ON THE COVER
David Moses Bridges (Passamaquoddy), in the rear of the canoe, and Cody Brooks (Maliseet), in the bow, paddle Bridge’s handmade birchbark canoe on a tributary of the Wolastaq (The Beautiful River)­—today known as the St. John of Maine. Bridges, who learned his craft from his grandfather and great grandfather, is one of the few people living who can create such magnificent vessels. See related story p. 32. Photo by Darel Gabriel Bridges (Passamaquoddy).

FEATURES

A Passion for Pottery: Jody Naranjo
Potter Jody Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo) has followed her own calling in creating her distinctive incised pottery, an attitude that has brought her fame and honors, including the Best of Show Award at the 2007 Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market. By Gussie Fauntleroy. Photo by Kitty Leaken.

The Nations Gather in Indianapolis
The Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market draws a talented group of artists from across the nation, as seen in the profiles of three of last year’s award-winning artists: beader Katrina Mitten (Miami); jeweler Nelda Schrupp (Pheasant Rump Nakota) and katsina carver Jonathan Day (Hopi). Plus details on the June 2008 event. By Cindy Dashnaw.

RARE and PRIME: Cooking Up Community Connections
Two new programs underway at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis help to nurture the careers and talents of a handful of select Native artists while offering the community at large terrific insights into their work, process and motives. By Julianna Thibodeaux.

All-Time Favorite Native Films
Brief looks at the author’s 15 all-time favorite films with Native themes, from Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner to Windwalker. Plus notes on 11 other notable films and a list of faves selected by the public. By Roscoe Pond (Confederated Tribes of the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla).

DEPARTMENTS

Letters
Readers chime in with comments and additional details on recent articles about Native theater, potlatch, buffalo and other topics.

On The Wind
A group of American Indians travels to southern Africa to meet with their counterparts, and artist Mateo Romero (Cochiti Pueblo) is selected as the signature artist for the 2008 Santa Fe Indian Market. 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
A relatively new event in Santa Fe, Native Treasures, quickly establishes itself as a significant annual arts market. Plus details on other special events of Native interest across North America. By Daniel Gibson.

Spirit of the Harvest
Our food editor shares a delightful breakfast of crepes with berries, homemade muesli and other delicacies in the Montréal home of acclaimed Native filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin (Abenaki). By Beverly Cox and Martin Jacobs.

Pathways
We journey north to the Canadian province of Alberta and the lands of the Siksika Nation, which recently opened a $28 million cultural center, Blackfoot Crossing. By Daniel Gibson; sidebar and photos by Michelle Newman.

History
The inspiring life story of Dr. Lillie Rosa Minoka-Hill (Mohawk), the nation’s second female American Indian doctor, who spent a lifetime serving the Oneida people of Wisconsin. By Betsy Foley.

Galleries
A look at the history and character of the Oneida Sky gallery at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, New York on the Oneida Reservation. Also, brief looks at other Native-oriented galleries throughout the continent. By Russ Tall Chief (Osage).

Appraisal Day
Our well-informed art appraiser provides details on an usual horned toad pendant by Charles Pratt (Cheyenne/Arapaho) and Tuscarora moccasins created at Niagara Falls circa 1900. By Christy Vezolles (Shawnee).

Museums
The lovely Montclair Art Museum in New Jersey houses an important and impressive collection of both historic and contemporary works by Native artists. Also, notes on other museum exhibitions coast to coast. By Wendy Weston (Diné).