Through the vibrant application of paint and use of First Nation icons, I pay tribute to this significant time in our lives; a spiritual gateway from childhood to adulthood- blue symbolizes holiness and orange, the beginning and ending of the sacred transitions of life. 

Male Side: Young First Nation men are also instructed by elders to understand their place in society.  The four horse tracks symbolize the warrior’s footsteps towards greater responsibility and a Tree of Life denotes the past, present and future generations that are present during this ceremony.

* Significance of the horse to Black Pinto Horse, Monte Yellow Bird, artist, storyteller and educator,
“The horse was a blessing and a gift to the First Nation peoples.  In the Arikara language there is no specific word for horse; the combination of the words “holy” or “sacred” and “dog” make up the word for Horse, “Holy Dog”.  As a horseman, I have always had a close connection with the Sacred Dog, the carrier of my prayers to Creator and I sign my paintings using the name I have been given through ceremony, Black Pinto Horse.”