Alaina Buffalo Spirit
About the Artist
Alaina Buffalo Spirit is a self-taught artist from the So’taa’ee band of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, whose work honors the women that made a difference in her life. Alaina Buffalo Spirit’s artwork is based on the traditional ledger art, originated by Indian warriors who were incarcerated in the 1800s. Using the materials that were available to them, these warrior artists recorded their powerful stories through images made on the ledger paper issued by the government for tallying and record-keeping. Inspired by these early images which depicted life on the Plains, both before and during times of conflict, Ms. Buffalo Spirit uses ledger paper made during this period in much of her work.
Ms. Buffalo Spirit began her artistic career in 2004 and has participated in the Northern Plains Indian Art Show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Summer Art Market at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana and at Kentucky Crafted, in Louisville, Kentucky. Her work has been featured at the Ancient Traders Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as throughout Montana. In 2008, her work was on display at the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning, Montana and in June of that year was chosen as the cover art for the University of Washington Medical School’s Pediatrics Archives Journal. Most recently, Alaina’s work has been showcased in Kalispell, Montana at the Montana Arts Council Art Showcase.
-Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, 2013