“Piegan Blackfeet – July 27, 1806” by Richard Vernon Greeves captures a rare moment of tension, identity, and cultural presence through the poised stillness of two young Piegan Blackfeet figures. Standing shoulder to shoulder, one grips a ceremonial pipe while the other surveys the distance—both are rendered with expressive detail, quiet defiance, and a subtle narrative of trust withheld.

The date marks a turning point in American frontier history: the fatal encounter between members of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the Blackfeet—the only recorded violent clash during their journey. Greeves, however, reframes this moment not as conflict but as presence: these men are not defined by the outcome, but by who they were before it.

From the finely detailed beadwork and hair to the grounding of their stance, this sculpture tells a fuller story—of warriors, not enemies; of guardians, not footnotes. It speaks to the complexity of first contact, sovereignty, and the cost of being misunderstood.

A bold and essential work for collections centered on Indigenous perspective, American exploration, or masterful bronze artistry with depth and conscience.