By L. Boykin, Gateway to Sedona

The Turquoise Tortoise Gallery will feature the beautiful and intriguing artwork of Stan Natchez.  Mr. Natchez paints colorful histories and stories of Native  American life. According to the article:

"Wedding Scene" by Stan Natchez

“The artist’s intent in general is to document, literally and figuratively, the homeland of Native Americans versus today’s modern world….The Wedding Scene,is arguably the artist’s most complex work currently on exhibit at the gallery: [in this] painting Natchez begins with a photographic print of a 1680’s map of the Americas, its center replaced with a map of Native America circa the 1860s – both maps found in London by the artist; Natchez then paints over this a meticulously traditional Plains Indian wedding scene backed by gold leaf.”

For more information about Mr. Natchez, and his work read the article, and visit Turquoise Tortoise Gallery.

We wish to thank those of you who have been sending your thoughtful comments.  Keep sharing!

Tags: Artist, Stan Natchez, Turquoise Tortoise Gallery

Indian Country Today-Staff

Pictured is Tony Duncan, an American Indian who knows about winning. He has won four championships in Hoop Dancing as a teenager. Recently, he won his first adult championship at the 21st Annual Heard Museum Hoop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. Four of his brothers also participated in the competition.

Champion Hoop Dancer Tony Duncan-ICT

“The hoop dance is a singularly stunning pow wow event and dance competition, with the performers flipping hoops from the ground onto their ankles, legs, arms and the rest of the body, creating shapes with the spinning hoops. “Hoop dancing incorporates speed and agility as dancers maneuver their bodies through one to more than 50 hoops. Dancers also integrate creative designs and difficult manipulations of the hoops to present a unique variation of the dance…”

An exciting article about a beautiful art!

Tags: Hoop Dance

We here at Talking Feather have the pleasure of presenting   artist,  and  author Austen Brauker, a member of the Ottawa Indian Tribe located in Manistee, Michigan, and a very accomplished and multi-talented  individual! Austen attended Central Michigan University (CMU) and he has won numerous art awards. Austen describes himself and his accomplishments in the following:

Stained Glass Eagle by Austen Brauker

“My name is Austen Brauker and  I am a member of the Ottawa tribe from Manistee, Michigan. I recently won Best Horror Script at the Love Unlimited International Film Festival, and have received positive script coverage from Coverage Ink and Creative World. I have several scripts already written and several in process, as well as two fiction novels, one of which has been self-published. I also write monthly articles for a local newspaper.  Two of my theatrical plays have been produced at a local college, and my screenplay “White Buffalo” has been picked up by a film production company for development (Wild Horse Films).

Madonna and Child 1 by Austen Brauker

I am also an accomplished visual artist (winner of several national contests including the NCAI Indian Congress art for 2011) and a musician  (Four original CD’s of home studio produced music) and have much work posted online at different art, music and writing sites,  and also art in numerous galleries and murals painted in several public locations.  I play and write both traditional and contemporary musical forms.

Three Bison 1 by Austen Brauker

I hunt elk, bear, deer and spear salmon, and have worked as the herd manager of a large buffalo preserve. I attended CMU for psychology and West Shore for criminal justice. I write federal grants and small business proposals and have owned several art related businesses.

I currently work as a Peacemaker/Probation Officer for the tribal court of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. I live in Onekama, Michigan and I am married to my beautiful wife, Victoria.

Sophie Oct 2010 072 by Austen Brauker

Austen has also contributed two wonderful stories: Coming Clean and Dreaming Bodies

We appreciate Austen’s contributions to Talking Feather, and encourage everyone to enjoy his art, read his stories, and definitely visit his website to learn more about his positive work. Kudos to Austen Brauker for being a positive role-model!

Visit Austen Brauker’s website.  Please note that all art and stories belong to Mr. Brauker. Interested parties may contact Austen: abrauker@lrboi.com

See the  New Additions: Talking Feather Art Gallery!

Tags: Austen Brauker, Stained Glass, Talking Feather, Talking Stick

By ICTMN Staff,  Origins of the Grass Dance

Grass Dancer- Smithsonian

It’s the season for pow-wows, which means great food, music, colorful regalia, and various tribal dances. This article discusses the dispute surrounding the origins of one particular American Indian dance known as the Grass Dance. It seems that everyone is in agreement as to where  the dance began, (the northern plains tribes) however, that’s about all people seem to agree upon.

“…the dance’s northern roots are acknowledged, but the dance is now considered largely intertribal. Ironically, grass dance owes its longevity and thorough dissem-ination in part to a modernization of ceremonies prompted by early 20th-century oppression. In an attempt to stabilize during a period of rapid cultural conversions by the United States government, it became important to both preserve and spread dances—including the merging of many tribal dances that formed what we now know as grass dance—to preserve indigenous unity… The regalia honors the role of grass in the warrior’s life…But it’s not only the province of warriors: Women have danced it on occasion. There are 19th-century photographs of women grass dancing, and in the 1970s—a heyday of women’s rights and native consciousness—women participated, wearing men’s regalia. Today, this has died down and it is considered a men’s dance…” Wanbli Charging Eagle Lakota Sioux and Ojibwe states, “The most important thing with grass dancing is respect. Respect the ones that came before you, the ones that actually paved the way for all us grass dancers.”

An interesting article! Read it and share your thoughts with us.

Tags: Grass Dance, pow-wow, Talking Feather, Talking Stick

By P. Simek, FrontRow Magazine

Horse Mask (1880s) Plains, Prairie, and Plateau

A beautiful presentation of American Indian Art will be exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art on April 24, and will highlight an exceptional variety of Indian art. The exhibit is courtesy of the  Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art.

Eugene and Clare Thaw are art collectors who acquired these works from Native people over the years.There are colorful, ancient masks worn by horses from the Plains Indians, sculptural arts of the Pacific Northwest, basketry from the  Tribes of California, and the dazzling styles of the Eastern Woodlands Indians.

“…What is fascinating about this period of Native American craft is that it represents a rapid transition in the nature of traditional craft-making, a lightning-fast emergence of both artist and art work into a modern understanding of artistic objects… But there are also many objects of unknown origin in the exhibition which predate this craftsman to artist transition. One such piece is a feast bowl from the Northeast woodlands… There is an unspoken power to this piece, a seriousness to its religious symbolism that offers a glimpse into a mysterious spirituality…”

Horse Mask: On the Plains and perhaps also the Plateau, where this mask was made, horses wore masks and other elaborate regalia during prewar processions. After the end of warfare in the 1880s, horse masks were worn for celebrations and parades.

A well-written article, and if you get the opportunity, visit this wondrous collection!

Tags: American Indian Art, Talking Feather, Talking Stick, Thaw Museum

The Colbert Report  Video

I came across this video by accident this morning, and decided to share it with Talking-Feather readers. Although it’s an old one, it’s one that shouldn’t be missed.

It is a conversation (of sorts)  between the famous (adored) political satirist/comedian/ writer  Stephen Colbert and the equally famous (adored) American Indian author/political satirist/comedian Alexie Sherman.

Caution: You (Indians and non-Indians) must have a sense of humor to understand and appreciate  this exchange of wits between these two wonderful men.

In one word: Priceless!             Also, see  ESL Voices: Listening with Colbert.

Tags: Alexie Sherman, Humor, Stephen Colbert

PRWeb

Noted  American Indian designer Ken Rhyne is a member of the Tuscarora tribe. He is also a member  of the Urban Design Group, and  will be a guest speaker at a special luncheon  taking place at Friends of Braselton-West Jackson Library.   Rhyne has been an advocate for Indian issues for many years. He likes to talk to people about American Indian history, and  he knows how to explain the more complex issues concerning Native Indians. This is also a  special event because  Rhyne was one of the principle designers of the library back  in 2006.    It’s always good to read about successful Native Indians because they are an inspiration to Native students everywhere!

Tags: design, Rhyne, Tuscarora

By J. Dobrzynski,  New York Times

February 3, 2011

Tags: Denver Art Museum, Kwakiutl, New York Times, Peabody Essex Museum, Willie Seaweed

Since November is election time, we’d like to acknowledge Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell, who served in the United States Senate from 1993-2005 and in the U.S. House from 1987-1993. Senator Campbell is one of 44 Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.  Campbell  was the third American Indian to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the second Native Indian to serve in the U.S. Senate. The first American Indian to serve  was Charles Curtis.

During his time in office, Campbell was noted for his candidness.

One memorable Campbell quote:

“A lot of senators are so worried about convention and how they look that they wouldn’t let their hair down if they had any.”

In addition to politics Campbell is a noted designer of American Indian jewlery, and has won over 200 prizes in competitions. He has been praised as being among the best of the country’s artist.

Tags: Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell, Charles Curtis, election, House of Representatives, U. S. Senate

Dana Attocknie, Native American Times

Alonzo Moss Sr. age 72, is an amazing man. He’s a linguist and an accomplished musician. His favorite singer is Johnny Cash. Alonzo was born on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fort Washakie, Wyo. He then married, made a family, worked several different labor jobs, including a tree feller. In 1970 Alonzo completed his G.E.D., and took a job as teacher’s assistant for Wyoming Indian Schools. Later he began teaching Arapaho language At Wyoming Indian High School.

After teaching there for 20 years, Alonzo Moss Sr. taught the language at at Central Wyoming College, Wind River Tribal College, the University of Colorado – Boulder and the University of Wyoming. 
Because of his hard work, and dedication to teaching, Alonzo Moss Sr. will be honored as the 2010 Indian of the Year for the 79th American Indian Exposition during a reception at the First United Methodist Church of Anadarko.

L. Wabaunasee, the American Indian Exposition president stated,

“He’s really comical. He really impresses people, the way he talks … he just kind of fits in with the crowd. He wasn’t standing high… (and) He likes Johnny Cash.

Moss told the crowd,

“their native language is their identity, it’s who they are..a person’s identity is not defined by having a tribal car tag or anything of the like.
The only thing that’s going to make me Arapaho is if I speak Arapaho,”

A wonderful story about an unusual man. Every one should read it and share their opinion.

Tags: 2010 79th American Indian Exposition Award, Alonzo Moss Sr., Arapaho language, linguist, musician