Hopi Pueblo sun symbol

Sterling silver post earrings

Photo by Yazzgrl Art 2018

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This posting concerns the Hopi Pueblo design of the sun (symbol). I acquired these new post-style earrings directly from the artist. These are made with sterling silver metal including: turquoise, jet and mother-of-pearl shell. The Hopi Pueblo consider this motif as that of hope and blessing.

Planting season

"Ha'dile'"

Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Yazzgrl Art

Even in the chaos of modernity in North America, the ways of the southwest Indigenous person is still being perpetuated from season to season.

In this month of June which for the Navajo person concerns the beginning of the planting season, but also to describe the earth season/ weather. For the Navajo person, the act of planting or farming concern the state of living or existing in  'beauty.'  Once nomadic, the 21st century Navajo people have adapted to the sedentary lifestyle and have become farmers. Many only plant the following: corn varieties (Blue corn, Yellow corn, White corn), melons and squash. All of which have specific cultural meaning and use in traditional family culture. In many cases the Indigenous person/ farmer in the southwest use only heirloom seeds, such seeds are only available in the family. I have been able to replant the seeds from my great-grandparents, and also have planted heirloom blue corn seeds from my Hopi relatives.

Although the Dine' - Navajo language has no definitions for the Euro -American calendar days or months, we do have a expression that describes this beginning of June, beginning of Summer season. Many contemporary Navajo people, express "June" as "ya’iishjááshchilí" - which concerns  the corn plant and its "little corn tassles."

I share this capture above as a narrative about the farming tradition of my own family in eastern Dine', Navajoland, USA. My great-grandparents were ardent farmers: my cheii planted corn and my masani' planted the squash and the melon varieties. This family tradition is in my blood, I have planted these vegetables as means of continuing the narrative of my family's existence in this area of northwest New Mexico and in the area of Navajoland called eastern Dine'tah.

Speaking from a personal perspective, the act and process of farming is medicinal for me. I know the many blessings that are bestowed from farming the land, which comes from a sacred way of living and in much respect.

(Posted by Venaya Yazzie 2018
06-11-18
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

SW Indigenous artisans and "fakes"

Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) made earrings
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2018
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

New acquisition into my southwestern desert jewelry collection. I purchases this pair of earrings directly from the Indigenous artist this weekend.

These authentic Indigenous Pueblo-made earrings were created in the ancient Pueblo style called "mosiac" design. These earrings include the following desert minerals: turquoise, black jet, and I am not sure of the yellow mineral. They also include mother-of-pearl shell and feature sterling silver findings and hooks.  I was able to talk with the Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) artist about his work before I purchased it, which I feel is vital in buying "real" authentic southwestern Indigenous jewelry.

As I mentioned in a previous post, if it is possible BUY DIRECTLY FROM THE INDIGENOUS (Native American) TRIBAL ARTIST.  By doing this you are ensuring the sovereignty of the Indigenous peoples ways of life, and overall artistic, creative expression.  In today's climate there is far too many fake jewelry pieces in the southwestern jewelry market.  This is particularly true in tourist towns such as: Santa Fe, Gallup, Flagstaff and other towns that border Indigenous / 'Indin' reservation communities who feature authentic "American Indian Jewelry."  Via the American western Anglo-drive trading posts and pawn shops and other so called Native American curio shops, there is fraud. This ill tradition began as early as the late 1900s when Euro-American Anglo people (particularly men) were seeing, or experiencing the southwestern INDIGENOUS ART of New Mexico and Arizona.

Nowdays, non-Indigenous (non-Navajo, non-Pueblo) people are perpetuating THEFT of INDIGENOUS ART.  Non-Indigenous business owners are stealing, copying and re-creating Indigenous peoples designs via jewelry and the Navajo rugs. In many cases they are photographing our art designs and then sending them off to foreign lands such as the Philippines, China, the Middle East and South America for non-Navajo, non-Pueblo artisans to re-create and therefore, make fake copies of our jewelry. All you have to do is walk down the tourist areas of say Santa Fe, NM and see curio shops selling knock-off jewelry items. Many times they are labeled as "authentic Native American made." Don't be deceived, be vigilant and instead ask questions and buy directly from the Indigenous artist when possible.

I share this post as a means of educating the public at large on modern issues we face as Indigenous jewelry artisans in a time of continually colonization.

Blessings.

 (Posted 06-11-18
by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)