NACF Staff Site Visit to Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts

Crow’s Shadow is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Native Americans through artistic development. With an emphasis on contemporary, fine art printmaking, they also function as a venue to practice traditional Native art practices — weaving, bead working and regalia making — of the Plateau region.

With a spacious gallery and world-class printmaking studio, CSIA brings in emerging and established artists to produce monotypes, mono-prints and editions, including lithographs, etchings, linocuts, woodcuts and more. Their ever-growing portfolio of prints encompasses the work of many outstanding artists of diverse backgrounds and media.

NACF Program Director Reuben Tomás Roqueñi (Yaqui/Mexican) documented the site visit with videos featuring artist Marie Watt (Seneca), a 2010 “Artistic Innovation – Through the Soul of an Artist” grantee. The videos can be viewed on the NACF’s Facebook page.

“The act of giving was part of the ‘gifting economy’ of the Northwest where one’s wealth was measured by generosity, good work and a good heart. That is the work of philanthropy too: It’s an honor to have plenty and to share. There is no lack when you have this process in place and the most important mindset to have while participating is gratitude, or giving thanks and promising to care for all, no matter what.”

Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Warm Springs/Wasco/Yakama

Board Secretary, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

“These gifts demonstrate strong tribal interest in creating a powerful funding engine for protecting and preserving Native art and culture—the very cornerstones of tribal sovereignty. A foundation of this nature will help reverse the long history of government suppression of Native culture done as part of the United States' assimilation program. Through gifts of this nature, Indian Country can direct its resources to protect what is closest to home to all Indian tribes—our own cultures."

Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee

Board Chair, Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

NACF Staff Site Visit to Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts

2011/2012 Grantees

2010/2011 Grantees