Painting is a way to examine the world in ways denied me by the United States Justice System, a way to travel beyond the walls and bars of the penitentiary.

Through my paints I can be with my people, in touch with my culture, tradition, and spirit. I can watch little children in regalia, dancing and smiling, see my elders in prayer, behold the intense glow of a warriors eye.

As I work the canvas I am a free man. I hope that each day, each time you look at these paintings, you are inspired to partake in the long struggle for human rights of indigenous people, of All people who suffer oppression economically, socially, and spiritually.

Justice is not a flexible tool and unless we all do our part to ensure that justice is applied equally to all human beings, we are party to its abuse. We must stand together to protect the rights of others. No child should go hungry, no woman denied the right to earn a living, no person refused health care or an education, no prisoner held for political reasons.

I thank you for caring. Were it not for the compassionate people, all hope for the future would be lost.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse,

Gwarth-ee-las

Born on the Turtle Mountain Ojibwa Reservation in North Dakota, Leonard has emerged as a master of Indigenous Art. His passionate self-taught portrait style is an outgrowth of drawing and carving lessons he received as a child from tribal elders. Leonard began working with pastels in 1983 proving he had the talent to put what he saw on paper. His spirit began to know a freedom never before experienced. And despite the fact that he is limited by the prison as to the materials available, he has progressed tremendously over the years.

“There is a commissary at Leavenworth Penitentiary where I can purchase limited supplies. They have a very small variety of materials available and most are of poor quality, however, sometimes I can order supplies through art magazines or catalogs - usually prison approval is not given for special orders.”

Leonard’s artwork reflects his beliefs and commitment to Native American culture. He realizes the difficulty his people are having as they try in today’s society to live the way the Great Spirit set forth for them. It is his peoples’ struggle to survive that motivates and inspires him to paint.

In 1986 he had a slight stroke which left him about fifty percent blind in his left eye. “My eye problem has slowed me down considerably, but I am still inspired. Having people buy my artwork and knowing I am able to share my paintings makes me feel real good.”

Today, art by Leonard Peltier helps finance the operation of the Defense Committee. Leonard states, “It’s a way of letting people know that I have not been conquered by the oppressor even though I have spent over 23 years in these iron lodges. It is also a way of saying thank you to the people for their support. It’s a way of letting them know their prayers are strong.”

To own one of Leonard's paintings or lithographs, please contact the LPDC office. All proceeds go to the legal defense fund.

Pokud máte zájem vlastnit některý z Leonardových obrazů nebo litografií, kontaktujte prosím LPDC. Veškeré příjmy z nich jdou do fondu na jeho obhajobu.

PAINTINGS

2001

OBRAZY 

Warrior and Holy Man of the Oglala Lakota Sioux, Black Elk experienced many great visions; the first when he was just nine years old. Like Crazy Horse, a second cousin, Black Elk's visions gave him great power and protected him in battles.



"With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather-with tears running I must say now that the tree has never bloomed. Here at the center of the world where you took me when I was young and showed the goodness and the beauty and the strangeness of the greening earth-you have said that I should make the tree to bloom.


It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds. Hear me not for myself but for my people; I am old. Hear me that they may once more go back into the sacred hoop and find the good red road, the shielding tree!"

Black Elk - Černý Jelen 2001

Černý Jelen (jeho jméno je někdy překládáno jako Černý Los) byl slavným bojovníkem a medicinmanem z kmene Lakota Oglala (Siouxové). Často míval velké vize - poprvé ve věku 9 let. Stejně jako Bláznivému Koni (jeho bratranci) mu dávaly velkou sílu a chránily ho v bojích.

"S tekoucími slzami, ó Velký Duchu, můj Dědečku, s tekoucími slzami teď musím říct, že strom nikdy nerozkvetl. Tady ve středu světa, kam jsi mne zamlada odvedl a ukázal mi dobrotu a krásu a podivnost zelenající se země - řekl jsi, že bych se měl postarat, aby strom rozkvetl.

Možná, že některý kořen posvátného stromu je ještě živý. Postarej se ať mu naroste listí a ať rozkvete a naplní se zpívajícími ptáky. Naslouchej mi - ne kvůli mně samotnému, ale kvůli mému lidu; já jsem již starý muž. Naslouchej mi, ať se můj lid zase vrátí do posvátné obruče a najde tu pravou rudou cestu, strom poskytující stín!"

Offering prayers of thanks to such spirits as Wi, the Sun, and Skan, the Sky was virtually important for survival. Lesser forms included the Winds or four directions, the Moon, Buffalo, Bear, Whirlwind, Thunders, and many others. Lesser spirits could assume any form and could be either animate or inanimate. They were looked upon as Sacred Messengers.

Prayer to the Spirits - Modlitba k duchům 2001

Děkovné modlitby k duchům jako Wi-Slunce a Skan-Nebe byly nutné pro přežití. Za "menší" duchy se považovaly Větry Čtyř stran, Měsíc, Bizon, Medvěd, Hrom a mnoho dalších. Menší duchové na sebe mohly brát libovolnou podobu a mohly být živí či neživí. Hledělo se na ně jako na posvátné posly.

The Sun Dance represents the ultimate sacrifice to the Sacred Powers and demonstrates the dancer's unquestioning faith in his traditional religion.

Ultimate Sacrifice - Nejvyšší oběť 2001

Copyright © Leonard Peltier

Courtesy of LPDC

Sluneční tanec představuje největší oběť posvátným Silám a je důkazem nezlomné víry tanečníka v tradiční indiánské náboženství.