Sitting Bull in Space

[Diane Merkel]

Need a unique Christmas gift?

This is an auction for one of a kind Native American Shield titled "Sitting Bull To Earth", which traveled 3.6 million miles aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor to the Mir Space Station. The size of the shield is 16.5" in diameter. It is graciously preserved in 27" X 35" x 2" mahogany frame.

The artwork depicts the event of March 23, 1997, when Guy Reddoor Reddies was commissioned by NASA to create a historic artwork to represent Native American Art. Guy Reddoor Reddies (Hunkpapa: Hunter Falcon), is a direct descendent of Chief Sitting Bull, a Native American medicine man and leader of the Hunkpapa Sioux who led 1,200 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors against the US 7th Cavalry under George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876.

The shield shows Sitting Bull and Hunter Falcon charging out of space. The Hale-Bopp Comet and the full lunar eclipse on the shield represent the time when NASA commissioned the project. There are five horse hair attached to the shield signifying speed. The Turkey feather is a symbol of flying out of space. The shield is covered with old dark blue Indian Trade Cloth on the top.

Together with this artwork, we will include several newspaper articles and three framed certificates / memorabilias:

* Certificate presented to Hunkpapa Tribe Lakota Indian Nation from National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the crew of the Endeavour, STS-89. This certificate is signed by Joe Edwards, the pilot of STS-89.
* Original handwritten note from Joe Edwards telling the journey of the shield orbited the earth 138 times.
* The letter from NASA for the exhibition of the artwork at Johnson Space Center at Houston.

This artwork definitely has a historic and sentimental value for many collectors of Native American Art. It is one of few artworks ever traveled out of space, not mentioning the only Native American Art with such a unique experience. It is also a symbol of Native American involvement in the technology progression of this great nation.

Item No. 120014595324: tinyurl.com/el7dc