Arts & Entertainment Archives - Page 42 of 113

Why Buy ‘Native Inspired’ Products When You Can Get the Real Thing?

Courtesy Louie GongThe 'Inspired Natives' collection includes these mobile phone cases designed by Louie Gong and Michelle Lowden. — Courtesy Louie Gong
The ‘Inspired Natives’ collection includes these mobile phone cases designed by Louie Gong and Michelle Lowden.

Richard Walker, Indian Country Today , 7/15/14

When a big apparel or furnishings manufacturer looks to Native culture for inspiration, the result is “Native-inspired” product that has better distribution than most actual Native designers can hope for. These designers can get the feeling they’re having their pockets picked by the big boys — and in extreme cases they undoubtedly are. Louie Gong, Nooksack, one of today’s most successful Native design entrepreneurs, has seen it happen enough in his field, and he’s decided to do something about it with a project called Inspired Natives, an initiative to promote Native artists.

According to Gong’s website, the initiative’s goals include: build the business knowledge and capacity of popular Native-arts entrepreneurs so they can meet demand for their work worldwide; show companies how to create and sell products featuring Native art in a way that supports Native people; and raise awareness about the cultural and economic impact of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation.

The first designer Gong has tapped for the project is Michelle Lowden, Acoma Pueblo. Lowden now has her own section at eighthgeneration.com, featuring pillows, a blanket, and a notebook with her “Transformation” design, and mobile phone cases with her “Rainstorm” design.

The pillows and notebook designed by Michelle Lowden, Pueblo Acoma, are part of the Inspired Natives line of products.

Gong started Inspired Natives because he’s frustrated with “Native inspired” clothing and other products produced by large companies. He believes each “Native inspired” product represents not only a missed opportunity for talented Native artists to build knowledge through collaboration, “it also presents a tangible barrier to Native arts entrepreneurs who must compete for a spot on shelves already dominated by non-Native companies producing products featuring appropriated art. At the same time, socially conscious consumers who appreciate Native themes and aesthetics … are consuming these products without conscious awareness of how patronage either supports or undermines the work of indigenous artists and entrepreneurs.”

Gong encourages consumers to support artists who are inspired Natives, not Native-inspired artists; think before they buy a product featuring indigenous art; and use the hash tag #INSPIREDNATIVES.

24/7 Pow wow and native music online radio stations

Monica Brown, Tulalip News writer

In case you have been looking for some native beats to enjoy, visit the links below. Both stations play 24/7 and can be listened to on either a PC or on your smart phone (there’s an app).

Pow Wow Radio – Your source for 24/7 Pow Wow music free!

http://www.powwows.com/2012/08/03/pow-wow-radio-247-native-american-pow-wow-music/

NativeMusicRadio.com – Your source for ALL types of Native American music – jazz, rock, rap, country and more!

http://www.powwows.com/2012/02/16/native-music-radio/

Also, check out the PowWows.com free mobile app and access latest information right on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

The app includes access to

Latest Articles
Pow Wow Photos
Pow Wow Videos
News
Pow Wow Calendar
Classifieds
And more!

http://www.powwows.com/2013/08/03/new-powwows-com-app-for-android-and-ios/

All information from powwows.com

Who Wants Frybread?

Doe’z Onda Go is serving up a modern Native American classic

By Niki Cleary, Tulalip News

Boom City is over and you’re in between pow wows, what are you missing? Okay, besides all those opportunities for snagging. Frybread, of course! Don’t despair, you can still get your fix of that delicious, fluffy, awesomeness. Doe’z Onda Go serves frybread delicacies including Frybread burgers, Rez dogs, NLBs (Natives love bacon), and fried Oreos (Oreos wrapped in frybread), as well as the always classy frybread a la carte (which is a fancy French phrase that basically means ‘by itself’).

“Doe” is actually Nadene Foster (Klamath), also known by her nickname, Grandma DeeDee. Her frybread is made using a biscuit recipe that has been in her family for four generations, tweaked slightly to fry up crisp and light (in texture, not calories mind you).

According to Nadene, it’s not the ingredients that make her frybread special.

“It’s all made with love,” she said. “We pray every morning before we get started. We’re going to continue to produce awesome food.”

For Nadene, frybread is family tradition.

“When I moved to Southern Oregon I’d sell my bread to make a little extra money. I was always on the go. When I start making bread, all my granddaughters want to get their hands in that dough and fry their own piece!” she laughed, “They all take turns, even the boys, they all want to make their own piece.

“To go from that to where we are today is a dream come true,” said Nadene, her eyes sparkling. “It’s so exciting, I can hardly contain myself.”

Doe’z Onda Go. Photo/Niki Cleary — Doe’z Onda Go.
Photo/Niki Cleary

The magic all happens in a tiny building, located in the same lot as Off-Road Espresso on the corner of Marine Drive and 27^th Avenue. Although the building is only About 140 square feet, it contains a full professional kitchen, including a griddle, deep fryer and a fire suppression system in case all that hot food gets out of hand.

Although the recipe is old, the business uses modern technology to make sure that orders are correct, and it’s easy to pay whether you’re using cash or a card. Orders, taken on an iPad, are quickly transformed into delicious meals.

Nadene and her business partner Eric Cortez (Tulalip), opened the business June 21^st.

“This has always been a dream of Nadene’s. She showed me how to make the bread, and they had talked about going full-time,” said Eric. “I became part of the family, and I had the resources and funding to make it happen.

“My mom had the space, this empty building and the spot. By the taco stand (Tacos El Ray), Off-Road Espresso and the fruit stand. Plus this is 100% authentic, modern Native American food. Tulalip owned with a twist of southern Oregon.”

The staff favorites?

Making a frybread Oreo. Photo/Niki Cleary — Making a frybread Oreo.
Photo/Niki Cleary

“Fried Oreos are popular,” said Eric. “I like just the frybread alone and the large Rez dog is my second favorite. We’re thinking about adding deep fried bananas as a dessert. I tried one of those and wow!”

“My favorite is probably just a piece of frybread with butter,” said Nadene. “But I also like the frybread burger.”

So, if you’re ready to fulfill your frybread fantasies, Doe’z Onda Go is the stop for you. Doe’z Onda Go is open Tusday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Short on time? Call in an order for quicker pick-up, 425-622-6289.

Click here to download a Menu

Culture Bearers: 5 Carvers Who Kept Northwest Coast Carving Alive, Part 1

Richard Walker, Indian Country Today

From the late 1800s until 1934 in the U.S. and 1951 in Canada, the potlatch—the great system of celebration, honoring, witnessing, and wealth redistribution—was banned in an effort to kill indigenous cultural ways. Potlatch-related activities, such as carving, were banned. Authorities confiscated regalia. People who went to potlatches were arrested and jailed. And yet, the cultural ways survived.

Among those who defied the unjust laws of the time were the artists who continued to carve regalia masks, house posts, great totem poles, and sea- and ocean-going canoes. Here’s a list of some of the carvers and their artistic heirs whose legacy is a culture that is living and thriving. This list is by no means complete.

Charles Edenshaw, Haida (1839-1920) For three months this year, the National Gallery of Canada exhibited 80 objects created by Edenshaw, calling him “one of the most innovative artists working on the West Coast at the turn of the 20th century.”

He was in his mid-40s when Canada’s anti-potlatch laws were enacted, yet, according to the National Gallery, his “deep-seated belief in Haida traditions … gave him the agility and fortitude to thrive as a Haida artist during oppressive colonial rule.”

His works included bentwood boxes, masks, rattles, staffs and totem poles. He advanced gold and silver engraving in traditional formline design. He had, the gallery wrote, an “ability to animate Haida stories in his carving.” He was interested in new materials and visual ideas and, according to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, may have been the first Haida artist to work in silver and gold.

Edenshaw produced many commissioned works; major collections of his works are housed in museums in Chicago, New York, British Columbia, Quebec, and Oxford. His drawings were published in the anthropologist Franz Boas’s 1927 book, Primitive Art. And his work was first exhibited as “fine art” in 1927 by the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa; the exhibit later travelled to the Musée du Jeu-de-Paume in Paris.

Chief John McCarty, Makah (c. 1850- unknown) McCarty, whose Makah name was Hishka, was a hereditary chief whose uncle signed the Treaty of Neah Bay in 1855. Hishka carved canoes used in whaling and sealing and “had a whaling canoe of his own,” said John McCarty, Hishka’s namesake and grandson. He said a sealing canoe carved by his grandfather still existed in the 1950s.

Hishka also created a large Thunderbird with moveable wings and beak, which was used to tell the story of how Thunderbird captured a whale for food. Hishka’s grandson and great-grandson made a similarly dramatic presentation when the Makah Nation hosted the 2010 Canoe Journey: they created a large whale with moveable fins, eyes and mouth. Singers sang a song to wake up the whale, its eyes opened, and dancers came out of the whale’s mouth.

Hishka’s descendants continue his legacy of service to the Makah Nation—his son, Jerry, served as chairman. His namesake grandson served as director of the Makah Whaling Commission and dances the chief’s song he inherited from his grandfather, and his great-grandson, Micah McCarty, served as Makah Nation chairman.

Micah McCarty continues his great-grandfather’s work on behalf of Makah’s culture and people. He’s served as chairman of the Makah Nation, and was a 2012 finalist for the Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award. Ecotrust wrote that McCarty has strengthened “response to oil spills in coastal waters, has helped to protect tribal whaling rights, and has fostered strong connections between tribal and non-tribal governments.” (Ecotrust)

Charles Edwards, Samish (1866-1948) The Samish Indian Nation had “a reputation for its skilled craftsmen,” historian Bret Lunsford wrote in his book, Anacortes. To that reputation, Edwards contributed The Telegraph, a famous racing canoe carved circa 1905, now on display at a museum on nearby Whidbey Island; the Question Mark 2, a racing canoe carved in 1936 after the original Question Mark went into retirement (it now resides in Virginia); and a 60-foot pole in 1938 that depicted important cultural figures.

The 1938 pole was removed in 1981; the carved images were restored and are on display in the Swinomish Tribe’s social services building. Swinomish artist Kevin Paul carved a replica pole that was raised in 1989.

Edwards was also a leader and advocate for Native treaty rights. He represented the Samish before the U.S. Court of Claims in 1926 in Duwamish, et al Tribes of Indians v. United States. His son, Alfred, served as chairman of the Samish Indian Nation. A great-granddaughter, Barbara James, is treasurer and former vice chairwoman of the Swinomish Tribe.

William Shelton, Snohomish (1869-1938) At a time when his people were disallowed from speaking their language and practicing their customs, Shelton devoted his life to preserving and sharing the traditions of the Snohomish people through art, public presentations, and his book, The Story of the Totem Pole or Indian Legends, written at the Bureau of Indian Affair’s request. (The book was republished in 2010 by Kessinger Publishing, which specializes in rare, out-of-print books.)

Shelton’s works included a longhouse and a story pole on the Tulalip Reservation; a story pole commissioned by residents of the City of Everett; a 37-foot story pole for a park in Freeport, Illinois; and a story pole, requested by his state’s governor, for the state capitol grounds.

In 1931, he was a speaker at the dedication of a bronze and granite marker commemorating the 1855 signing of the Point Elliott Treaty; other speakers included a member of Congress and the governor.

Shelton passed away before his final pole was finished and the work was completed by other Tulalip carvers. There was some symbolism in that; historian Margaret Riddle wrote on HistoryLink.org that Shelton’s accomplishments “served as the bridge for following generations who found new ways to continue his work.”

William Shelton carves a story pole circa 1920. He wrote a book about totem poles and Native stories, and used his art to build bridges of understanding between Native and non-Native peoples. (HistoryLink.org/Museum of History and Industry)

Mungo Martin, Kwakwaka’wakw (1879-1962) Martin was raised in the potlatch tradition of the Kwakwaka’wakw and hosted the first public potlatch since his government’s potlatch ban of 1884. His career was long and prolific; he carved his first commissioned totem pole in Alert Bay around 1900.

In 1947, Martin was hired by the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia to restore and create replicas of sculptures, totem poles, masks and other ceremonial objects. Between 1952 and 1962, he created new and replica poles for Thunderbird Park at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria. Among his monumental works: Wawadit’la, a Kwakwaka’wakw big house; a 160-foot totem pole that remained standing until 2000; and the Centennial Pole, presented to Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of British Columbia. This pole stands in Windsor Great Park near London.

In his later years, Martin sang and recorded songs, and prepared novices for Kwakwaka’wakw ceremonies.

Martin’s descendants include some of the most accomplished Northwest Coast Native artists: Richard, Tony and Stanley Clifford Hunt are his grandsons; Shirley Hunt is a granddaughter; Jason and Trevor Hunt are great-grandsons.

Mungo Martin is one of the 20th century’s most distinguished Kwakwaka’wakw carvers. (Wikimedia)

Treat your dog to 8th Annual Marysville Poochapalooza July 12

Rescue dogs fashion show, wiener dog races, Flyball, contests and more!

MARYSVILLE – Marysville Dog Owners Group (M-DOG) invites you and your pooch to the 8^th Annual Marysville Poochapalooza outdoor dog event 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 12 at Strawberry Fields Park, 6100 152^nd St. NE in Marysville.

Snohomish County’s largest dog event has kept tails wagging with the Fashions and Rescues Runway Show, Running of the Wieners dachshund races, Flyball exhibitions, pie-eating and Best in Show contests to give dogs their moment to shine, event coordinators say. In addition, you can snoop for bargains among the dozens of pet-related vendors.

Poochapalooza is free, but a suggested minimum $5 donation per person is requested, with goodie-filled “wag bags” to the first 500 visitors. All proceeds support needs at Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park, such as agility equipment, picnic tables and benches. The park is maintained year-round by M-DOG volunteers.

Poochapalooza this year will again go high fashion with the popular Fashions and Rescues Runway Show, mixing country charm with urban chic. The show will feature adoptable dogs modeling the latest eye-catching fashions live on the catwalk…urr….dogwalk.

“This is one our favorite highlights at the event because we like helping pet adoption groups find loving homes for dogs,” says Leslie Buell, Poochapalooza founder and coordinator, and an owner of shelter adopted dogs for years.

Another favorite is the “Running of the Wieners” dachshund races. Watch as these low to the ground but high on energy pups show off their speed and cunning in races starting at 2 p.m., Buell says. The number of qualifier races will depend on how many dogs register, so make sure your dog is in the running! Day of event registration is $10 per dog to race. Top finishers will be invited to compete in wiener dog races at the halftime show of a Seattle Seahawks game at Century Link Field in the 2014 season.

Dogs with a hidden talent can enter fun “Best in Show” contests like Best Kisser, Best Voice, Wackiest Pet Trick, and Pooch Pie-Eating Contests. Contest donation cost is $5 for one contest, or $10 for unlimited contests (excluding the Pooch Pie-Eating Contest in big and small dog categories, which is $10.) Register at the event. Visit the Poochapalooza website at http://poochapalooza.org/ for forms and schedule. The pie-eating contests are sponsored and emceed by Dining Dog Café and Bakery of Edmonds and Owner Dorothy Moore. The fashion show is sponsored by Christy Bows LLC.

Among new events this year, DuTERRA Essential Oils and K9 Nosework will combine to provide a scent demonstration, at 1:30 p.m., and a Doggie Dessert Dash will occur at 3 p.m., courtesy of Pupcakes LLC.

Food and refreshments available for purchase. Parking is free.

For more information about Poochapalooza, contact Leslie Buell at (425) 268-5285, email labuell@frontier.com, or visit the website at http://poochapalooza.org/. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/poochapalooza.

Inaugural Indigenous Fine Art Market to Launch August 21-23 2014

Juried art show in Santa Fe’s Railyard Arts District will feature more than 400 acclaimed Native American artists. Three-day event includes live performances, traditional music and dance, youth art, skateboarding exhibition, literary booths and more

Source: JLH Media

June 26, 2014; Santa Fe, NM: More than 400 acclaimed Native American artists will show and sell their art at the first annual Indigenous Fine Art Market (IFAM) at the Santa Fe Railyard on August 21-23, with more award-winning talents juried in every day. Participating artists include jeweler Darryl Dean Begay (Navajo), clothing designer Sho Sho Esquiro (Kasa Dene), jeweler Tchin (Narragansett/Blackfeet), Apache Skateboards founder Douglas Miles (San Carlos Apache), photographer Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), writer Sara Marie Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo), jeweler Kristen B. Dorsey (Chickasaw), bead worker Summer Peters (Saginaw Ojibwe), jeweler Victor P. Beck, Sr. (Navajo), painter Rhett Lynch (Navajo) and weaver Melissa Cody (Navajo).

“IFAM is about our narrative and our art, it is not about old versus new or traditional versus contemporary,” said John Torres Nez, President of the Indigenous Fine Art Market. “It is designed for all communities, from tribal lands throughout North America to our local Santa Fe area and collectors from all over the globe. We want to share our culture with everyone, not just those who can afford an award-winning $20,000 necklace. Along with spectacular jewelry, paintings, beadwork, and pottery, IFAM includes music, dance and literary performances and native foods for everyone to enjoy.”

Guided by artists who want a voice in how their market is produced, IFAM was formed to share the Native American narrative with the world through relationships made with those who experience Native art. A juried art show, IFAM will maintain the highest quality of standards expected with a fine art show.

IFAM’s events were chosen to create a greater understanding of the diversity and beauty of Native American culture and people as they evolve and exist today. IFAM features performances by Native bands, traditional music and dance, spoken word, skateboarding exhibitions, installation art, mural painting, youth art, and literary booths.

Special events include:

IFAM Kickoff Glow Dance Party: Wed., Aug. 20, 8pm. Location TBD
IFAM Art Show & Celebration: Thurs., Aug. 21 – Sat., Aug. 23 Santa Fe Railyard
IFAM Stage, Thurs., Aug. 21 – Sat., Aug. 23, Santa Fe Railyard
Youth programming, Wed., Aug 20 – Sat.,Aug. 23, Warehouse 21
Film programs

IFAM is currently looking for major sponsorships of all kinds for the stages, programming, facilities, and events. To discuss sponsorships, contact Linda Off at linda@indigefam.org.

IFAM’s list of participating artists is updated daily at www.indigefam.org.

Hibulb Cultural Center Film Series, Sunday June 29

Daniel Jones will be at the Hibulb Cultural Center on Sunday, June 29, at 1:00 p.m. for a Family History Preparation workshop.

Behind the Scenes with Longmire Advisor Marcus Red Thunder

By Toyacoyah Brown, powwows.com

Are you a Longmire Fan? In case you’re not familiar with the show, Longmire is an A&E drama television series based on the “Walt Longmire” series of mystery novels written by author Craig Johnson.

One of the characters in the Longmire world is Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne man who is Walt Longmire’s best friend and confidant. As it turns out, Henry Standing Bear was based on author Craig Johnson’s real life friend, Marcus Red Thunder. The creators of the show turned to the Red Thunder when they needed a technical advisor to make sure they got all the Native details perfect.

In the video below you can see his contributions to the episode “Miss Cheyenne”.

In the “Miss Cheyenne” episode that aired Monday night the lead character Walt Longmire juggles a murder investigation and his duties as a fill-in judge for the Miss Cheyenne Pageant.

If you didn’t catch it, you can watch the full episode of Miss Cheyenne on A&E: http://www.aetv.com/longmire/video/miss-cheyenne

Longmire airs Monday nights at 10pm Eastern / 9pm Central on the A&E cable network.

Video: Tulalip Salmon Ceremony 2014

Watch video from the 2014 Tulalip Tribes Salmon Ceremony.

Produced by the Tulalip Tribes Communications Dept.

Watch: SalmonCeremony2014

Young Eskimos Break Out on Their Own on TLC’s New Series ‘Escaping Alaska’

Escaping-Alaska-TLC-Show — Click image to preview series “Escaping Alaska”

This will be the first program from Discovery Networks International to debut in the U.S. first

The Wrap June 25, 2014

By Jethro Nededog

In a similar vein to its popular “Breaking Amish” franchise, TLC once again places its gaze on a subculture whose youth want to experience the outside world on new series “Escaping Alaska.”

The six-part series will be the first program from Discovery Networks International (DNI) that will air in the United States first before moving on to more than 200 countries and territories across the world.

Debuting on Sunday, July 27 at 9/8c, “Escaping Alaska” will feature the challenging journey of Alaska natives, broadly referred to as Eskimos, Mary, Frank, Tamara, Qituvituag aka Q and Nuala, as they set out to explore the world outside their villages and small towns. Though filled with love and pride in their heritage, these young people yearn to know life outside the insular communities. But, that’s not how their families will take it.

“‘Escaping Alaska’ provides a rare window into a remote world that is quite foreign to many of TLC viewers – a look at the lives of an endangered culture and private community that is seldom seen by the lower 48,” said DNI’s production and development vice president, Jon Sechrist in a statement.

He continued, “The series is a fascinating study of people struggling to preserve their traditional way of life, and the aspirations of its younger generation who are seeking their own way. The five characters featured are a microcosm of their community.”

Leaving one’s home is considered a betrayal in that culture, so these young people will have to use cover stories to mask their true intentions for leaving for California. Their new experiences will include new jobs, dating and challenging their traditional upbringings. In the end, they’ll each make the decision to return home or continue their lives within the contiguous 48 states of the U.S.

Sechrist commissioned and executive produced the series. Hot Snakes Media is producing the series for DNI.