Do you know...Ken Blackbird (featured artist)

Ken Blackbird, a Native American Photographer, is an Assiniboine member of the Fort Belknap Indian Community of Montana. He specializes in textured portraits of life – people interwoven within their environments. Each photograph illustrates a moment captured – a story. The passion of every day life illuminates upon Mr. Blackbird’s canvas. He seeks to document life as it should be – people steeped in their rituals, today and always.

Currently, Mr. Blackbird’s work can be viewed at the British Museum in London, Montana Historical Society, National Museum of the American Indian, and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.

His current commercial client list includes Sapphire Strategies representing the Coeur D’Alene Tribe (www.sapphirestrategies.com), S&K Technologies (www.sktcorp.com), United States Justice Department, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Turtle Island Publishing, Inc. (www.turtleisland.com), American Indian College Fund, Pyramid Communications (www.pyramidcommunications.com), National Institutes of Health, Senator John Tester Campaign, Montana, and Turner Broadcast Network.

“We (Native Americans) were always typecast by Edward Curtis, the 19th-century photographer; I wanted another way to look at Native Americans, something that had never been done before. I try to make photographs that say something." - Ken Blackbird, 2005

Check out some of his work here: http://www.kenblackbird.com/Ken_Blackbird/Portfolio_/Portfolio_.html

Tribal members honor leaders with Buffalo Dance during annual All Kings Day event

By: David Collins

With the sound of jingle-bell leggings and gourd rattles, Pueblo of Pojoaque buffalo dancers celebrated a new year and marked the final day of the Christmas season Sunday by honoring their elected officials.

Area pueblos hold feasts and dances Jan. 6 to celebrate All Kings Day, a traditional Christian holiday commemorating the arrival of three kings to visit the newborn Jesus.

Outside the home of Pojoaque Gov. George Rivera, the pueblo's secretary, treasurer and lieutenant governor stood by their governor, each cradling in their arms ceremonial canes as they watched the Buffalo Dance. The canes are a symbol of pueblos' legal authority, Rivera said.

The Buffalo Dance honors the animals that have sustained Pueblo people, Rivera said. On this occasion, "dancers are dancing on behalf of the leadership, to lead with strength," Rivera said.

After the dance and a prayer in Tewa language, four young dancers paused to honor the canes in the arms of elected officials.

Throughout the day, friends, neighbors and pueblo members stopped by Rivera's hilltop home, sat for a bite to eat and joined in casual conversations. Outside, older youths played hacky sack, while inside, moms kept an eye on younger kids while they enjoyed each other's company.

"I feel good that the pueblo is keeping up with its culture and ceremonies," Rivera said. "It's good to see the youth who are being brought up with them as a part of their lives."

Read more here: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/All_kings_day_Celebration_of_sovereignty_Pojoaque_Pueblo_honors

Tulalips to hold gathering of coastal Indian tribes

By: Krista J. Kapralos

Tribal leaders from Canada and the United States are expected to travel to the Tulalip Indian Reservation next month for a meeting they hope will strengthen their political ties and forge environmental priorities.

Nearly 200 people are expected to meet for the third Coast Salish Gathering Feb. 27-29 to discuss environmental issues facing coastal tribes.

Weary of being divided by an international border, Indians of the Coast Salish Region, which stretches from British Columbia to Oregon, began meeting formally three years ago. The 2005 gathering was held at the Jamestown S'Klallam Indian Reservation on the Olympic Peninsula, and the 2007 gathering was held in Duncan, B.C. There was no gathering in 2006.

"This will be a policy dialogue," said Debra Lekanof, a Swinomish tribal employee and coordinator for the gathering. "It will be a discussion and sharing of information to protect the Salish Sea eco-region."

Get the whole story here: http://heraldnet.com/article/20080114/NEWS01/654766296