EDITOR ' S GREETING
We Have Words for Art Symposium
above Neebinnaukzhik Southall ( Rama Chippewa ), We Have Words for Art logo , 2021 , digital illustration , dimensions variable .
IN LATE FEBRUARY , First American Art Magazine hosted “ We Have Words for Art ,” an online symposium to discuss writing about art by Indigenous peoples of the Americas . We were astonished by the enthusiastic response from registered participants who quickly filled all 500 available spots and our generous sponsors from coast to coast : Critical Minded , Noksi Press , University of Virginia ’ s Mellon Indigenous Arts Initiative , and Shingle Springs Rancheria .
“ It rolled so well , I was honestly engaged the entire time ,” wrote curator Callie Chunestudy . “ It was the best collection of panels and presentations I ’ ve probably ever ‘ attended .’” I have to agree . Thanks so much to facilitators Jami Powell , Taylor Rose Payer , Brendan O ’ Donnell , and Irem Karaaslan . Thanks to Staci Golar , Neebinnaukzhik Southall , Angela C . Villa , Rosa Cays , Jo Ann Reece ,
Michelle Lanteri , Samonia Byford , and everyone else who helped make this symposium possible .
Miranda Belarde-Lewis suggested the name , We Have Words for Art . This FAAM slogan plays off the false stereotype that Indigenous languages lack words for art . ᏗᏟᎶᏍᏙᏗ , eqqumiitsuliorneq , nakvhakv , kapchiy , tōltēcāyōtl , tonkasali imponna , wóuŋspe , and yila ' ob are just a few Indigenous words for art , each carrying their own connotations that enhance our collective understanding of the concept of art .
As heather ahtone pointed out in “ Shifting the Paradigm : A Love Story ,” her powerful keynote address , “ The methods for discussing Indigenous art are incomplete .” She used the metaphor of a canyon for the gulf between Indigenous and Eurocentric understandings of Indigenous art . She likened our Native art writing to dropping pebbles in the canyon . While the challenge is larger than any individual , each effort we make contributes to the solution . “ One day ,” as heather said , “ that gap will be filled by the accumulation of pebbles that will become a bridge .”
COMING SOON
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