Native American Arts & Culture

There’s been a recent surge in authentic depictions of Native American people and stories in pop culture. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, KUNM discussed this shift with author and filmmaker Ramona Emerson, and the struggle she faced as a Diné writer to get her debut novel published.

There is only one more week till Santa Fe Indian Market. But for enthusiasts interested in learning and buying Indigenous arts and crafts early, the upcoming Whitehawk Antique Indian and Ethnographic Art show starts on Friday.

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts will be hosting its annual Santa Fe Indian Market this weekend where Indigenous artists from across North America come to sell their work, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more. Amy Denet Deal, a Diné designer and founder of 4Kinship will be hosting a fashion experience highlighting Indigenous artists.

The weekly market is held at the Poeh Cultural Center, which houses Native art and history exhibits. Now there is also live music and dance at the community event.

"It is person to person, people to people, animal to human, these relationships represented in the parka," said co-curator Melissa Shaginoff.

Two Worlds, a Native American theatre company will be hosting Albuquerque’s first Native American theatre festival this weekend. KUNM reports the event is about Indigenous people telling their own stories and sharing them with mainstream audiences.

Ria Thundercloud was introduced to traditional Native dance at a young age when she traveled around the country to powwows with her family. Thundercloud, who is Ho-Chunk and Sandia Pueblo, followed that path to classical dance and she illustrates her story through the new children’s book “Finding My Dance.” She told KUNM her passion stems from how she feels when she’s dancing.

The event began as a way to preserve what white curators thought of as Native art. Now artists say they celebrate innovation.

The Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial was shaken by a tragedy Thursday night when an SUV charged through the main parade route and injured 15 people. Kyle Tom, Navajo member and president of the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial Association, spoke with KUNM about how Ceremonial organizers plan on moving forward, and what steps could make the event safer.

The Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial kicked off its 100th anniversary Thursday . The event features music, powwows, parades, rodeo events, and much more. KUNM spoke with Kyle Tom, Navajo tribal member and president of the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association who’s committed to honoring Native American heritage and culture.