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ON THE COVER
Native American fashion sheds its modest garments in favor of a dazzling wardrobe of novel apparel, such as this dress in bias-cut silk by Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo). It features Zuni Pueblo dragonfly designs that illustrate how the insect brought rain to the Earth, with the short top representing rain clouds and the tie the falling rain. Model: April Winters (Taos Pueblo/Sioux/Blackfeet). Styling: Gilda Meyer-Niehof. Photo: Daniel Nadelbach.

FEATURES

Special Section: Contemporary Native American Fashion
You’ll have a much greater appreciation for and understanding of the diverse and outstanding clothing being created today by Native fashion designers after viewing this photo section that goes far beyond fur, feathers and fringe. Designers include Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger (Navajo), Tammy Beauvais (Mohawk), Darla Brown (Cheyenne River Sioux), Geraldine Carlos (Pima/Maricopa), Betty David (Spokane), Jeanette Ferrara (Isleta Pueblo) and Nathaniel Funmaker (Ho-Chunk). Compiled by Hilary Wallace and Lynn Francis (Mohawk).

A Tradition of Creativity: 82 Years of Indian Market
In honor of this year’s special salute to Native women artists at the Santa Fe Indian Market, we visit with several generations of women who’ve left their mark on the event. Plus, all the details on this year’s gathering. By RoseMary Diaz (Tewa).

Rodeo! Cowboys in Indian Country
In this historical piece, the author traces the unique, powerful and enduring relationship between Native cultures of North America and the animal that transformed their existence: the horse. By award-winning historian Peter Iverson. Photos by Edward S. Curtis.

Groove to the Turtle Island Beat
Tired of the same old sounds? Then you’ll like this roundup of 10 of North America’s most entertaining Native music festivals, with details on who, what, when, where and how much. By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).

DEPARTMENTS

Letters
Native astronaut John Herrington’s inspiring ascent continues to generate letters, while Brother Dave at the St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota makes a request and a reader educates us on Alaska’s tribal names.

Viewpoint
Satirist Drew Hayden Taylor (Ojibway) pokes fun at the dueling interpretations of what is “Indian” and what is not in this age of politically correct labeling.

On The Wind
The Northwest Indian College’s Web-based Native art market; IAIA campus goes “green”; and Native energy development. Plus, other important news in arts, sports, the environment, business, politics, health and other realms of life in Indian Country. By Daniel Gibson.

Happening
We hear the Cherokees are throwing down their typical massive summer party, complete with midway and blow guns, in Tahlequah. For a more cerebral experience, we join the annual summer Native art camp in Idyllwild, California. Plus, details on other special events of Native interest across North America. By Daniel Gibson.

Spirit of the Harvest
You’ll be “berry berry happy” you’ve found these recipes and stories associated with the sweet, delectable fruits of summer. By Beverly Cox and Martin Jacobs.

Pathways
Via canoe, we journey down the Missouri River in Montana on what starts out as a lazy outing along the route once traversed by Lewis and Clark. By Anne Edinger. Photos by Bleacher/Everard Photography.

Collections
Drop in for a visit at the comfortable home of William and Angela Kennedy in a Seattle suburb and view their dazzling collection of fine Northwest Coast art. By Barry Herem. Photos by Spike Mafford.

Galleries
We mosey into the cool burg of Durango, Colorado to visit Toh-Atin gallery for its summer emphasis on new styles of Navajo weaving. Also, brief looks at other exhibitions at leading Native arts–oriented galleries throughout the continent. By Russ Tall Chief (Osage).

Museums
Under the direction of Jaime Smith (Creek), the Denver Art Museum teams up with IAIA and Native youth in Denver to present a unique exhibition of student work. Also, previews of other shows at major museums coast to coast. By Wendy Weston (Navajo).

Books
Kids will love the style, tone and design of a new series of informative books profiling the various tribes of North America written by Barbara Gray-Kanatiiosh (Akwesasne Mohawk) in the Checkerboard Social Studies Library (Abdo Publishing). We also peruse Native American Collected: The Culture of an Art World (University of N.M. Press) by talented writer Margaret Dubin. By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).

Music
She’s not just a poet, a rapper, a musician, a simple lyricist and a sax player—she’s Super Joy Harjo! We visit with the multi-talented Muskogee Creek artist as she wraps up work on a forthcoming CD, and take a listen to new music by Chester Knight (Cree), Jack Gladstone (Blackfeet), Joseph Firecrow (Northern Cheyenne) and Pima Express.

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