Maka Oniye Recycled Canvas Tote Bag, Artwork by Jim Yellowhawk
$24.99
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
16 by 16 inch recycled cotton canvas tote. Printed edge to edge, on both sides, with “Maka Oniye (Breathing Earth),” the artwork Lakota artist Jim Yellowhawk created for Wind Cave. The original hangs in the park’s visitor center, and a portion of every bag sold goes to the Black Hills Native Artist Fund.
- 100% recycled cotton canvas with natural woven handles and an expandable bottom
- 16″ x 16″, sized for groceries, books, or a day’s gear
- Artwork by Jim Yellowhawk, enrolled member of the Itazipco (Sans Arc) band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- A portion of each purchase supports Native American artists in the Black Hills
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Maka Oniye Recycled Canvas Tote Bag, Artwork by Jim Yellowhawk
$24.99
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
16 by 16 inch recycled cotton canvas tote. Printed edge to edge, on both sides, with “Maka Oniye (Breathing Earth),” the artwork Lakota artist Jim Yellowhawk created for Wind Cave. The original hangs in the park’s visitor center, and a portion of every bag sold goes to the Black Hills Native Artist Fund.
- 100% recycled cotton canvas with natural woven handles and an expandable bottom
- 16″ x 16″, sized for groceries, books, or a day’s gear
- Artwork by Jim Yellowhawk, enrolled member of the Itazipco (Sans Arc) band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- A portion of each purchase supports Native American artists in the Black Hills
- Proceeds support Wind Cave National Park and other BHPFA partner parks and forests
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
What is this bag?
A canvas tote carrying a full-panel print of Maka Oniye (Breathing Earth), the artwork Lakota artist Jim Yellowhawk created for Wind Cave. The original mixed media piece has hung inside the Wind Cave National Park visitor center since 2022, purchased with funding from Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. The bag itself is 100% recycled cotton canvas with natural woven handles and an expandable bottom. The artwork is printed on both sides. McGovern & Company makes it for BHPFA, and outside our park stores, this is the only place to get it.
What the artwork shows
At the center is a dark, star-flecked circle with a small white circle divided into four quarters at its heart. Seven white tipis stand around it, and each tipi carries the name of one of the seven Lakota virtues, lettered in both Lakota and English: compassion, honesty, generosity, humility, wisdom, respect, and prayer. Brown bison move through the dark field between the tipis. Around the circle runs a band of orange and red, with riders on horseback and running bison drawn in the Plains ledger-art style over ruled ledger pages, the old page numbers still showing through the paint. MAKA ONIYE is stenciled across the bottom, the side panels are black canvas, and the same artwork is printed on both sides of the bag.
Yellowhawk has explained that the center of the painting represents the realm where his ancestors, the Pte Oyate or Buffalo Nation, lived and waited while the earth was being prepared. The sparkling background of the centerpiece, he said, depicts the spirit world. The outer circle shows how humans merged and joined the Buffalo Nation on the surface, where, in his words, “we came together as relatives.”
The original at Wind Cave, and the Native Artist Fund
Yellowhawk grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation in west-central South Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Itazipco (Sans Arc) band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. When the original piece was installed at the park in 2022, he said, “Wind Cave is a powerful place for our people and is the location of our origin story. I hope my art can show people that this is a very sacred place and help visitors understand the history of it.” There is more about the installation on our news page.
Yellowhawk has allowed BHPFA to reproduce his artwork on products, and a portion of every sale goes to the Black Hills Native Artist Fund, created in 2024 to support Native American artists in the Black Hills.
Specifications
- Material: 100% recycled cotton canvas
- Size: 16″ x 16″ with an expandable bottom
- Handles: Natural woven cotton
- Print: Digitally printed artwork on both sides, with eco-friendly inks
- Care: Hand wash cold, hang to dry
- Artwork: Maka Oniye by Jim Yellowhawk
- Made for BHPFA by McGovern & Company
Who is this for?
Anyone who stood at the natural entrance and felt the cave breathe, and wants to carry that story home. It works as an everyday market and library bag, and as a gift for someone who cares about Native art. The purchase does something concrete: part of the price goes to the artist fund, and the rest supports the parks.
Frequently asked questions
What does Maka Oniye mean? Maka Oniye translates to “breathing earth” in the Lakota language. It refers to Wind Cave and its natural entrance, where air moves in and out as the barometric pressure changes, and to the cave’s place in the Lakota origin story. It is also the title Yellowhawk gave this artwork.
Who is Jim Yellowhawk? A western South Dakota artist who grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation, an enrolled member of the Itazipco (Sans Arc) band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. His father is a painter and his grandmother was a traditional beadworker. He holds an art degree from Marion College and also studied at the Columbus College of Art & Design. His Lakota name, Tawoihamble Kpago, means “One Who Marks His Dreams.”
Where is the original artwork? On permanent display inside the visitor center at Wind Cave National Park, about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, South Dakota. BHPFA funded the purchase of the piece, and it was installed in September 2022.
What is the Black Hills Native Artist Fund? A fund BHPFA created in 2024. A portion of every Maka Oniye product purchase goes into it to support Native American artists in the Black Hills.
How big is the bag and what is it made of? 16 inches wide by 16 inches tall with an expandable bottom, in 100% recycled cotton canvas with natural woven handles. The artwork is printed on both sides.
How do I wash it? Hand wash in cold water and hang it to dry.
Does buying this support national parks? BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Product family
This is one of four custom canvas bag designs BHPFA makes for its partner sites; the Jewel Cave, Scotts Bluff, and Wind Cave designs are in our park stores. Online, see the Black Hills map canvas tote by Xplorer Maps and the Wind Cave One Park – Two Worlds tee.
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 8 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | Black Hills Parks & Forests Association |
| Material | 100% recycled cotton canvas |
| Dimensions | 16" W x 16" H with expandable bottom |
| Care Instructions | Hand wash cold. Hang to dry. |
Note on International Orders
Some countries charge import duties, VAT, or handling fees on delivery. These are set by your local government and are not included in our checkout total. Customers are responsible for paying any such charges before receiving their package.
