{"id":35550,"date":"2024-02-12T16:29:07","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T21:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=35550"},"modified":"2024-02-12T16:29:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T21:29:07","slug":"cronkite-news-native-artists-share-their-cultures-at-arizona-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2024\/02\/12\/cronkite-news-native-artists-share-their-cultures-at-arizona-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Cronkite News: Native artists share their cultures at Arizona festival"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Arizona<\/a>
Sonja Morgan from the Navajo Nation showcases her rug-weaving process at the Arizona Indian Festival in Scottsdale on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n
Arizona Indian Festival showcases authentic Indigenous art<\/div>\r\n
Artists say knockoffs from overseas undermine their authentic work, which represents their culture<\/div>\r\n
Monday, February 12, 2024<\/div>\r\n
<\/div>By Marnie Jordan<\/a>\r\n
Cronkite News<\/DIV>\r\n
cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nSCOTTSDALE — The bustling Arizona Indian Festival<\/a> showcases Native singing, dancing and art to promote tourism and awareness of Arizona\u2019s tribal communities. Visitors can learn about Indigenous culture and history through vendors, art and demonstrations.

<\/P>\r\nTo ensure that visitors to the festival, which was Saturday and Sunday, interact with real Native art, an Arizona Indian Festival committee vets all festival vendors for authenticity. Vendors are also required to show a certificate of degree of Indian or Alaska Native blood, which proves they are authentic members of Native American nations in Arizona.

<\/P>\r\nSilversmith Steve LaRance from the Hopi Tribe said people visiting the Southwest find Native American culture interesting and want an authentic experience. \u201cOur artwork carries a lot of that beauty and culture when we create it.\u201d

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Steve LaRance shows a piece of jewelry he created in a photo taken on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Steve LaRance, right, talks to Arizona Indian Festival visitor Graham Chapman on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\nLaRance said the authenticity of Native American arts and crafts is important because there are knockoffs from Indonesia, China, Japan and other countries that take away from the income of Native people and their families.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s all about the money because Native American arts and crafts is a multibillion-dollar industry annually,\u201d LaRance said.

<\/P>\r\nLaRance said Native American arts and crafts are highly regarded all over the world because they carry the culture and history of Indigenous people.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cEach piece I create is a one-of-a-kind piece and I always am glad that I have a client or customer that just is really appreciative of the work that I put into my creations, and they appreciate the culture that it comes from and not only the culture but the artists that created it,\u201d LaRance said.

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Rings created by silversmith Steve LaRance on display at the Arizona Indian Festival on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nLaRance said he can create simple sterling silver rings that take about a day to finish or make an elaborate piece of jewelry that takes two or three months, depending on the complexity, design and materials.

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Tonya June Rafael shows off jewelry she made at the Arizona Indian Festival in a photograph taken on February 4, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAnother artist at the festival, Navajo jeweler Tonya June Rafael, said there are knockoffs threatening her business, and there is nothing she can do about it. Rafael said once at a show she sat next to two big booths that resold mass-produced jewelry.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cI\u2019m a one-man person and I\u2019m trying to sell my jewelry. \u2026 I mean how do I compete with that?\u201d Rafael said.

<\/P>\r\nDespite the challenges, Rafael said she wants her work to inspire younger Native artists to create their own designs.

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

\r\nAt the Arizona Indian Festival, Sonja Morgan demonstrates her process of rug weaving to spectators on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nRug weaver Sonja Morgan from the Navajo Nation said there\u2019s been a push for authentic Native art because Native American tradition is being recognized more, even in movies.

<\/P>\r\nThe festival raises awareness about Indigenous culture and all the hard work that artists put in. Morgan used a Navajo loom to show people the complex process of rug weaving.

<\/P>\r\nShe said authentic art is always the best because a buyer knows the work came straight from the artist and the artist didn\u2019t add anything cheap or skimp on the process.

<\/P>\r\nMorgan said when she makes a rug, she thinks about who she is making it for and keeping good spirits in the product.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s more of the blessings and the prayers,\u201d Morgan said of authentic art.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Rug weaver Sonja Morgan answers questions about her craft on February 3, 2024, at the Arizona Indian Festival. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nMorgan said she loves showing people her work and seeing their positive reactions.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThese are the things all colonizers tried to take away from us. They tried killing all of us, but we are still here \u2026 trying to keep it alive,\u201d Morgan said of Indigenous art and culture.

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Navajo silversmith McHale Alcott displays his work at the Arizona Indian Festival on February 4, 2024 Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nNavajo silversmith McHale Alcott explained the festival is also about family and continuing Indigenous art across generations.

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s like a family gathering,\u201d Alcott said. \u201cIt\u2019s like a family reunion for all of us.\u201d

<\/P>\r\n\"Arizona<\/a>

Navajo artist Johnson Yazzie paints at the Arizona Indian Festival on February 3, 2024. Photo by Marnie Jordan \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nFor more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A>.<\/STRONG>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

Note: This story originally appeared on Cronkite News<\/a>. It is published via a Creative Commons license<\/A>. Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication<\/A> at Arizona State University<\/A>.<\/EM>
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