Lakota Leathers was founded in 2008 by Kenny and Phyllis Bohling of Sevierville TN. It all started after hearing Marty Stuarts' song "Three Chiefs" on our local radio station WDVX, in Knoxville TN. The song tells the story of three of the great Lakota Sioux Chiefs of the past. After hearing the song, Kenny purchased the 'Badlands' CD on which the song can be found. The song inspired Kenny & Phyllis to make their first trip to South Dakota with a load of used blankets from local motels to help the impoverished people of the Pine Ridge Indian reservation near Rapid City South Dakota. After seeing first hand the poverty of the reservation, Kenny & Phyllis wanted to do more to help. Realizing that he had owned an American Bison hide banjo strap for over 25 years, Kenny knew that the folks at Pine Ridge could make these fine straps. Years later, Lakota Leathers is now a reality. We employ several families on the reservation. Each Lakota Lethers strap is made by a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe from their home on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The purchase of a Lakota Leathers strap helps a Lakota person and helps fight poverty in the poorest county in the entire United States. Thank you for your support
Lakota Leathers would like to express our gratitude to Saga musical instruments for kindly allowing us to use their fine instruments in creating this website. Saga produces some of the finest instruments money can buy including Kentucky mandolins, Blueridge guitars, Regal resophonic guitars and Gold Star & Flinthill banjos among others. For more information about Saga, please visit their website. www.sagamusic.com
