'We are each other's medicine'

THERMOPOLIS – "I've been carving since I was 8 years old," says Rodney Skenandore, pulling a pair of twin, pearl-handled pocketknives from his jeans pocket. "After all this time, it's just a habit now."

The 77-year-old native artist, a great-grandson of Shenandoah and born on the Crow Agency in Montana, finds inspiration for his metal and woodwork in the world around him, drawing on his travels and adventures, the people he's met, the spiritual journeys he's taken, and the mysteries of nature.

"Up until now, there have been no verbal explanations for nature," explains Skenandore. "All around us is art. Eight billion people on the earth and it's all art, but I'm always amused that there's not more."

Skenandore's renderings, whether on paper, cut from hard wood, or cast in silver, represent the wildlife and development of human life, in many forms. "These creatures have always been a part of my life, and at some point it becomes time to express what you know," says Skenandore. "It may be too late, you never know."

A survivor of Vietnam, nine children and 11 heart attacks, Skenandore has logged a uniquely American collection of experiences along the way. Invested in politics and activism in the 1970s, Skenandore was one of many occupiers of Wounded Knee with the American Indian Movement.

"I was flying into Wounded Knee to drop off some supplies for the boys [Russell Means, Dennis Banks and others] when somebody started shooting at the plane. I was like 'man, are those bees?'" and the pilot told me no, those were bullets," laughed Skenandore. "I dropped off the stuff and got back on the plane and got out of there. I told the other guys, 'I came here to live, not die, man'."

As an artist and activist, Skenandore has had the opportunity to meet influences as broad as the Dhali Llama and Bob Dylan. One of his pieces of art is permanently on display at the White House.

"People are people and I tell people I'm just an Indian," laughed Skenandore, "but really all is sacred and what we all have to do is spread the word and share the dignity."

While inspired by nature and animals, a primary focus of Skenandore's art depicts the role of the female in society. "We have to indulge the woman, as they are the other half," noted Skenandore. "For so long we never let them speak, but it's time they get their place."

Growing up on the reservation, and spending ample time in the wild, Skenandore's art also depicts the beauty of all beasts. Featured prominently are bears and lions, horses and wolves.

"I grew up with horses you know, and if you ever get lost, they will show you the way back home. Cows are cool, too," laughed Skenandore, "they might not take you home, but they'll take you somewhere."

Rodney Skenandore's art will be on display today at the Crow Bar, inside Nature's Corner Health Foods in Thermopolis as part of the Still Strolling event. The artist will be available to explain his work and sign limited edition posters.