Tapun Sa Win

The Tapun Sa Win (taw-poon sha ween) narrative is organized around a story about a beautiful young Lakota woman (Tapun Sa Win, or Red Cheek Woman) who married a star and went to live with him in the sky.  Near the due date for the birth of her baby, she inadvertently created a hole in the sky through which she could see her relatives on earth.  This made her lonesome so she braided a rope to descend to earth. But the rope is too short and she falls and dies, but her son is miraculously born and survives.  He is found and raised by Lakotas, who name him Wichapi Hinhpaya (we-chagh-pe heen-ghpa-ya), Fallen Star.

The exhibit divides the Tapun Sa Win narrative into seven passages which are interpreted by four types of artworks by contemporary Lakota artists: a two-dimensional artwork, a three-dimensional artwork, a poem, and a song.  The exhibit includes 28 new works by Lakota artists from across the United States.

This educational exhibit is developed and curated by Craig Howe, Director of the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS).