<>BUY THIS ISSUE

ON THE COVER
Astronaut John Herrington (Chickasaw)
The first Native American tribal member in space blasts off November 10. And a look at the national organization that has played a pivotal role in their careers-the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Photo courtesy NASA.

FEATURES

Native Scientists Taking Off
A special look at a special class of Native Americans—engineers, astronauts, geologists and others involved in science and technical fields.
A profile of the national organization that has played a pivotal role in their careers: the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. By Daniel Gibson.
Astronaut John Herrington (Chickasaw). By Philip Chien.
Hydrologist and potter Al Qoyawayma (Hopi). By Bruce Hucko.
Engineer Mary Ross (Cherokee). By Laurel Sheppard.

Holiday Memories
Five prominent and talented Native American writers and musicians recall the novel ways that their particular families across America marked the passing of this most holy season. By Joy Harjo (Muskogee), Larry Littlebird (Laguna/Santo Domingo Pueblo), Howard Rainer (Taos Pueblo), Fred Ranco (Penobscot) and Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida). Illustrations by Douglas Miles (San Carlos Apache/Akimel O’odham).

Holiday Gift Guide
We separate the wheat from the chaff in our annual suggestions in pictures and text of outstanding gifts created by Native artists and craftspeople, as well as records, books and other goods.

Native New York
Beneath the gritty veneer of New York City lies the beating heart of its Indian roots. Explore this fascinating and hidden realm, with a focus on the island of Ma-na-hat-tan. By Evan Pritchard (Micmac). Photography By Caryn Davis.

Threads: A Look At Native Textiles
We sample the incredible work being done in weaving, quilting and other textile arts with profiles on Ramona Sakiestewa (Hopi) by Ann Marshall; Margaret Wood (Navajo) and D.Y. Begay (Navajo/Seminole) by Patty Talahongva (Hopi); and a brief look at Morris Muskett (Navajo).

DEPARTMENTS

Letters
Our animated readers discuss the pros and cons of the film Windtalkers and other recent topics covered in the magazine; and point out a few errors.

On the Wind
Important news from the arts, business, environment, education, politics, health and other realms of life in Indian Country. By Daniel Gibson.

Happening
We head to balmy climes in the South and Southwest for a look at the Miccosukee Indian Arts Festival near Miami, Florida, and to the new grounds of the Pueblo Grande Indian Market in Phoenix. Plus, details on other special events of Native interest across North America. By Daniel Gibson.

Spirit of the Harvest
As winter settles in, one craves a hearty, sustaining meal, as delivered in this mouthwatering array of maple-vinegar rack of venison, cranberry-maple sauce and wild rice Johnny cakes. Yum! By Beverly Cox And Martin Jacobs.

Discovering
We return to our brief, informative artist profiles with a snapshot of the extraordinary basket maker Linda Aguilar (Chumash), whose specialty is tiny horsehair works. By Richard A. Payne Wyndot

Focus on Education
World-famous Navajo artist R.C. Gorman creates a new Pendleton Woolen Mills-woven custom blanket to benefit educational efforts by Native Americans. By Suzette Brewer Cherokee.

Galleries
Oklahoma City is now home to the new Cactus Moon Ranch, where you can find an interesting mix of Southwestern Native arts and regional furniture. Also, brief looks at other exhibitions at leading Native arts-oriented galleries throughout North America. By Russ Tall Chief Osage.

Museums
Join us as we visit "Connections Across Generations: The Avery Collection of American Indian Paintings" at Tucson's Arizona State Museum. Also, previews of other exhibitions coast to coast. By Wendy Weston Navajo.

Books
Our book editor takes us back to the heady days when Indians ruled Alcatraz with her review of Heart of the Rock: The Indian Invasion of Alcatraz by Adam Fortunate Eagle (Ojibwe); and to some charming stories of a much earlier and quieter time among various Californian tribes in Rez Dogs Eat Beans and Other Tales by Gordon Johnson (Cahuilla/Cupeno). By Debra Utacia Krol Salinan/Esselen.

Music
Tune into the exciting, moving and unusual music of Rose Moore (Cherokee) and her new CD, Spirit of Silence; as well as quick samples of new work by new sensation Derek Miller (Mohawk) and the irrepressible Arigon Starr (Kickapoo). By j. poet.

BUY THIS ISSUE