In a remote house in the northeast corner of Arizona, among the red rocks and vast expanses of the Navajo Nation, you’ll hear a beat so steady it keeps nearly perfect time. Hour after hour, day after day, artist Naiomi Glasses sits on her floor in silence, weaving at her loom. “It’s very meditative,” she said. “And having to do these repetitive motions, you kind of just get into a trance. It really is a great time to just sit and think.”

The 26-year-old thinks about the six generations of family weavers who have come before her, passing down this rich Native American tradition. Now, those designs (which can take months to make and cost thousands) have caught the attention of the fashion world, in particular Ralph Lauren, a brand Glasses always wore as a kid and dreamed of someday working with, but never thought possible. “I definitely dreamt of it while weaving,” she said.

It may seem like an improbable journey for a shy girl from Arizona who was mercilessly bullied as a five-year-old for having a cleft palate. To escape the torment, Glasses found solace on a skateboard. “It’s always been a safe space where I feel like I can be myself, learning how to be even more confident,” she said.

She took that confidence to the loom, first trying her hand at weaving at 16. Her brother, Tyler, showed her their grandmother’s ways. And soon, the siblings started selling their pieces at the local trading post. But their parents encouraged them to think bigger. So, in 2020 they turned to social media. Using the reservation as a set, Tyler posted Naiomi showing off her colorful creations – and those impressive skateboarding skills. 

This video became a worldwide sensation:

“And then suddenly it blew up!” Glasses laughed. “And it traveled everywhere.”

Including, incredibly, to Ralph Lauren, a brand famous for embracing Native American culture. In Glasses, the fashion house serendipitously found a like-minded partner for its first artist-in-residence.

“He has always loved the West,” said Ralph’s son, David Lauren, the fashion house’s chief branding and innovation officer. “He has always gone in search of the art and the culture that Naiomi loves and cherishes as well. And so, the ability to come together to create something, and to be inspired together, is beautiful. And it keeps getting better by the day.”

These days, Glasses is busy launching her new collection, out this month. She calls it a love letter to her people. She’s hoping to promote her culture in other ways, too. The Ralph Lauren ad campaign, filmed at her family’s home in Arizona, created dozens of jobs for local Navajo. “It’s a big moment in Indigenous design history,” she said.

For which she admits a sense of duty: “I feel that it’s important that we’re represented in a beautiful way. And I’m really excited to be able to share these designs with the world.”

She also feels a responsibility to use her newfound fame to raise money for skateparks on her reservation. “Skateboarding did a lot for my own mental health,” Glasses said. “And I feel like it can do so much more for so many other people in their mental health.”

Naiomi Glasses’ late grandmother once told her weaving could create a life for her. She used to sit quietly at the loom and wonder what she meant. Now, she says, she finally understands: “The dreams that I dreamt here at the loom have come true.”

      
For more info:

      
Story produced by Jon Carras. Editor: Lauren Barnello. 

APPLETON

— Artists Kerry Kolke-Bonk and Katia Andreeva spend most of their days in quiet work, dabbling acrylic paints on four-foot by four-foot panels lining the walls of a room inside the

Preserve Appleton Heritage

building.

“We’re just hanging out with our guys,” Andreeva responded, tongue-in-cheek, to one inquiry as to what they were doing.

For several weeks now, their entire focus is on creating

individual portraits of Appleton’s 36 veterans who gave their lives in military service

since World War II.

For the first time last week, they welcomed the public to look at what they’ve accomplished so far.

“Just absolutely wonderful,” was one of the very first comments uttered as visitors arrived for the open house hosted by the artists on Dec. 5.

They are using acrylics to create sepia-tone portraits of each veteran. The intent of the Streets of Honor project is to mount these portraits on a triangle of land alongside Highway 7/59 near the southern entrance to town, which is located just before the community’s Flags of Honor Memorial. The veteran’s name and a short narrative will be included on each panel.

At this point, they are about one-third of the way toward completing the portraits, Andreeva said.

Appleton has been uniquely remembering its veterans since May 22, 1947. That is when the community renamed all of its streets and avenues for the 26 men who were killed in World War II. The number of streets and avenues in the town exactly matched the number of veterans who did not come home.

The number of named streets and avenues has grown to 36 since then due to the loss of native sons in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War conflicts.

The most recent loss was that of Jesse Lhotka. He died at age 24 on Feb. 21, 2005, while serving as a team leader with the 151st Field Artillery Battalion in Baghdad, Iraq.

Andreeva, an experienced portrait artist, has created an image of Lhotka that won her a thumbs up from his family for capturing his image, and especially the smile for which he is so remembered. Thanks to the family, the artist had access to a variety of modern-era photos of the veteran to help her in her work.

For many of the World War II veterans, the artists have only black and white photos of their subjects. Not all of the photos are very sharp, or even in focus.

But thanks to the open house, their inventory of images used for their work will increase.

Gerri Kay Schwendemann and her brother Robert Rooney were among the open house visitors. Their uncle, Robert Rooney, is among those whose portrait will be part of the Streets of Honor project the two artists have undertaken.

Robert Rooney died in combat in North Africa on March 27, 1943, at age 23.

Schwendemann brought family photos of their uncle for the artists. When she learned how important these photos are, she promised to return with photos of some of the other deceased veterans who were peers to her uncle.

The images completed of the veterans at this point offer a sense of the unique personality of each.

Asked if she feels as if she’s come to know the veterans as individuals through this work, Andreeva thought a bit. “I feel quite comfortable to be surrounded by them,” she said.

After some more thought, the artist said: “It’s more like you’re giving them another life, that sort of feeling.”

Kolke-Bonk had come up with the idea for the portraits. She obtained funding from the

Minnesota State Arts Board

to complete 10 portraits. She recruited Andreeva to assist, and contributions have been coming in to make it possible for them to complete all 36 portraits.

Kolke-Bonk hopes the portraits will help people remember those who gave their lives, and realize what was lost. Almost all of these veterans died as young men, most of them ages 20 to 22, she pointed out.

The artists’ goal is to have the portraits completed and installed along the highway into town for a dedication on Memorial Day of 2024.

Glass artwork created by Indigenous artists is on display now through early April at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass comes to Cincinnati from The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It features 120 pieces from 33 artists, showcasing new takes on traditional stories, along with current issues affecting tribal nations.

“It features 29 Native American artists from the United States and Canada, as well as four artists from the Pacific Rim — from New Zealand and from Australia,” explains curator Letitia Chambers, Ed.D. “Adding the Indigenous artists from other countries helped illuminate the story that American Indian artists and other Indigenous artists bring to this new medium of glass art.”

RELATED: Ohio’s Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Chambers uses “new” because the glass art movement on display in the exhibit hasn’t been around all that long. The Native Glass Movement began in the 1970s when, as part of a collaboration, a young glass artist named Dale Chihuly arrived in New Mexico to build a hot shop. Chihuly, of course, is one of the most popular and well-known glass artists in the world, with large-scale blown glass sculptures in museums and spaces across the globe. Chambers says Chihuly’s work in New Mexico inspired generations of Indigenous artists to explore glass as a medium for art.

Preview more work featured in the exhibit in the slideshow below.

“Our mainstream culture tends to think of Indians as a part of the past, partially because of the depiction of Native Americans in movies and other media,” says Chambers. “But in fact, they are very dynamic, exciting cultures, with strong artistic and aesthetic traditions. The glass art presented in Clearly Indigenous shows not only the cultural heritage of the artist, but the extremely effective use of that cultural heritage in creating contemporary fine art. The glass art created by American Indian artists is therefore both a personal expression of the artist, [and] a part of their cultural heritage.”

Dan Friday (Lummi), “Haila” Ho Wan Ut Old Peter (Skokomish/Chehalis), Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Tony Jojola (Isleta Pueblo), Carol Lujan (Diné), Priscilla Cowie (Māori) and Djambawa Marawili (Aboriginal Australian) are among the artists included in the exhibition, according to the museum.

The exhibit opens Friday, Dec. 14 and runs through April 7, 2024.

Prescott, AZ – 12/14/2023

The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe’s Culture Research Department is thrilled to announce the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Holiday Arts & Crafts Market, showcasing the talents of local indigenous artists. The event will take place on Saturday, December 16th, 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm at The Gathering Center located at 530 E Merritt, Prescott, AZ 86301.

The Holiday Arts & Crafts Market promises a vibrant celebration of indigenous culture, featuring a diverse array of handmade crafts, artworks, and traditional items. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore and support the rich heritage of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe while enjoying the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the community.

One of the highlights of the event is the inclusion of delicious frybread that adds a delightful culinary dimension to the celebration. The aroma of freshly prepared frybread will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for visitors.

Event Details:

• Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe Holiday Arts & Crafts Market
• Date: Saturday, December 16th, 2023
• Time: 10 am – 4 pm
• Location: The Gathering Center, Yavapai Prescott Indian Reservation 530 E Merritt Ave, Prescott, AZ 86301

The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe welcomes individuals and families to join in this festive occasion, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for indigenous artistry. For further information or inquiries, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email Address] or [Phone Number].

About Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe: The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe is committed to preserving and promoting its rich cultural heritage. The Culture Research Department plays a crucial role in organizing events that celebrate the tribe’s traditions, bringing the community together to share in the beauty of indigenous art and craftsmanship.

Details

By Kaili Berg

December 13, 2023

 His latest album, “Innocent Allies,” honors his family’s Native American heritage and is inspired by Charles Morion Russell, the famous Western artist who created paintings of cowboys, Native Americans, and landscapes. 

 Morin’s music has reached millions and has performed at the Lincoln Center in New York, The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Vancouver Olympics, and the Paris Jazz Festival in France. He has won multiple Indigenous Music Awards throughout his career, as well as an Independent Music Award. 

 In Morin’s interview with Native News Online, he talks about growing up, what inspired him to create his new album, inspiration for his songs, what is coming up after his new album, and some inspiration for upcoming Indigenous artists. 

 This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

What drew you to the music industry while growing up?
Growing up in Great Falls, Montana, the music around town was largely folk and country. The bands used to play the same room for years every night, where I got to know them and watch them play. That’s how I learned to do things on stage and where I became interested in playing music.

 Can you tell me about your latest album, “Innocent Allies,” released this January?
Years ago, I had this idea of doing a tribute album, and I was really interested in the production of projects from the late 60s to 70s. The Red Headed Stranger album by Willie Nelson was one of my father’s favorites, and I heard it a lot. I was very appreciative of all its elements. Somewhere along the line, we were listening to that album and looking at these coffee table books that my folks left behind after they passed of Charlie Russel Paintings. I knew I could write songs about the paintings because they are so descriptive and vivid. Pretty soon, I had about 15 songs and began to record them. I took them to my friend Trina Shoemaker, and she helped me produce them further, and that’s how it came to be.

#nno-dm-left {
color: #fff;
text-transform: uppercase;
}

#nno-dm-wrapper {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
width: 100%;
max-width: 700px;
height: 200px;
background: rgb(221, 42, 42);
background: -moz-linear-gradient(138deg, rgba(221, 42, 42, 1) 13%, rgba(96, 46, 46, 1) 75%);
background: -webkit-linear-gradient(138deg, rgba(221, 42, 42, 1) 13%, rgba(96, 46, 46, 1) 75%);
background: linear-gradient(138deg, rgba(221, 42, 42, 1) 13%, rgba(96, 46, 46, 1) 75%);
filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=”#dd2a2a”, endColorstr=”#602e2e”, GradientType=1);
}

#nno-dm-left {
font-size: 26px;
font-weight: bold;
max-width: 26%;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
text-shadow: 1px 1px 4px #000000;
}

#nno-dm-right {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
font-size: 22px;
color: #fff;
text-transform: uppercase;
width: 100%;
font-weight: bold;
text-shadow: 1px 1px 4px #000000;
}

#nno-dm-btn-group {
width: 80%;
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
margin: 10px;
}

.nno-dm-box {
margin: 25px;
}

.nno-dm-btn {
margin: 0px 5px;
color: #000;
border: none;
font-size: 16px;
border-radius: 10px;
font-weight: bold;
width: 100px;
height: 35px;
cursor: pointer;
line-height: 37px;
transition: .2s all;
background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 13%, rgba(164, 164, 164, 1) 75%);
}

.nno-dm-btn:hover {
/* background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 13%, rgb(192, 164, 25) 75%); */
box-shadow: 0px 0px 10px rgb(192, 164, 25);
}

.nno-dm-active {
background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 13%, rgb(192, 164, 25) 75%) !important;
}

.nno-dm-btn:active:hover {
background: linear-gradient(180deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 13%, rgb(192, 164, 25) 75%) !important;
}

@media (max-width: 815px) {
#nno-dm-wrapper {
flex-direction: column;
height: 100%;
}

#nno-dm-left {
max-width: 100%;
text-align: center;
}

#nno-dm-right {
width: unset !important;
text-align: center;
}
.nno-dm-box {
font-size: 18px !important;
margin: 10px !important;
}
}

Enjoying Native News Coverage?

Make A Donation Here

$25
$50
$100

What does the title reveal about the album’s themes?
It comes from a Charlie Russel painting, and in the scene there are four horses standing around on a hilltop and down below there are guys robbing a stagecoach. It talks about the horses being involved and are the better part of the situation. Coming from Crow culture, horses have always been really important in my life, and I really just liked the idea of it to incorporate that.

Your latest single, “Indian Hunters Return.” from the album, what inspired the lyrics. 
With that particular song, there was a painting that I was really familiar with because a print of that painting hung in my grandfather’s house growing up. I thought it was an interesting scene that depicts Native horseback riders coming into an Indian camp back in the day, and you can tell these guys are cold and have been out hunting all day, bringing back meat. I can only assume that the first stop they make is at an elder camp.

What are some exciting things you have coming up after the release of your new album?
We are planning some shows locally along with a couple shows around the U.S. coming up within the next few months with my band Ghost Dog. We have not gotten into booking a tour for the album release yet, but it is going to happen.

What is a message you want to give to up-and-coming Indigenous musicians that you wish you would have received? 
I began playing piano and taught myself guitar, and as a young person I did not realize at the time how much it takes to move to the next level in your playing. There’s always so much more to learn, and over those years, I wish I had paid more attention to listening to other music and practicing more. I didn’t really start to practice until I was in my 40s, when I would start playing 10 hours a day. I regret that I did not start that sooner, because my playing and songwriting would have benefited from that.

More Stories Like This

Magan Kateri Basque, the First Indigenous Winner of Miss Canada United World, Talks Giving Back, New York Fashion Week
Red Earth TreeFest Showcases Diverse Native Culture of Oklahoma
“Reservation Dogs” Ties for Best TV Show of the Year by TIME Magazine
Here’s What’s Going in Indian Country, December 9 —14

About The Author

Author: Kaili BergEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Staff Reporter

Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.

#wpdevar_comment_9 span,#wpdevar_comment_9 iframe{width:100%!important}#wpdevar_comment_9 iframe{max-height:100%!important}

About SocialNewsXYZ

An Indo-American News website. It covers Gossips, Politics, Movies, Technolgy, and Sports News and Photo Galleries and Live Coverage of Events via Youtube.
The website is established in 2015 and is owned by AGK FIRE INC.