Iron Bear

Dave first heard the story of Iron Bear from his Lakota friend, Gerald Red Elk. Having distinguished himself in many battles, including Little Big Horn, Iron Bear received his name at the Battle of 29 Crows where he charged into the fray and fought without being wounded. Among the Sioux, bears were revered for their bravery. Prior to battle, the warriors often performed a ceremonial bear hunt where the first one to touch the bear would kill many enemies. Following the hunt, members of the war party ate the bear's meat to boost their own mettle.

True to his name, Iron Bear wears a grizzly bear headdress adorned with three hawk feathers on each side, said to embellish wisdom and sight. Twenty-eight eagle feathers trail down his back. A string of bear claws encircles his neck. On his face, half black and half crimson war paint divides it vertically, giving Iron Bear a particularly fierce appearance, with bear tracks running down and over one eye. The bare-chested fighter stands with his left foot on one of three large boulders.

The red and black paint designates Iron Bear as a member of "Bow Lance," a secret medicine society also called the "Bow String" and "Inverted Warriors." Organized by the Great Prophet, who carried the famous bow-lance following a four-year vision trip to a holy mountain, the society had no chief. Rather, the "Bow Lance" warriors remained independent of each other. But they dressed alike and united for battle. They also were required to be single, as well as solemn, calm, strong, and brave. Because they were regarded as especially pure, their advice and counsel was sought on a wide variety of issues.

The term "Inverted Warriors" came from secret medicine resulting from reversed actions and speech. For example, the braves would command, "Father, you will not come here," when they, in fact, wanted the father to come. Known to fight to the bitter end, the "Bow Strings" would blow their bone whistles and charge their opponent long after warriors of other societies had given up and left the scene.

Each of these highly respected warriors carried a bow-lance eight feet long made from a straight, well-balanced stick shaped flat on the back and round in front. Sage grass was bound around the grip. The twisted buffalo sinew string used for the bow was sometimes up to one-third inch in diameter. Atfirst, the lance head was a sharp flint point about six inches long: later, steel trade points were used. Largely ceremonial, but carried by the warrior at times, the bow-lance never was unstrung nor placed on the ground. When not in use, it might be put in a buckskin bag, hug in a tree, or hidden somewhere known only to the owner. If taken into battle, it was always used as a lance rather than a bow.

Iron Bear's bow-lance is decorated with a scalp lock and eagle feathers given for exceptional acts of bravery in battle. The warrior's personal vision of Bear Medicine, a picture of a merging bear, is painted on his shield decorated with 14 eagle feathers. His knife has a handle crafted from a bear's jaw unique to the society. Iron Bear also carries a sawed-off 1870 Springfield rifle and beaded belt taken from the Crow. Wearing a loincloth, beaded and fringed leggings and beaded moccasins, he has a beaded ammunition bag slung over his shoulder.

Iron Bear's dignified expression and carriage of his body demonstrate the respect he feels for the beauty and grandeur of his natural world. Even more than other tribal members, the "Bow Lance" Society worshipped nature as the creation of the Great Spirit who made the rivers, hills, mountains, heavenly bodies and clouds. Such devout feelings now live only in tribal memory and in stories of the clan elders.

Sizes available:

Masterwork: 42 x 20.5 x 15
Maquette: 27.25 x 13 x 8.5
Bust: 23 x 12.5 x 13

Please contact Meyer-Milagros Gallery for pricing information.