Thunder Cheií is featured alone, at age four, in the forest with his bear friend. Thunder is Diné (Navajo) with Mother’s clan being ‘Cliff Dwellers’ and Father’s clan being ‘Mud Clan’. Maternal Grandfather’s clan ‘Nooda’; which is Ute tribe and paternal Grandfather’s clan is ‘Chi’shii’; which is Chiricahua Apache (Apache: `great mountain’). He resides with his family in northern New Mexico.

The bear is a Native American symbol, being free in spirit as the great wind, and grander than its mass. To match that magnitude is the quality of unpredictability in the bear. The bear is a massive animal who forages seemingly peacefully in the woods on berries and bush. Then if provoked in certain ways, the Native Americans witnessed a ferocity expressed from the bear that (understandably) would produce terror. In one way we get a picture of tranquility with the bear, and on the other, it is a symbol for warrior and power. Even tribes inclined towards peace honored the spirit of a warrior, and witnessing the bear seemed to embody that somewhat blind, powerful surge of courage and strength that every warrior wants to tap into. Thunder was given a powerful name at birth. Therefore, it is in his nature to use his voice or make noise to always be heard when in need of something. His little warrior spirit is in connection with his bear cub totem.

  • Original Painting SOLD
  • Limited Edition Giclée Prints – 16 x 20