Buffalo Path, The Gathering

- a tribute to family, community and culture

The Lake Agassiz Arts Council has launched "Herd About the Prairie", an arts stampede featuring 50-plus life-size bison replicas that will each be assigned to a regional artist, where they will undergo a transformation from rosin statue to public art. The "herd" of bison will be on display throughout the region all summer long and auctioned off in the fall.

West Acres Mall was the host to one of the statues and artists. Renowned artist Monte Yellow Bird, also known as Black Pinto Horse, created "Buffalo Path, the Gathering", a tribute to family, community and culture, in the JCPenney wing of West Acres, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 2pm-6pm February 18 through March 16th, 2006. The completed buffalo is in the Herberger's Court of the West Acres mall. To find out more about the project and follow the heard, go to their website.

"We're only on this earth for such a short time, if you're going to shine, shine brightly." - Monte Yellow Bird

To see airing dates for the Herd About the Prairie Documentary go to: Prairie Public Television To see more of Black Pinto Horse painting Buffalo Path the Gathering see below .	Hope Deutcher of Prairie Public Television has been involved behind the scenes to help make this project successful and enjoyable for viewers like you.
Black Pinto Horse Fine Arts standing with good friends Martha Olsen, the Director of Lake Agassiz Arts Council and Mike Olsen, the Marketing Manager for the council.	The auction was a successful event and many came to see and bid on their favorite bison.

Opening Ceremony was February 18, 2006 at 11:00

February 18 Opening Ceremony	February 18 Monte Yellow Bird hits the Marquis lights	February 18 West Acres Sign for Opening Ceremony	Loren Yellowbird Interpreter, Three Tribes
February 18 Breathtaking voices harmonizing the "Chief Mountain" song.	February 18 Martha Olsen introduces the Lake Agassiz Arts Council, Herd about the Prairie Project and artist Black Pinto Horse.	February 18 Artist Black Pinto Horse shares his understanding of gifts and introduces the ideas for the project.	February 18 Opening Ceremony
February 18 Erin Wood shares the success of the "Spirit of the Painted Pony" project on behalf of Lake Region State college.	February 18 Sherri Ouellette interpretting the "Morning Prayer" in American Sign Language.	February 18 Julius Holy Bear, president of the Native American Club at LRSC shares his thoughts on the success of the project- the joining together of two communities.	February 18 Ojibwa singers warming up their Chief Mountain voices.
February 18 Base coat paining at the Opening Ceremony - white for purity.	February 18 Children help with the base coat paining at the Opening Ceremony	February 18 2 special helpers.	February 18 Base coat paining at the Opening Ceremony
February 18 Husband and wife team ready to begin.	Let's hope this buffalo doesn't kick	No airbrush, just fan brush and oil paint.	Black Pinto Horse takes a break to sign a print.
Buffalo Path in progress.	The forming of the foundation.	Five feathers representing the 5 Nations present at the opening- Ojibwa, Arikara, Hidatsa, Mandan, amd Dakota.	Much more to come and that includes bright colors!
74 yr old Marathon Runner Emmett Eastman with Monte and Emily Yellowbird	Canadian Visitor with Monte "Black Pinto Horse" Yellowbird	Closing Ceremony March 19 Martha Olsen and Black Pinto Horse	Martha Olsen of Lake Agassiz Arts Council, Brad Schlossman, CEO of West Acres, and Monte and Emily Yellowbird
Closing Ceremony March 19 Martha Olsen's Mark of Ownership	Closing Ceremony March 19 Brad Schlossman's Mark of Ownership	Closing Ceremony March 19 Right Side of Buffalo	Closing Ceremony March 19 Left Side of Buffalo

To see the Program of the Opening Ceremony
at West Acres Mall in Fargo ND, click here.