2005 January/February

ON THE COVER:

This spectacular dancer, Susan Armijo (Mexica), a member of the Aztec-styled dance and music troupe America Indigena, led by flautist Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, enthralled audiences last March at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market and will return for this year’s event. Photo by Hilary Wallace Brelsford.

FEATURES

4 Master Painters

We survey the rapidly evolving field of Native American fine art painting with a look at the lives and work of Michael Kabotie (Hopi), Mateo Romero (Cochiti Pueblo), Norma Howard (Choctaw) and Mario Martinez (Yaqui). By Gregory Schaaf (Cherokee).

Celebrating Past, Present and Future: The Heard Museum at 75
A look inside the Heard Museum of Phoenix as it sails through its 75th year as one of the nation’s premier institutions devoted to preserving and promoting Native art and culture. By Carol Osman Brown. Photography by Craig Smith.

75 Years of Reinventing Ourselves
A conversation with Heard Museum Director Frank Goodyear. By Gary Avey.

The Miniature World of Dollmaker Jamie Okuma
We visit with extraordinary dollmaker Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock/Okinawan-Hawaiian), whose string of major Native art awards is unprecedented. By Debra Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).

New Faces

Experience the art and inspiration of four artists emerging on the national Native art scene: jeweler Liz Wallace (Navajo/Washoe/Maidu), dollmaker Rhonda Holy Bear (Lakota), silver box artisan and jeweler Jared Chavez (San Felipe Pueblo) and katsina carver Donald Sockyma (Hopi). Plus details on the March 2005 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. By Gussie Fauntleroy.

Hoop! Dancing Within the Circle of Life
Step lively as we profile World Hoop Dance Champion Daniel Tramper (Eastern Cherokee), take a historic look back at this novel event and preview the upcoming February championship contest. By Patty Talahongva (Hopi).

DEPARTMENTS

Letters
We hear from readers about the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian, our story on U.S. postage stamps featuring Native subjects, the first all-Native pro sports franchise, and our interpretation of the name of the late, great Seneca leader Ely Parker.

On the Wind
The grand opening ceremonies of the National Museum of the American Indian. Plus, 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
We head down to Florida gator territory with stops at the 7th annual Kissimmee Slough Shootout and Rendezvous on the Big Cypress Reservation and the 34th annual Seminole Tribal Fair in Hollywood. Plus details on other special events of Native interest across North America. By Daniel Gibson.

Spirit of the Harvest
As the frigid fingers of winter tighten their grip, it’s time to settle down with some comfort food—lima bean soup and gabubu bread—based on recipes handed down from “Princess Blue Waters,” a.k.a. Rose Nelson (Lakota), one of Buffalo Bill Cody’s famed trick riders. By Beverly Cox and Martin Jacobs.

Galleries
We drop into the Valley of the Sun in Scottsdale, Arizona for a shot of winter warmth and the dazzling art of the famed Lovena Ohl/Waddell Gallery. Also, brief looks at other Native-oriented galleries throughout the continent. By Russ Tall Chief (Osage).

Museums
Staying in the Valley of the Sun, we explore the unique and colorful Bead Museum of Glendale, Arizona. Also, previews of other shows at major museums coast to coast. By Wendy Weston (Diné).

Books
Winter is a great time to delve into cookbooks, as we do here with a look at Foods of the Americas: Native Recipes and Traditions by Fernando and Marlene Divina (Chippewa/Cree/Assiniboine). Also a quick read of the children’s book Red Is Beautiful (Chiih Nizhoni), by Roberta John (Navajo) with illustrations by Jason David (Navajo). Also, other recently published books of interest. By Deborah Utacia Krol (Salinan/Esselen).

Music
Tchiya Amet (Cherokee/Blackfeet/African American) and her Lighthouse Band spark up a room with their special blend of reggae, rock, Latin and Native music. We also take a listen to the new compilation release Music from Turtle Island: Heart of Nations and a handful of other notable new recordings. By j. poet.

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