It's 93 Miles To Pine Ridge, We Got A Full Tank Of Gas, It's 108 Degrees and We're Wearing Sunglasses - Hit It.

No, it wasn't Jake and Elwood - the Blues Brothers, it was Larry and Roger. Not brothers as in born from the same mother, but brothers nonetheless. Friends who, somewhere along life's highway, became brothers in spirit. The occasion was a road trip to see the 57th annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show. We had planned on attending the opening and artist reception earlier this month, but the timing didn't work out for us. 

It was hot. The temperature peaked at 108 as we crossed the Badlands on the way back.

In spite of the temperature, we managed a couple stops to take in the scenery and relax on a broken down boardwalk in a broken down town.

The show itself was pretty impressive. It was first organized in 1965 with the help of Jesuit Brother C.M. Simon. He founded the Red Cloud Heritage Center in 1982. Brother Simon served the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge for 42 years before his death in 2006. 

My favorites were this one by Roger Boer, Oglala Lakota -

And this creative piece by Ray Janis, also Oglala Lakota, featuring acrylic paint on a 1950s vintage Bingo card. Brilliant. 

We were both very impressed with a photograph titled "Self Portrait" by Keshena One Star, Rosebud Sioux. I couldn't get a quality picture to show here but, trust me, it's worth a visit just to see it. A simple but at the same time a deeply complex and emotional photo.  The exhibit continues through August 10th, and I highly recommend you make time for a road trip to see it.

Any visit to Pine Ridge wouldn't be complete without a stop at Big Bat's, where you'll likely find at least one rez dog hanging out.  

It was a good day.

And, for those of you who don't get the many pop culture references in my stories, the Blues Brothers were popular figures first appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1978, followed up with a movie in 1980.

They were on a mission from God. Maybe that's what actually motivated myself and Larry to make this trip together. It was certainly a major topic of conversation. God, that is. Not the Blues Brothers.

Roger O'Dea     6/21/2025