Annual American Indian Festival : Natural History Museum Hosts Exhibit of Native Culture

The artistry of Native Americans from throughout the Southwest and California will be on view at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County as it hosts the 15th annual American Indian Festival for three days beginning today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sculptors, jewelry makers, weavers, painters and potters will be on hand to demonstrate, discuss and sell their work. There will also be films, a lecture, performances of traditional dance and special activities for children.

Curators say they have sought out a representative group of artists whose creativity best demonstrates their rich American Indian heritage. Visitors will be able to purchase collector-quality art directly from the artists at prices ranging from $5 to $2,500.

During the festival, booths will be set up in the main foyer, which will take on the appearance of a traditional Indian market.

Among the artists present will be Mary Ann Ashley, a Navajo who will set up her loom to demonstrate weaving; Benjamin Harjo, a Seminole Shawnee who is a painter and printmaker; Ray Tracey, who designs and fashions Navajo jewelry, and Tex Wounded-Face, a Mandan/Hidasta who has won many awards for his sculpture. In the mid-18th Century, this tribe lived near the mouth of the Heart River in North Dakota.

Excelled in Basketry

Representing the native California culture are Jennifer Bates, a Northern Miwok who does basketry, beadwork, and makes musical instruments, and George Blake, a Hupa/Yurok who works in pottery and carves wood objects traditional in his tribe, which inhabited northwestern California where they used redwood to build split-plank houses. They also excelled at basketry.

The Miwok territory was centered in Marin and adjacent Sonoma counties. When Sir Francis Drake landed on the coast north of San Francisco in 1579, he was greeted by Miwoks who hailed him as their king. Drake, the gentleman pirate, declined the honor, continuing his voyage and leaving California to be claimed and settled by Spain. The Miwoks relied heavily on the ocean for food, catching steelhead and salmon in the winter runs. There was ample game, and a staple was acorn mush. These Indians also harvested clams from their own beds, which served more than a dietary purpose. The shells were used for money when trading with neighboring tribes.

The Indians of the Southwest occupied a vast area. It comprised Arizona, the western two-thirds of New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Colorado and Texas. Within these areas, they developed various art forms that are continued by their descendants and prized by collectors today.

Pueblo pottery is still being made by some artists without benefit of the wheel. The pots are painted in geometric designs and fired. Navajo blankets have been coveted since the Spaniards came into the Southwest in the 18th Century. They could be worn, used for cover at night, or as saddle blankets. Colors were obtained from vegetable and mineral dyes, the wool yarn woven into intricate patterns.

Navajo Jewelry Popular

Undoubtedly, the most sought-after objects are Navajo jewelry. Silverwork was introduced to Native Americans by a Mexican craftsman around 1868. According to Geoffrey Turner, author of “Indians of North America” (Blanford Press, England, 1979), the Indian silversmiths used U.S. coins until the Treasury objected in 1890, at which time they switched to Mexican pesos. It was about 1880 that the Navajo smiths began setting their silverwork with turquoise, creating a heavy demand for bracelets, finger and ear rings, buckles and necklaces. There will be a wide selection at the festival.

Admission is $1.50 for adults; children 5-17, seniors, students, 75 cents. This includes all museum exhibits.

PROGRAMS FOR THE THREE DAYS

Traditional social dances by the Inter-Tribal Dancers of Los Angeles. Performances will include the Swan and Eagle Dances, the War Dance, the Hoop Dance and the dramatic Apache Mountain Spirit Dance in the North Mammal Hall. Saturday and Sunday at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Slide lecture by guest curator Margaret Achuleta who will speak on the life and work of Native American artist Harry Fonseca. Achuleta’s presentation will focus on the artist’s vision of Coyote, a magical being prominent in the traditional literature and religion of many native peoples of the Americas. The exhibit traces Coyote’s history as he emerges from Fonseca’s Maidu heritage and leaves the reservation to participate in the life of America. Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Second Floor Mammal Hall.

A film program in the Auditorium: “The Dawn Riders: Native American Artists” highlights the work of three prominent Indian painters; “Walking in a Sacred Manner” reflects upon the integrity and beauty of Native American ways of life and stresses the necessity of living in harmony with nature. Shown Sunday at 2 p.m.

All of the above activities are free with admission price.