This project was made possible by a grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, partnering with the Friends of Scherr Howe organization, based in Mobridge, South Dakota.
circa 1954; Oscar Howe works on scale drawings for murals
(Copyright unknown, Original in Archives and Special Collections, University of South Dakota, image 869)
Born May 13th, 1915, Howe grew up among his Yanktonai Dakota Sioux people and spoke the Dakota language fluently. His tribe, the Crow Creek Sioux, are originally from present day Shakopee, Minnesota. While not part of the Minnesota Uprising, they were forcibly relocated to South Dakota in the event’s aftermath.
Crow Creek Agency; photo credit: South Dakota Historical Society
Beginning at a young age, Howe drew creatively from memories of his youth and from the oral history of his family. As his artwork matured, a distinct Dakota theme emerged, highlighting the beauty of his ancestors and their Native culture.
The ten Mobridge murals are some of his earliest works. Made possible by WPA funding and done under the direction of his mentor, Andre Boratko, in the midst of World War II (1941-1942), these murals depict Dakota life at contact and interactions with settlers. Howe, a member of the U.S. military himself, was given a 12-day furlough to complete the murals before being sent into active duty. Upon his return, his career as an artist flourished. He is now one of the most popular and well-known Native American artists in U.S. History.
circa 1978, Mobridge SD
(Oscar Howe Receives Distinguished Service Award for Mobridge Murals, with Joseph Cash (left) and Charles Lein (right). Copyright – University of South Dakota, Archives and Special Collections)
Click on the audio clip below to hear a personal interview with Oscar Howe himself, reminiscing about his life experiences and artistic inspiration.
(Copyright – University of South Dakota, Oral History Collections, Archives and Special Collections, item AIRP 1044)
Oscar Howe Tour 