02/10/2024
Kills Two, Brule Sioux Medicine Man, is painting on a deer hide the “Big Missouri” Winter Count the pictorial record of their tribe from 1876-1926. Photography by John A. Anderson, c. 1923
In the quiet solitude of his tepee, nestled among the rolling hills of the Great Plains, Kills Two, a Brule Sioux medicine man, sat cross-legged on the ground, his steady hand tracing the contours of history upon a stretched deer hide. With each stroke of his brush, he breathed life into the "Big Missouri" Winter Count, the pictorial record of his tribe's journey spanning from 1876 to 1926.
Born of a lineage steeped in tradition and wisdom, Kills Two possessed a deep understanding of his people's heritage and the significance of preserving their story for future generations. As the flickering flames of the fire danced in the darkness, he immersed himself in the task at hand, his mind a conduit for the voices of his ancestors.
With intricate detail and profound reverence, Kills Two painted scenes of triumph and tragedy, of moments that shaped the destiny of the Brule Sioux. He depicted the battles fought and won, the buffalo hunts that sustained their way of life, and the sacred ceremonies that connected them to the spirit world.
But amidst the triumphs, there were also moments of sorrow etched upon the hide. Kills Two solemnly painted the dark days of adversity, the struggles against encroaching settlers and government policies that threatened to extinguish their way of life. Yet, even in the face of such hardship, the spirit of the Brule Sioux remained unbroken, their resilience a testament to their enduring strength.
As the winter count began to take shape, Kills Two felt a sense of fulfillment wash over him. Each stroke of his brush was a tribute to those who had come before him, a homage to their resilience and tenacity in the face of adversity. And as he added the final touches to the last panel, he knew that he had fulfilled his sacred duty as a keeper of his people's history.
In the years to come, the "Big Missouri" Winter Count would serve as a reminder of the trials and triumphs of the Brule Sioux, a testament to their enduring spirit and unwavering determination. And at the center of it all would be Kills Two, the humble medicine man who had dedicated his life to preserving the legacy of his tribe for generations to come.
