Connecting, Learning and Growing: Native Arts Convening

The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund) hosted a Native Arts convening in Seattle, Washington in September, 2018. Seven program Administrators of the Restoration and Preservation of Traditional Native Art Forms and Knowledge Grant participated in the Native Arts convening  from the College of Menominee Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Leech Lake Tribal College, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, Sisseton Wahpeton College, Sitting Bull College and United Tribes Technical College.

The convening was a two-day event that provided the opportunity for Program Administrators to think critically of the Native Arts capacity at each of their institutions and to begin thinking about long-term impact of their arts programming. In addition, Program Administrators had the opportunity to participate in two off-site activities.

See the highlights of our gathering in the photos below.

[caption id="attachment_15848" align="aligncenter" width="880"] The Native Arts convening was hosted in Seattle, Washington.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15849" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Matthew Echohawk-Hayashi, Headwater People Consultants, helped facilitate and lead discussions around theories of change.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15850" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The convening site was located at the Eighth Generation Store at Pike Place Market. The store is in a unique location, adjacent to Pike Place Market, and has a meeting space that the community can use.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15845" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Louie Gong, owner and founder of Eighth Generation, gives a talk to TCU Program Administrators on the creation of Eighth Generation, his work with the community, and the importance of supporting Native artists and Native-run business.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_15851" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A group photo of the College Fund staff, TCU Program Administrators, and Louie Gong.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15852" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Program Administrators had the opportunity to meet Pacific Northwest artist Preston Singletary and tour his glass art studio.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15854" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Preston Singletary explains the process of how he creates his glass sculptures.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15843" align="aligncenter" width="880"] Finishing the tour with a group photo with Preston.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15844" align="aligncenter" width="600"] On the last day of the convening, participants had the opportunity to tour the Northwest Art Collection at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15846" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ashely Verplank McClelland, of the Burke Museum, gives a talk on Pacific Northwest basketry.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_15847" align="aligncenter" width="880"] Tarajean Yazzie-Mintz of the College Fund, leads a conversation on how the connection between the discussions during the convening and how they intersect with the off-site activities Program Administrators have participated in.[/caption]

The College Fund would like to thank Matthew Echohawk-Hayashi; Louie Gong and his staff at Eighth Generation; Preston Singletary and his assistant; and the staff at the Burke Museum for helping to contribute to the success of the College Fund’s Native Arts convening.

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