Paul Owns the Sabre, Untitled (Risling Family)

Paul Owns the Sabre grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. His natural artistic talent allows him to visually interpret the stories, dreams, and songs of the Native peoples he has come to know. Owns the Sabre is a long distance runner and walker and in 1978, he participated in the Longest Walk, a journey across North America which starts in San Francisco and ends in Washington, DC, in an effort to confirm Indigenous solidarity. He has taken part in nine other sacred long distance runs and walks across the world to raise awareness and address the rights and concerns of Indigenous peoples. Recently, he has shown his support for young Native peoples in the 2008 Longest Walk. Owns the Sabre has been active in the Native community as a drug and alcohol youth counselor.