Author: FAAM Staff

An open letter by Lucinda Turner For the last several years, thousands of people, both Indigenous artists and settler allies, have collaborated to safeguard Northwest Coast (NWC) Indigenous art from appropriation and theft. While we have seen some successes, Canada needs to step up and support these efforts, so that this serious issue can be addressed on a larger scale. We believe that it is time for the Canadian government to introduce much-needed legislation and policies to uphold and protect Indigenous intellectual property and copyrights through stricter laws and enforcement, enabling Indigenous artists to support their families, communities, and cultural…

CHICAGO – The debut date of the groundbreaking renovation of the Field Museum’s Native North America Hall has been announced. The museum has also chosen its exhibition title reflecting a new approach to the relationship between Native American communities and museums, the Native land upon which museums were built, and the items in their collections. Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories will open to the public on May 20, 2022. The exhibition was curated by Alaka Wali, PhD, with the guidance of an advisory council of eleven Native American scholars and museum professionals. They worked in partnership with 125 collaborators…

Issue No. 31, Summer 2021 Click here to purchase a digital copy for $7 from Issuu. To purchase a print copy, select your location: Locations US, New Mexico $9.74 USD US, other than NM $8.99 USD Canada $9.99 USD International $15.92 USD Features Cochiti Mono Figures by Suzanne Newman Fricke, PhD, 25–29 Connecting New Pathways: Centering Native Public Art in Tulsa by Mason Whitehorn Powell (Osage), 30–35 The Last Great Indian Art Movement of the 20th Century: IAIA Painters of the 1960s by Alfred Young Man, PhD (Chippewa-Cree), 36–41 Jeff Kahm’s Geometric Vision by W. Jackson Rushing III, PhD, 42–45 Artist…

After not being able to gather since 2019, SWAIA staff, artists, art patrons, and the media reconvened at the  Santa Fe Community Convention Center to witness the dramatic announcements of award winners. Beginning with the classification winners, announcements led up to the coveted Best of Show title. Carefully navigating COVID-19 protocols, SWAIA has been able to launch an in-person market for the 99th annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and oldest continuing Native art event in the country. “I’m grateful to SWAIA. Somehow you pulled this off. Unbelievable!” acknowledged Diverse Arts–winner Dana Warrington (Menominee/Potawatomi). SWAIA director Kim Peone (Colville/Eastern…

An internationally celebrated family of Picuris Pueblo and Navajo jewelers, sculptors, and designers share their thoughts on the changes to Santa Fe’s Native Art Week By America Meredith (Cherokee Nation) After the isolation of 2020, artists and collectors alike eagerly anticipate the excitement and joy of Santa Fe in mid-August. We can’t wait to see each other again! Many changes await us, but social distancing and masking protocols are small prices to pay to safely gather once again to celebrate Native American art in person. New Mexico tribes and pueblos pulled together through the pandemic to protect their most vulnerable…

When: Monday, Aug. 16 – Saturday, Aug. 21, 10:00 am–8:00 pm Where: La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco Street,  Lumpkins Ballroom and the Mezzanine Free and open to the public. Sovereign Santa Fe features curated exhibitions, an art market, and a celebration of contemporary Native art organized by FaraHNheight Fine Art, Tony Abeyta (Diné), Randy L. Barton (Diné), and Gregory F. Farah in collaboration with La Fonda on the Plaza. The events highlight emerging and mid-career Native American artists and artists of Native descent. Pivot: Skateboard Deck Art, a collateral traveling exhibition curated by Landis Bahe (Diné),…

By Frances Montevilla (Bolivian-American) A 19-year-old from Central New Jersey, Cady de la Cruz is a second-year student at the University of Virginia (UVA). They are an undeclared major interested in pursuing a minor in Indigenous studies. This summer, they are interning for the First American Art Magazine through UVA’s Mellon Indigenous Arts Program. Guided by their own experiences and identities, Cady is a bold and thoughtful individual with the power to transform spaces within UVA, FAAM, and more. FM: Tell me a bit about your childhood, where you grew up, and how that has influenced and still influences your…

By Cady de la Cruz (Andean-American) A 19-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia, Frances Montevilla is a second-year student at the University of Virginia (UVA). She is planning on majoring in American studies with a minor in Indigenous studies. This summer, she is interning for First American Art Magazine through UVA’s Mellon Indigenous Arts Program. Frances is a bright mind with many perspectives to contribute to UVA, FAAM, and the many other spaces she will take part in in the professional future that stretches before her. CDLC: What kind of work do you feel called to be doing, both currently and in…

Saskatoon, SK – In the summer of 2019, Kwakwaka’wakw artist Mary Anne Barkhouse made the trip from Minden, Ontario, to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park to visit the Opimihaw Valley. She walked the trails with Dr. Ernie Walker, who was instrumental in founding the park and the lead archaeologist during the longest-running research dig in Canada in the valley. They talked with staff about all the components of Wanuskewin that make the site so special. And there are many things that make Wanuskewin special. With archaeological evidence dating back at least 6,400 years, Wanuskewin has been recognized as a gathering place…

Rutherford Falls connects the mainstream public to Indian Country By Gracelynn Growingthunder (Nakoda/Kiowa), age 11 The Peacock TV sitcom Rutherford Falls, produced by Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo), Ed Helms, and Michael Schur, has been approved for a second season! The first season is set in a fictional small town with locals who are passionate about their history, while others don’t care. The fictional Minishonka Nation with their Running Thunder Casino employs most of the townsfolk. While the population of the town is not interested in maintaining its bothersome statue of Lawrence Rutherford, one energetic museum director Nathan “Nate” Rutherford (played…