AUGUST 2, 2023:
The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s 9th annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam on July 5-8, 2023, was one for the record books. The award-winning event’s attendance exceeded pre-pandemic levels, attracting hundreds of people — including the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts — to the five large-scale murals taking shape across Eagle Butte and to CRYP’s public Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park.
The nonprofit youth organization announced today that more than 800 people visited the five mural sites during RedCan’s two community-painting days to watch the graffiti jam’s 10 featured artists at work: East, Cyfi, Hoka, Biafra, Wundr, 179, TamiJoy, Yukue, Rezmo and Desi Mundo. Many community members also took the time to speak with the artists and their assistants, who comprised CRYP teen art interns and volunteers.
Comments included “Love it,” “Looks cool,” “Great job, guys,” and “It looks so much better than what was there before.” Some mural visitors also remarked on the importance of RedCan to the community as a whole, commenting, “We want more walls painted.”
“We estimate that we have produced more than 100 murals since we started RedCan in 2015, many of which are still with us today,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “It’s been a powerful experience, filling our community with transformative public art — art that continues to celebrate our Lakota language, stories and culture long after the artists have gone home.
“People definitely have their favorites,” she continued. “There is always some sadness when an old mural is buffed to prepare for something new, but that sadness is mixed with anticipation, because people can’t wait to see what comes next.”
She observed that CRYP receives a lot of comments about the “Greetings from Eagle Butte” mural in town, created by Minneapolis-based artists Biafra and Wundr in 2018. The dynamic piece has a nostalgic feel, along the lines of a mid-20th century postcard.
“People are always asking us to please preserve that one, because they love it so much,” Garreau said. “They’re proud of it — and, by extension, proud of our community. That means everything to us, because it shows that RedCan does uplift our community. It’s part of who we are now.”
CRYP also announced that 562 youth attended arts and crafts activities during the four days of RedCan. Saturday was by far the most popular day, with 259 children making spin art, magic spinners, graffiti stencils, frozen T-shirts, water rings, “calm down” jars and sock puppets; they also painted skateboards and worked on their own creations in the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park.
“Friday and Saturday are always fun days, because our featured artists are painting in the art park alongside our teens and younger children,” said Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs director. “On Friday, they also were painting alongside a very special guest.”
That day, CRYP was proud to welcome Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, NEA chair. During her visit, the chair enjoyed a tour of the Eagle Butte mural sites, a private viewing of CRYP’s award-winning documentary “Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count),” and a painting session in the art park.
On Friday and Saturday evening, CRYP hosted free community dinners in the art park. Volunteers from the University of Missouri-St. Louis hosted the first meal, with CRYP staff hosting the second.
“We served meals to more than 600 people during those two evenings,” Widow reported. “Those are the largest numbers we’ve ever seen in the history of RedCan.”
After the meals, attendees watched live performances on the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park stage. The Wake Singers, an Oglala Lakota rock band comprising cousins Douglas, Michael and Reed Two Bulls, took the stage on Friday night. Crow Creek Dakota rap artist, producer and sound designer Bazille performed on Saturday evening, followed by acclaimed hoop dancers The Sampson Brothers.
As always, the Cheyenne River-based Wakinyan Maza drum group opened and closed each day of RedCan with a prayer, smudging and drum song for all who wished to participate.
To view the “Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count)” documentary and CRYP’s recent mini-documentary “RedCan: Changing the Narrative,” visit vimeo.com/lakotayouth.
To learn more about this year’s RedCan artists and performers, visit www.lakotayouth.org/redcan.
Each day at RedCan 2023 began and ended with smudging, a drum song, a blessing — and occasionally a round dance.
Courtesy photo.
Youth enjoyed painting in the art park on Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, 2023.
Courtesy photo.
Young people in the art park at sunset (mural by Hoka).
Courtesy photo.
Biafra’s unique mural in the public Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park.
Courtesy photo.
Youth enjoyed painting in the art park on Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, 2023.
Courtesy photo.
Lakota exhibition dancers performed in the art park on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Courtesy photo.
Lakota exhibition dancers performed in the art park on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Courtesy photo.
“Oyate,” a large-scale mural by Biafra, Wundr and Cyfi.
Courtesy photo.
Art instruction also was an important part of RedCan 2023.
Courtesy photo.
Art instruction also was an important part of RedCan 2023.
Courtesy photo.
The Wake Singers.
Courtesy photo.
Bazille.
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The Sampson Brothers (pictured here: Lumhe Sampson).
Courtesy photo.
Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, NEA Chair (center, wearing red), enjoyed some painting time in the art park on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Courtesy photo.
2023’s featured RedCan artists with Executive Director Julie Garreau in the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park.
Courtesy photo.
JULY 7, 2023:
The 10 guest artists at the Cheyenne River Youth Project’s 9th annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam were expected to complete their large-scale murals in the city of Eagle Butte yesterday (July 6, 2023), supported by volunteer assistants and local youth artists. While they paint, volunteers from Ursuline College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis will be hosting arts and crafts activities for youth ages 4-12 at two select community sites.
This morning, the action will shift to CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park for the final two days of the four-day, award-winning event. In addition to mural painting and youth art activities, the schedule on Friday and Saturday also includes art classes with RedCan guest instructors, traditional Lakota dancing, hoop dancing classes, games, community meals, and live music and performances.
RedCan 2023 Schedule:
Friday, July 7: Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park, CRYP Campus
(Google Maps/GPS: 101 East Lincoln Street)
11 a.m.: Cloud dough and sidewalk chalk
11 a.m.: Lakota Dance Exhibition
2 p.m.: Field Day games, friendship bracelets
3 p.m.: Skateboard painting with Biafra and Wundr, spray painting with 179, earring making with Reed Two Bulls
6 p.m.: “Build Your Own Fiesta Bowl/Burrito” — community meal hosted by USML volunteer group
7 p.m.: Live music! Lakota rock band The Wake Singers on the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park stage
Saturday, July 8: Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park, CRYP Campus
11 a.m.: Design Your Own Superhero: mask, cape, bookmark; “Calm Down” jars
2 p.m.: Slime-making
2 p.m.: Hoop-dancing workshop with The Sampson Brothers
3 p.m.: Skateboard painting with Biafra and Wundr, spray painting with 179, earring making with Reed Two Bulls
4 p.m.: Water Field Day: capture the waterfall (flag), water target practice, frozen T-shirts, water slide kickball
6 p.m.: Community dinner hosted by CRYP staff
7 p.m.: Live performances from Lakota rap artist Bazille and acclaimed hoop dancers The Sampson Brothers on the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park stage
The Cheyenne River-based Wakinyan Maza drum group will open and close each day of RedCan with a prayer, smudging and drum song at CRYP’s Čhokáta Wičhóni (Center of Life) teen center for all who wish to participate.
To view the “RedCan: Changing the Narrative” short film, visit CRYP on Vimeo at vimeo.com/lakotayouth (
To learn more about this year’s RedCan artists and performers, and to make a tax-deductible contribution to support RedCan 2023, visit www.lakotayouth.org/
Courtesy photo.
JULY 5, 2023:
The 9th annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam is just one week away, and CRYP staff and volunteers are preparing to welcome artists, performers and guests to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation for four days of art, culture and connection. The first and only event of its kind in Indian Country, the award-winning RedCan event is this week (July 5-8, 2023), and is free and open to the public.
This year’s featured artists are East, Cyfi, Hoka, Biafra, Wundr, 179, Lawst, Lucious, Rezmo, TamiJoy, Yukue, and Desi Mundo. During the four painting days, each artist will work closely with a CRYP Lakota Art Fellow or teen intern, giving the community’s young people valuable opportunities to learn new skills, practice new techniques, and connect with Native and non-Native artists from around the country.
The action begins on July 5-6, when the 12 artists will be painting large-scale murals at select sites across the city of Eagle Butte — transformative public art that will bring Lakota stories, language and values to life. While the featured artists paint in the community, volunteers from Ursuline College and the University of Missouri-St. Louis will be offering youth activities at Dairy Queen, 24325 U.S. Hwy 212, and at the apartment complex on Main Street between H and G streets, where last year’s “Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ” RedCan mural is located.
On Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, all the action will be centered in the Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park. In addition to the mural painting and youth art activities, the schedule in the art park also includes traditional Lakota dancing, hoop dancing classes, games, and refreshments.
CRYP will close each of these painting days with a free community meal and special live performances. The Wake Singers, an Olgala Lakota rock band comprising cousins Douglas, Michael and Reed Two Bulls, will take the Waniyetu Wowapi stage on Friday.
Cheyenne River Lakota and Crow Creek Dakota rap artist, producer and sound designer Bazille will perform Saturday evening. Afterward, CRYP will welcome renowned Mvskoke Creek/Seneca hoop dancers The Sampson Brothers for the final performance of RedCan 2023.
RedCan 2023 Schedule:
July 5
11 a.m.: Animal magnets and take-home trivets at Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ apartments
2 p.m. Beaded bracelets and washer necklaces at Dairy Queen
July 6
11 a.m.: Watercolor silhouettes, watercolor string art, watercolor with crayon at Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ apartments
2 p.m.: Spin art and summer spinners at Dairy Queen
July 7
11 a.m.: Cloud dough and galaxy jars
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lakota Dance Exhibition
6 p.m.: “Build Your Own Fiesta Bowl or Burrito” — community meal hosted by USML volunteer group
7 p.m.: Live performance from the Wake Singers
July 8
11 a.m.: Design your own superhero: mask, cape, bookmark; sock animals
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lakota Dance Exhibition
2 p.m.: Make your own slime, “Calm Down” jars
2 p.m.: Hoop-dancing workshop
4 p.m.: Water Field Day: capture the waterfall (flag), water target practice, frozen T-shirts, water slide kickball
6 p.m.: Community meal hosted by Wokicik’u Catering, a Rosebud Indian Reservation-based business owned by Franky Young.
7 p.m.: Live performances from Bazille and the Sampson Bros.
As always, the Cheyenne River-based Wakinyan Maza drum group will open and close each day of RedCan with a prayer, smudging and drum song at CRYP’s Čhokáta Wičhóni (Center of Life) teen center for all who wish to participate.
To view the new “RedCan: Changing the Narrative” short film, visit CRYP on Vimeo at vimeo.com/lakotayouth (direct link: https://vimeo.com/793015587).
To learn more about this year’s RedCan artists and performers, and to make a tax-deductible contribution to support RedCan 2023, visit www.lakotayouth.org/redcan.
And to learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
MAY 29, 2023:
In less than two months, the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation will be ground zero for the 9th annual RedCan invitational graffiti jam, the first and only event of its kind in Indian Country. RedCan is scheduled for July 5-8, 2023, and is open to the public.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project announced the names of the 12 featured artists who will paint murals around the Eagle Butte community on July 5-6 and in CRYP’s public Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park on July 7-8. The grassroots, Native- and woman-led nonprofit organization also unveiled a short film about the RedCan project titled “Changing the Narrative.”
“Five of our 2022 featured artists were Native women, and all five are returning this year,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “We are excited to amplify their voices, perspectives and gifts through this little film, just as we are honored to welcome them back to Cheyenne River for four more days of creation, connection, cultural exchange, and the healing, transformative power of art.”
Those artists are 179, Lucious, Rezmo, TamiJoy and Yukue. Also part of the Redcan 2023 lineup are East, Cyfi, Hoka, Biafra, Wundr, Lawst and Desi Mundo.
During the four painting days, each artist will work closely with a CRYP Lakota Art Fellow or teen intern. These young Lakota art students will be able to learn new skills and practice new techniques as they assist the artists.
“This mentorship is a vital part of RedCan,” Garreau explained. “Not only does it bring Native and non-Native artists from across the country to our homelands, giving our community members a priceless opportunity to engage with the largest art movement in the history of humankind, it also gives our young people opportunities to explore their identities, share their voices and stories, and grow as artists.”
“I’m excited that even more teens are interested in participating in RedCan this year,” said Wakinyan Chief, CRYP’s art manager. “One of our programs assistant trainees completed several teen internships with us, and he’s heading into his third RedCan. Every couple of weeks, he tells me how much he’s looking forward to this summer’s event.”
Most of the featured artists have participated in multiple RedCans, as well; in fact, some have participated since the inaugural event in 2015. According to Garreau, that has deepened the RedCan experience in ways that she and her staff couldn’t have anticipated in the beginning.
“We’ve seen lifelong friendships develop, and the artists often refer to RedCan as a family,” she said. “That is profoundly moving to all of us at CRYP, because relationships lie at the heart of everything we do. And as we strengthen the bonds between us, we also see beautiful collaborative work develop — particularly between our guest artists, local Cheyenne River artists, and our young art students. It’s such an honor to witness this unfold year after year.”
While the artists paint in the community, CRYP and its volunteers will host youth arts, crafts and recreational activities at dedicated community sites. Then, when the artists move to the art park, the action moves with them.
“In the past, our two days in the art park have included DJ music, Lakota exhibition dancing, field day games, arts activities, hoop-dancing classes, and so much more,” said Jerica Widow, CRYP’s programs director. “It’s a joy to see the kids learning and having fun while family members and guests stroll through the park, enjoy the music and dancing, and watch the artists work.”
Community members also frequently gather at the mural sites in town, and not just the new ones. Garreau noted that, last year, CRYP staff witnessed people stopping at the older murals as well and discussing the details of the artwork with their companions.
“Our community really has embraced RedCan,” she reflected. “Throughout each year, as we drive or walk around town, we see all of this art — literally hundreds of murals since RedCan began — that uplifts us and reflects who we are as Lakota people. It is really powerful.
“For me, it’s a centering point,” she continued. “That’s so important, because the work we do here can be really challenging.”
On Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, CRYP will close each painting day in the art park with a free community meal and special performance on the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park stage. Cheyenne River Lakota and Crow Creek Dakota rap artist, producer and sound designer Bazille will perform Friday night.
The Wake Singers, an Olgala Lakota rock band comprising cousins Douglas, Michael and Reed Two Bulls, will take the stage on Saturday. And, as always, the Cheyenne River-based Wakinyan Maza drum group will open and close each day of RedCan with a prayer, smudging and drum song for all who wish to participate.
CRYP will share more specific details about this year’s youth activities, community meals, and special performances in June. In the meantime, to view the new “Changing the Narrative” short film, visit CRYP on Vimeo at vimeo.com/lakotayouth (direct link: https://vimeo.com/793015587).
To learn more about this year’s RedCan artists and performers, and to make a tax-deductible contribution to support RedCan 2023, visit www.lakotayouth.org/redcan. All proceeds will be used to purchase paint, artist supplies, food and beverages, and to help cover the artists’ travel expenses.
And to learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit www.lakotayouth.org.
In 2022, acclaimed hoop dancers The Sampson Brothers performed on RedCan’s final evening.
Photo credit Cheyenne River Youth Project.
Featured artists paint at mural sites in the community for RedCan’s first two days, then paint in the art park during the event’s final two days.
Photo credit Cheyenne River Youth Project.
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