Gray Hawk's Legacy is the second bronze in Dave McGary's series, the Gray Hawk Trilogy. The series began with the Bounty of Gray Hawk depicting this renowned Lakota Sioux warrior displaying his riches after the raid that earned him his name, "Rides Among Them."

Gray Hawk's Legacy captures the moment at which the legendary Sioux warrior realizes that he has escaped with his stolen bounty, including a dozen Crow warhorses. More importantly, he has returned

safely to his 12-year-old son who anxiously witnessed the race to freedom. At that instant, Gray Hawk raises a beautifully decorated buffalo robe above his head in triumph, flaunting his achievement to the Crow braves who stop their pursuit. Surrounded by the prized horses, Gray Hawk is later renamed "Rides Among Them" by the Lakota storyteller who recounts the victory tale to tribal members.

Dave McGary first heard the account of Gray Hawk from his friend, Daniel Longsoldier. As the story unfolds, Gray Hawk and his young

son ride to a bluff overlooking a nearby Crow encampment. The youngster stays behind with their extra horse as Gray Hawk quietly descends toward the camp on horseback. He is surprised to find that the Crow warriors have just returned from a raid of their own and left their horses, still adorned in elaborate war regalia, tied up outside of their lodges. As Gray Hawk releases the horses and leads them off, the Crow hear the hoof beats of the rustled herd and quickly follow.

What ensues is a thundering chase across a broad, seemingly endless valley stretching for miles. With his son watching, Gray Hawk continues to lose ground to his would-be captors as he desperately heads toward the bluff. When he spots his son on the crest above, he charges uphill in a burst of speed and jumps on the fresh mount. Gray Hawk grabs the Chief's buffalo robe from the back of a stolen horse and waves it at the Crow to signal his success. The enemy warriors acknowledge their defeat by saluting Gray Hawk for his courage.

The Sioux and the Crow had been enemies for years. The Crow originally were part of the Hidatsa Nations from the headwater region of the Missouri River. The tribe split when the introduction of the horse made buffalo hunting easier. Part of the tribe continued as farmers,while the other group moved west to the plains to hunt. The hunters took the name "Absaroka," which means "bird people." Since black was their most sacred color, the Europeans called them "the Crow."

Moving onto the plains brought the Crow into direct conflict with the Sioux and Blackfoot people already living there. Adding to the animosity, the Sioux and Blackfeet also coveted the work of the Crow women who were the finest at tanning buffalo hides and decorating clothing and other items. The women used human and animal hair, hide, fur strips, quills and even grasses, flowers and plants to create items not only useful, but also beautiful in their intricacy and design. Later, when beads, cloth, yarn and ribbons became available, they also were used. The Crow became the most desirable tribe to raid for these

In Gray Hawk's Legacy, the fleeing warrior clutches the magnificent war record buffalo rolbe of the Crow cheif overhead as he herds two of the captured horses and straddles the third at the rear. Two of the mounts boast lavish Crow regalia consisting of delicately beaded martingales, and a beaded bridle.

Gray Hawk himself wears a traditional war shirt, two-toned in blues and greens. Around his neck his bear claw necklace taken from the Crow attests to their superb craftsmanship. He also grasps

perfectly crafted items sought by all the people of the plains.

Also contributing to the mutual hatred, the Crow were resented for being the first group to make peace with teh Europeans entering the region. They traded and served as guides for the fur traders and as scouts for the calvary. They helped track Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce and fought against Crazy Horse of the Sioux.

a stolen gunstock war club with an iron trade blade mounted on the end in the same hand holiding the robe. Through trier trade, the Crow were the first to obtain these valuable blades. Decorated with brass tacks, the war club is cut out at the head for both decoration and ease in handling. Gray Hawk's face is painted to depict his many accomplishments.

Masterwork Bronze with Patina and Paint,
Edition of 40, Year Cast 2001