which is where we are from.

The Lakota words for the Black Hills are Wamaka Ognaka Icante, or the heart of everything that is. For the Lakota, the Black Hills are the center of the universe. Lakota tradition identifies the Black Hills as the first place created on earth and the center of the Cangleska Oyate, or the Hoop of the Nation. Although some of us have moved away from the reservation, our hearts still walk with the people there, especially members of our own family-- who crafted many the items we offer.

Through our 1000 Markets shop, we are honored to offer you beautiful, culturally significant items from Wamaka Ognaka Icante. We offer these items with love, gratitude and prayers, and we hope that as you browse our shop you will find something that speaks to your heart . Thank you for taking the time to view our offerings. Pilamaya!