Making Medicine: St. David Pendleton Oakerhater, egg tempera on masonite , 10"x9.5"

Originally named Making Medicine, St. David Pendelton Oakerhater was a Cheyenne deacon at the Whirlwind Mission in western Oklahoma, who was canonized in the Episcopal church. He was a Cheyenne warrior who was held prisoner at Fort Marion in Florida where he began his prolific art career. He converted to Christianity and assumed the name David Pendelton from his mentor of that name. "Oakerhater" is an Anglicized corruption of his Cheyenne name. Oakerhater ministered to the Cheyenne at some of the hardest times in their history. His signature glyph portrays a man in a sun dance lodge – Oakerhater himself was a sundancer, illustrating the compatibility of traditional Native spirituality and Episcopalian Christianity. The Whirlwind Mission is still active today and St. Paul's Cathedral in Oklahoma City has dedicated a chapel and an annual celebration to the memory of Oakerhater.