Journey Of Cultural Legacy

Ben.d.sherman@gmail.com

Wiċaḣp̄e Ṫo Wiċaṡa (Blue Star Man)

Wiċaḣp̄e Ṫo Wiċaṡa (Blue Star Man) is a tribute to my father, Gerald, capturing the moment of his naming ceremony as he stands before a blue eight-pointed star, honoring his strength and significance to our family Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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Journey of Cultural Legacy

Through this project, I am dedicated to preserving and sharing the ancestral stories of my family. By exploring the world and immersing myself in diverse cultures, I have come to understand the significance of embracing the richness of my own heritage - Zuya Ohitik̄a Wićaśa

Daisy

"Daisy" honors my 2nd great-grandmother Daisy ‘Lizzie’ Glode, a survivor of the Carlisle Indian Boarding School, and her resilience, represented by daisies growing around her and the loss of her son, Mark, who passed away while running away from another Indian Boarding school in Pine Ridge. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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Buffalo Soldier

"Buffalo Soldier" honors the life and legacy of my 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson “TJ” Sheppard, a likely Civil War veteran and member of the 10th Cavalry, who later settled on the Cheyenne River Reservation and embraced his Indigenous ties. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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Ben.d.sherman@gmail.com

RESILIENCE

"Resilience" is a tribute to my aunts and uncles, symbolizing their journeys, milestones, and the resilience they've shown growing up on the Pine Ridge Reservation and the things they have accomplished in life. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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REMEMBRANCE

GENERATIONS

"Generations" symbolizes the growth of the Sherman Tiospaye (family), with the Lakota Medicine Wheel at its center representing ancestors, while feathers expanding outward reflect current and future generations forging their own paths. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

Journey of Cultural Legacy

"Remembrance" symbolize the missing children of Indian Boarding Schools, honoring their memories and the resilience of Native families. The Ledger is Dated "October" which is the month that my great great Uncle passed away running away from one of these boarding schools. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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Ben.d.sherman@gmail.com

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Meadowlark by Alice Sherman

TIOSPAYE

Crazy Quilting

Journey of Cultural Legacy

Crazy Quilting honors the story of my Aunt Mayda, whose earliest memories are of my great-grandmother and her friends sewing quilts while speaking Lakota. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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A Meadowlark sings beneath a large sun, inspired by a poem from my grandmother Alice Sherman. The Ledger is dated May, which is the month she was born. Colored Pencil and pen on 1890s Ledger paper

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Tiospaye is a collage on 1890s ledger paper depicting the impact of colonization in South Dakota, layered with family member definitions and emphasizing the enduring significance of extended family in Lakota culture Archival black-and-white photographs, printed text, and dimensional cut paper on 1890s ledger paper, with ink

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Artist STatement

Hau mit̄ak̄uyep̄i. Zuya Ohitik̄a Wiċaṡa emac̄iyap̄elo nahaƞiyuha ċaƞt̄e waṡt̄eya nap̄e ċiyuzaṗelo. Hello my relatives. My name is Ben Sherman (Man Who Journeys with Courage), and I shake your hands with a good feeling in my heart. This project was made possible through a grant from the Sinew Fund, provided by Racing Magpie in Rapid City, SD. I embarked on this journey as a way to connect with my family and learn more about my Indigenous history. Over the past year, this process has been deeply emotional—uncovering our shared history, grieving the loss of loved ones, and witnessing the resilience of our family and our people. While this project cannot fully capture the entirety of my family's story, I hope it offers a glimpse into the lessons I've gathered. Though this chapter is complete, my journey of learning continues. Zuya Ohitik̄a Wiċaṡa Ben Sherman Ben.d.sherman@gmail.com

Poem by Alice Martha Sherman Hello Meadowlark, It's good to see you again. I don't know why you pick this same spot to sit every morning but I'm glad you do. I can't hear you through this big window but I see your head and tail bob up and down so I know you are singing. When the weather is warmer I can leave the door open then I can hear your cheerful notes. I'm looking forward to it so keep singing, little bird, please keep on singing and may God bless your efforts to make us happy. There's a tiny deer looking ever the pole fence. He is so pretty with his big ears akimbo and his great soft dark eyes and his little questioning face. "Are you going to like me? Will you let me stay or must I run away? I seem to be running all the time. Why is someone or something always chasing me?"

This piece represents the countless Native children who attended Indian Boarding Schools across the US and Canada, many of whom never returned home. The orange diamonds (feathers) symbolize the lives lost and the resilience of those who endured. My great great uncle, Mark Sherman, tragically lost his life while trying to run away from an Indian Boarding School, a fate that mirrored the experiences of many children in these institutions. Through this work, I honor his memory and the untold stories of those who suffered under a system designed to erase Indigenous culture. It stands as a reminder of both the trauma endured and the enduring strength of Native communities

"Buffalo Soldier" is a tribute to my 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson “TJ” Sheppard, who was born around 1844 in Jackson, Georgia, and served with the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) during the post-Civil War era. Wounded by an arrow in battle, TJ eventually settled on the Cheyenne River Reservation, where he married Máni Akíčhita Walking Soldier, a Lakota woman from the Crow Creek Reservation. The artwork combines a crest symbolizing the 10th Cavalry with Native-inspired elements, including a headdress and buffalo, representing his life’s journey. The crest is topped by the flag of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, celebrating both his military service and his connection to his adopted Lakota family.

"Tiospaye captures the essence of extended family in Lakota culture through a powerful collage set against the backdrop of 1890s ledger paper. The collage features six black-and-white photos of South Dakota, portraying the harsh realities of colonization, from the transformation of the Black Hills into Mount Rushmore, to cattle and covered wagons crossing the Cheyenne River, the tragedy of the Wounded Knee Massacre, and the flooding of land by a dam in Pierre, South Dakota. These images tell the story of what the Lakota people have endured to be where they are today. Amidst these historical photos are cut-out definitions of family members, placed over the imagery, symbolizing the resilience of Lakota kinship. The large word "TIOSPAYE" boldly overlays the entire piece, reminding us of the strength and continuity of extended family despite the painful history of colonization. The work serves as a testament to the endurance of family ties that hold the community together through times of profound change and challenge."

"Generations" symbolizes the growth of the Sherman Tiospaye (extended family), with the Lakota Medicine Wheel (created from feathers representing ancestors) and the four directions: Yellow (East, Wiyóhiŋyaŋpata) signifying wisdom, understanding, and new beginnings; White (South, Itókaǧata) representing warmth, growth, and life; Black (West, Wiyóȟpeyata) embodying the end of life, water, and the Thunderbird; and Red (North, Wazíyata) symbolizing cold, hardship, and cleansing. The feathers expanding outward reflect current and future generations, each forging their own paths while rooted in the wisdom and strength of their ancestors.

"Crazy Quilting" draws on my Aunt Mayda’s vivid recollection of sitting on the floor as a child, playing while watching her grandmother and friends sew together intricate quilts. The room was filled with the sound of their hands working and the soft cadence of Lakota, a language they continued to speak despite the pressures of forced assimilation. Though Aunt Mayda couldn’t understand their words at the time, it was one of her earliest memories. The piece honors their quiet resilience, stitched into every thread and spoken in every word.

"Daisy's Strength" is a heartfelt tribute to my 2nd great-grandmother, Daisy ‘Lizzie’ Glode, who survived the traumatic experience of the Carlisle Indian Boarding School in Pennsylvania. The artwork is inspired by a photograph of Daisy, with her enrollment information at the bottom and daisies growing all around her—symbolizing not only her name but also the life and resilience she maintained despite her hardships. The piece also touches on a deep personal loss, honoring her son Mark, who passed away at the age of 17 while running away from another Indian Boarding School in Pine Ridge. The word "Daisy" is highlighted in the ledger art, further emphasizing her enduring strength.

This piece, Wicahpe To Wicasa (Blue Star Man), honors my father, Gerald Sherman, and the moment of his naming ceremony. The star behind him reflects his name, Wicahpe To Wicasa, and serves as a reminder of the connection between his spirit and the creator. Through this piece, I aim to honor not only legacy, but also the deep role he plays within our family, as a guide and a source of love and wisdom."

"Resilience" honors the lives and achievements of my aunts and uncles. Gerald (father), Marilyn, Mayda, Amy, Richard, Mark, Marlon, and Ben. Each symbolized by a feather representing their individual journeys and milestones. Hoof prints encircle the piece, reflecting the paths they’ve traveled, while a tipi at the center represents their shared home. Lightning embodies the power, strength, and resilience they gained from growing up on the reservation. Their accomplishments endure, with their deep connection to family remaining at the heart of their story.