Lil Coyote Will Learn a Chief's Song from Strong Eagle

Lil Coyote Will Learn a Chief's Song from Strong Eagle. Mixed media. Ledger tipi and acrylic on watercolor paper.

2003, 30 1/2 x 23.

In this large work of mixed media, Flett has folded a ledger page into Strong Eagle's tipi at near Oyaken Creek. Three "ghost horses are painted on the tipi, which Lil Coyote enters. Written to the right of the balance figures is:

"On a mountain near Oyaken Creek he brings a gift carried in his medicine bag to Yo-Yout Mel Knups (Strong Eagle). Lil Coyote will learn a chief's song."--written on tent above.

Appropriating and reshaping the balance sheet is a way of reducing its power in George Flett's revisionary history. On the other hand, the balance sheet forming Strong Eagle's tent is a sign of the ledger's omnipresence and power. This kind of confrontation is always part of ledger art.

"My hopes are somewhere down the line—whether it be next week or the week after, or 10, 50, a hundred years from now—this will help hang on to some of our traditions or legends of our Spokane tribal people. I believe it is going to work."--George Flett, concluding his narration of the exhibit video.

A historic Spokane "Chief's Song," used on the video, can be downloaded from the Spokane Tribal School website.