Lakota Life Mural

The Horse Story
When the Lakota people acquired their horses

       The first image will always be the storyteller. The next shows the people, how they were poor and forced to carry their burdens on their backs. Dogs were the main beasts of burden and pulled small travois. The men were out front guarding and hunting, so you see their weapons at the ready, with boys bringing up the rear. They hunted mainly small animals such as antelope with bows and arrows, also birds and other small game.
    They held a council with all the elders and tribal members because they had seen other tribes with large dogs, and they wanted to acquire these animals so they could be more mobile. The tipis indicate a large council of people. The council sent forth two individuals to meet the other tribes who had horses already. They bargained with them and struck a trade, and you'll see that with the two warriors leading off the horses.
    With the acquisition of the horse, they learned how to ride, and hunt larger game like the moose, deer, antelope and the bear from the backs of their horses. They learned to hunt the wolves in packs rather than as individuals. One with the horse, they became fleet and more able to provide for their families. They hunted buffalo and elk, and from these they had better skins for their clothing and dwellings, and more food to feed the people. They became famous in warfare; brave warriors on horseback. So you see the three images in different attire and social standing. Horses, as well as warriors, wore feathers to show their brave deeds in battle, and other deeds as well.
    (The last image) - The Lakota people were great hunters and warriors. Buffalo meat and fruit of the land made them strong, but the horse was the one true gift that made them famous.


	The Horse Story When the Lakota people acquired their horses The first image will always be the storyteller. The next shows the people, how they were poor and forced to carry their burdens on their backs. Dogs were the main beasts of burden and pulled small travois. The men were out front guarding and hunting, so you see their weapons at the ready, with boys bringing up the rear. They hunted mainly small animals such as antelope with bows and arrows, also birds and other small game. They held a council with all the elders and tribal members because they had seen other tribes with large dogs, and they wanted to acquire these animals so they could be more mobile. The tipis indicate a large council of people. The council sent forth two individuals to meet the other tribes who had horses already. They bargained with them and struck a trade, and you'll see that with the two warriors leading off the horses. With the acquisition of the horse, they learned how to ride, and hunt larger game like the moose, deer, antelope and the bear from the backs of their horses. They learned to hunt the wolves in packs rather than as individuals. One with the horse, they became fleet and more able to provide for their families. They hunted buffalo and elk, and from these they had better skins for their clothing and dwellings, and more food to feed the people. They became famous in warfare; brave warriors on horseback. So you see the three images in different attire and social standing. Horses, as well as warriors, wore feathers to show their brave deeds in battle, and other deeds as well. (The last image) - The Lakota people were great hunters and warriors. Buffalo meat and fruit of the land made them strong, but the horse was the one true gift that made them famous.