Kahmi Tanka Wacipi honors Oscar Howe and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn

    BIG BEND –West Bend, on the north end of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation, was the location for the annual Big Bend Pow Wow this past week-end July 28-30, where two Dakota icons were honored for their lifetime achievements.

Janice Howe, a member of the Hunkpati Dakota Oyate organized an honoring for her grandfather Oscar Howe, (1915~1983) as well as honoring Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, (November 17, 1930 ~ July 5, 2023).

Janice Howe, granddaughter of Oscar Howe, went to school to be a nurse, she is now retired and involves herself in the community. After the loss of eight community members during Covid, they wanted to bring the community back together.

Oscar Howe was born in an era when no one wanted to be Indian. The family had such a rich ancestry. Each member of the family went on to pursue a college degree. Janice wanted people to know, “Even in your forties and fifties we must try to hang on to being educated in our Native heritage. Education is how we build our legacy, we must learn from the legacies left behind that our elders have lived, not a lot of kids go to school, and Covid also hit our community hard, so it is up to us to break these cycles we live in.”

A collection of the work of Oscar Howe titled “Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe,” has been on display at the South Dakota Art Museum at South Dakota State University in Brookings beginning June 10, 2023 and will run until September 17, 2023. All enrolled members of the tribe were invited to come admire the artwork.

“This was the first time anyone had invited any of the family to honor his work,” said Fabian Howe, a local councilman who helped coordinate the annual pow wow. Fabien was born and raised on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation and was at the special council meeting where Janice Howe asked to host an honoring ceremony. According to Fabian, the council gave their full support.

The Howes are descendants of Chief Bone Necklace, Huhunapin- Chief of Yantonais.

“Oscar believed that we have to help our people. Our ancestors took care of the people and now that is what we must do,” Fabian said. Fabien now carries that same work ethic, he helps with snow removal, and gathering groceries for elders. The pow wow is held to honor everyone from youngest to eldest.

Oscars Howe’s family members came together to host this year’s Big Bend Powwow, including Creighton Howe, grandson, Larice Firecloud, great great granddaughter, Erin Yellowrobe, Great granddaughter, Marice Ashley, granddaughter, Fabien Howe council member, donated money as well as a cow.

The meal was in honor of Oscar and Elizabeth, they served, dried corn soup, beef and veggie soup, Menudo, regular and raisin fry bread, Wojapi, fried chicken, cake, coffee, water, Gatorade, lemonade, potato salad, and macaroni salad.

Elizabeth Cook-Lynn was a writer, activist and educator who stood up for tribal sovereignty. Cook had a private ceremony for her funeral and she was born and raised here just like Oscar, so the family of Cook brought her ashes back home.

The family thanked Crow Creek Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek, for being one of the most compassionate leaders of their tribe. The tribal council helps with jobs, and things that the people never had in a long time. Helping with this honoring ceremony meant a lot to the family, their support was meaningful because not a lot of council are like that. A special thanks to Ft Thompson Indian Health Service information both for their donations and education. The family thanks Wayne TwoHawks and the Young Blue Bird drum group from Ft Thompson and the military veterans in attendance, Cedric Great Owl and Ed Howe Jr. and the Mato Pejuta Drum group for being in attendance.

 

Contact Christopher Piña at staffwriter3@nativesunnews.today)

The post Kahmi Tanka Wacipi honors Oscar Howe and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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