Walter’s Art Quest began Dec. 29, 1990, on the 100th anniversary of the Massacre at Wounded Knee 1890. The sculptures of the hundreds of Native American men, woman and children slaughtered that Christmas season in 1890. It is a way of making peace within himself. He says:
Grandfather Joseph taught us that when one has a polarity of emotions the relief comes from taking a prayerful physical action. Once that is started you are catapulted into the Spiritual purpose of the polarity and directed into the center of the Medicine Wheel to a place of Transformational Potential.
Thus Walter began his healing, that has transformed himself and emotional healing to others.
What happened at Wounded Knee was a dark moment in the Soul of America. “Manifest Destiny” was America’s justification to dominate and capture territory and all its natural resources. Truth is, there was tons of Gold on their Reservation in those Black Hills and some white men wanted to take it. The Government Policy was to wipe out the Buffalo and other wild game to starve the Indians into submission. We “Humans” are the only species that keeps another species from eating.
Some facts many Americans don’t know is that the 7th Calvary who had Bigfoot’s tribe captured at Wounded Knee was the remnants of Custer’s 7th Calvary who attacked the Indians and was then killed at Little Bighorn. Also the Indians at Wounded Knee where on their own land allotted in the 1868 Treaty. Bigfoot’s band was protecting his people and escaped 14 days earlier from a Northern reservation after Sitting Bull was assassinated. Back then the Indians where not allowed to travel freely to other visit other areas (divide and concur US policy). Scared they where on their way to Pine Ridge to meet with Red Cloud; who had negotiated better relations with the US Government through his victories and political skills. Bigfoot and his Band were disarmed 3 times, even the sewing awls were confiscated from the women. The Army set up on the high ground with Hotchkiss 3.2 cannons zeroed in on both Men’s camp and the separate Women and Children’s camp. The evening before, a merchant wagon delivered supplies including a barrel of whiskey to the 7tjh Calvary soldiers. The next Morning a loud crack sound was heard and the order was give to start what became a Massacre. Did you know 36 Medals of Honor where given to the soldiers for this hour of onslaught?
Each sculptures carries a representations of those killed. Walt says he will continue to sculpt these spirits as long as he is guided: “I just work here, I’m not in charge,” in fact he never sculpted before this Quest began.” He goes on to explain:
When one goes on a Vision Quest to listen for a calling he/she sits for days with no food or water praying for a vision, a mission or a healing. A person would go in a humble way alone to lament and be with the Great Mystery for days and nights. Once the person takes the pledge and begins physical action i.e., ties prayer flags to send his voice above, in that moment, Spiritual Reconciliation, the Quest begins to carry him. Far as I know the record for Vision Quest is 40 days and 40 nights, by a Jewish Carpenter.
He continues,
Same thing for a Art Quest. An artist pledges to Spirit and hangs his/her prayer flags, thus begins the journey of mental, emotional and physical actions necessary of the artists’ medium. The artist then moves into a place of Transformational Potential (some call zero point) and is carried by Spirit along the journey of creation. This Joint Venture with Spirit may have trials, tribulations, visions, mental and emotional upheavals, insights, mistakes, peace and bliss. Animals, people, dreams and all creation will bring you gifts of encouragement and test along the way. The artist job is to pay attention to the signs along the trail of the quest and to offer it all up to Spirit.
Vision: “I would love to see the day (should they choose) when the 7th generation descendants of the 7th Calvary and the 7th generation descendants of the survivors of Wounded Knee meet on the hill at Wounded Knee for a healing Ceremony and offer up to the Great Mystery those Medals of Honor”.
Walt Stewart’s Art Quest continues today.
NOTE: These Sculptures are not for sale. They are available as a group installation experience the Healing of that Holocaust.
