Michael Kabotie, a member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, died on Friday due to complications from the H1N1 virus, commonly
known as swine flu. He was 67.
Kabotie was painter, jeweler and poet who incorporated traditional and modern elements into his works. His late father, Fred, was a noted artist and his son, Ed, is also an artist.
"We are all very saddened to hear of Michael Kabotie's passing this morning," said Ben Nuvamsa, former chairman of the tribe. "Michael was a true ambassador of our Hopi lifeways and, like his father Fred Kabotie, he did this through his art form. He was a great visionary and cared for the perpetuation of our Hopi ways. Our prayers go out to the Kabotie and Lomayesva families."
Kabotie was due to present the keynote at the Smoki Museum in Arizona on Saturday.
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