Jim Yellowhawk is a Native American artist and traditional dancer from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota.  He is best known for his innovative mixture of traditional symbols and modern artifacts in a single painting.  He often experiments with collage techniques using tools like bark and neon light.  His uses many circular images in his work in honor of the Native spirituality.  Jim's work is on display Prairie Edge in Rapid City, his home, and in galleries around the country.  When he is not painting, he enjoys dancing, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family.  For biographical information, a video interview, samples of his work and a calendar of his travels, visit his website at www.jimyellowhawk.com.

Jim traveled with his wife Ruth and son Gabriel to the Hau Kola Summer Learning Camp in 2006 where he shared his love of art with the Lakota campers, camp leaders and staff.  He also lead a talking circle where the non-native teens and adults could ask questions and share beliefs.  His quiet manner captivated all those who spent time with him.

Ruth Yellowhawk has been instrumental in designing and leading the Circle of One Book Forum.  Four times a year community groups are encouraged to read a selected book about Native culture and meet to talk respectfully about ideas, themes, feelings and the history they learned from the book  Ruth and the Indigenous Issues Forum author discussion guides for each book.

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