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Print2006 July/August
ON THE COVER
Benjamin Harjo, Jr. (Shawnee/Seminole) has an infectious sense of mirth
and creative energy, which he pours into his award-winning paintings,
both large and small. Photo courtesy Ackerman McQueen.
FEATURES
Splendor in the Glass: Masters of a New Medium
Though Native artisans have not been working in glass for many years,
they are quickly proving to be very adept at this ancient art, as shown
by the careers of Chris Tarpley (Choctaw/Chickasaw/Cherokee), Preston
Singletary (Tlingit), Susan Point (Coast Salish), Tony Jojola (Isleta
Pueblo) and Marvin Oliver (Quinault/Isleta Pueblo). By Russ Tall Chief
(Osage).
Small World: The Art of the Miniature
Some of the Native art world’s most superlative pieces practically
require a magnifying glass to fully appreciate them, as we see in the
work of silver artisan Ira Custer (Navajo), potter Allen Aragon
(Navajo), painter Ben Harjo (Shawnee/Seminole), basket weaver Florence
Manygoats (Navajo), bead artisan Susan Laure Peebles (Red Lake
Chippewa) and basket weaver Everett Pikyavit (Paiute).
By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).
Santa Fe Indian Market: Top of Their Class
Among the more than 1,000 artists at the 2005 Santa Fe Indian Market, a
handful were chosen for special awards—among them sculptor Tony Lee
(Navajo), jeweler Dawn Wallace (Aleut) and katsina carver Aaron
Fredericks (Hopi). We take a look at their lives and work. Plus, a
calendar of the major events of the 2006 Market. By Dottie Indyke.
Deadly Beauty: Traditional Native Weapons
Ancient weapons designed by North American Natives for defense and
hunting extend back into the mists of history, and in today’s light
often embody an odd sense of beauty and “right design.” Many Native
artists are now producing contemporary examples of these deadly tools
as works of art. By Gussie Fauntleroy.
DEPARTMENTS
Viewpoint
The repatriation laws designed to protect and return human remains and
sacred and funerary objects to Indian tribes are basically working as
planned, but some backsliding is occurring with continued resistance to
the concept of American Indians as people, not property. By Suzan Shown
Harjo (Cheyenne & Hodulgee Muscogee).
On the Wind
Plans are proceeding rapidly on an outdoor center in Rapid City, South
Dakota to honor and promote the great Sioux nations. Also, other
important news in the arts, education, the environment, business,
politics, sports, health and other realms of life in Indian Country. By
Daniel Gibson.
Happening
Join us as we hang out this summer among the Chickasaw people in
Oklahoma, who have lined up a slew of exciting events. Plus details on
other special events of Native interest across North America. By Daniel
Gibson.
Pathways
Coast to coast, Indian
tribes now own and operate some of the world’s finest golf courses.
Here’s a close look at 10 of the best, with notes on an additional 17
“links to die for.” By Richard Mahler.
History
Few people are aware that Alcatraz Island, famous for its criminal
prisoners, actually began as a military prison. Among its early
inhabitants were scores of Indians, including a group of Hopis interned
in 1895. By Larry Tritten.
Galleries
The
Windy City has a new, notable art and cultural facility, Trickster
Gallery, run by the American Indian Center of Chicago. Also, brief
looks at other Native-oriented galleries throughout the continent. By
Russ Tall Chief (Osage).
Museums
Preserving, celebrating and expanding the art, history and culture of
New Mexico’s eight northern pueblos is the mission of the Indian-owned
and-operated Poeh Cultural Center and Museum just north of Santa Fe.
Also, notes on other museum exhibitions coast to coast. By Wendy Weston
(Diné).
Books
Explore the concepts of and
specific places where the physical and spiritual realms intersect in
Where the Lightning Strikes: The Lives of American Indian Sacred Places
by Peter Nabokov; and become an expert on the precious blue stone in
The Allure of Turquoise, edited by Arnold Vigil. Plus other recently
published titles of interest. By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).
