Book Review

Book Creates Desire to See Exhibit Opening Today in Washington

A Song for the Horse Nation:
Horses in Native American Culture
Edited by George P. Horse Capture & Emil Her Many Horses
Fulcrum Press | 96 pp | $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-55591-112-6

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Join the Discussion of this Book »

“out of the earth
I sing for them
a Horse Nation
I sing for them
Out of the earth
I sing for them
the animals
I sing for them”

Sung by Lone Man, Teton Sioux

"sky dogs."

Today, "A Song for the Horse Nation" opens at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. The exhibition originally opened in New York City in November 2009. "A Song for the Horse Nation" exhibit will remain at the Mall Museum until January 7, 2013.

An excellent accompanying resource for the exhibition is the book that allows the visitors to leave with the spirit of exhibit itself. The book entitled "A Song for the Horse Nation: Horses of Native American Cultures" contains short essays of American Indians relationship to the animal that some referred to as "sky dogs."

The book contains black and white photographs with American Indians on horses; drawings and paintings of horses on leather garments, such as leggings and coats; and bead work. All of the photos subtly depict the appreciation Indians had of horses.

The narratives, edited by George P. Horse Capture, A'aninin, the museum's senior counselor to the director emeritus and museum curator Emil Her Many Horses, Oglala Lakota offer essays, songs, and poetry that provide different perspectives on the relationship between American Indians and horses. The poetry presented in the book is by Sherman Alexie, Spokane/Coeur d'Alene, and Linda Hogan, Chickasaw.

"A Song for the Horse Nation: Horses of Native American Cultures" will not disappoint those who appreciate American Indian museum collections.

One week ago, I was in Washington at the Mall Museum. Unfortunately, I was there one week too early. After reading the book and seeing the museum pieces of the exhibition in print, I cannot wait to get back to the museum to see the real thing.

A book signing of "A Song for the Horse Nation: Horses of Native American Cultures" will be held Sunday at 2 pm outside the museum's Rasmuson Theater with the book's editors. Additionally, S.D. Nelson, Lakota/Standing Rock Sioux, will also be signing copies of his children's books, including his latest title, "Black Elk's Vision: A Lakota Story."

posted October 29, 2011 11:10 am edt