About the poet:

LaVerne Whitebear ‘Cante Akicita Win (Warrior Heart Woman), ‘Hinkna Wica Tayuze Wiya (She Holds Her Relatives Close Woman) is Ihanktuwanna Dakota, Wadopana Nakoda and Arikara (Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara Nation of North Dakota). A mother, wife, sister and daughter. LaVerne earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry fom the Institute of American Indian Arts at Santa Fe, NM. During her time at IAIA she was exposed to various art forms that felt like home. Forms such as playwriting, puppetry, slam poetry, philosophy of Indigenous people and drawing have opened gateways into her imagination allowing complete artistic freedom to break through. LaVerne began her obsession for writing in 2016, after having returned to college after 23years in the workforce. It was about that same time she began growing her relationship with Traditional Dakota Quillwork. Traditional Dakota Quillwork would take her on her journey to becoming an Artist In residence ‘22/’23 under the AIR Program through the Minnesota Historical Society. LaVerne is a published author in such publications as The Yellow Medicine Review, Tribal College Journal and New York Historical Society Museum & Library.

 

About the illustrator:

Marlena Myles, a self-taught Spirit Lake Dakota artist in St. Paul, Minnesota, brings Indigenous history, language, and traditions into modern contexts through children’s books, augmented reality, murals, and more. Her notable works include augmented reality public art installations such as the Dakota Spirit Walk, Sacred Hoop Walk and Wodakota Walk. She has exhibited at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and other prestigious galleries, created a Google Doodle, and launched Wíyouŋkihipi Productions to promote Dakota culture. In 2023, she won the Knight Arts + Tech Fellowship, Joyce Award, and created her first documentary, "Realms of Resilience".

Additional information

Weight .1 kg
Dimensions 11 × 19 cm

Wocekiya – Poetry Print (Limited Edition)

Limited Edition Ledger Paper Poetry Prints

These limited edition poetry prints feature original poems from Native Voices of Power, printed on authentic 1878 Sioux County, Iowa ledger paper. Each sheet is unique, carrying the history, texture, and markings of its original use — no two prints are the same.

Details:
• Size: 11 x 18 inches
• Paper: Original 1878 Sioux County, Iowa ledger sheets
• Price: $50 each
• Edition: Limited – sales close January 31, 2026
• Options: Shipping or local pickup available

Each purchase directly supports Native creators:
50% goes to the poet
50% supports Wíyouŋkihipi, a Dakota-led publishing company uplifting Native knowledge keepers and storytellers

Art & design by Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota)

These prints are both artwork and archive — honoring Native voices while giving new life to historical materials. Once this edition closes, it will not be reprinted.

$50.00