Sioux Indian Museum announces the opening of Essence of the Hills: From the Sandhills to the Black Hills featuring Uriah Little Hoop

June 27, 2025

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA: 

The Sioux Indian Museum, Indian Arts and Craft Board announces the opening of a new exhibit, Essence of the Hills: from the Sandhills to the Black Hills featuring Uriah Little Hoop. The exhibition features paintings, beadwork, traditional regalia, and sculpture that showcase Uriah’s multi-talented artistry, and will run from July 1 through September 25, 2025.

Uriah Little Hoop is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe.  Her heritage also includes Sicangu Lakota and the Navajo (Diné) bands of the Tachiinii and Kiiya’annii.  She earned the name Whirlwind Dancing Woman through ceremony at age 13.  She grew up in the Sandhills of western Nebraska where she attended schools in Alliance.  After high school, she went on to Western Nebraska Community College and Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas.  

Uriah is a multi-talented artist, and this exhibition showcases her paintings, beadwork, traditional regalia, and sculpture.  She utilizes traditional methods with contemporary content.  Raised in a family with many artists, as both a self-taught and a family taught artist, she has received their encouragement in all her artistic endeavors: painting, singing, dancing, public speaking, and sculpting.  She credits her spiritual and cultural inspiration to the traditions and practices that she focuses on each day. 

Uriah lives contently in the area she values: that space encompassing both the Sandhills and the Black Hills.  She stays inspired and loves the many creative outlets into which she immerses herself.  Her engagement in each day is one where she follows her priorities and principles; asserting “I will always strive to honor my family, my cultural traditions and remember to be appreciative and accountable to the artist I am and the continually evolving artist I desire to be.” 

The Sioux Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, is located in The Journey Museum, 222 New York Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.  For admission fees and hours of operation please visit https://www.doi.gov/iacb/our-museums/sioux or call (605) 394-6923.