First American Art Magazine No. 5, Winter 2014 | Page 9

Letters to FAAM Randy & Nick Brokeshoulder Traditional Hopi Katsina Carving Troy Jackson Ꭳ ᏏᏲ! I enjoyed and was impressed by Roy Boney Jr.’s profile article on Cherokee Troy Jackson (no relation) in the fall Issue No. 4 of First American Art Magazine. I was touched by Jackson’s sculpture, I’m Part White But Can’t Prove It. I relate to the tension that inspired the piece. I value the notion of exploring identity through sculpture, and Mr. Jackson’s efforts to join European culture and American Indian culture via his art is appreciated and commendable. Boney’s story of Jackson’s experience with an acquaintance represented one area of challenge for me. Regarding the person that charged Jackson with being a “wannabe” because Jackson did not speak Cherokee, I raise the question of compassion. Boney quotes Mr. Jackson’s response: “I take this with a gesture of humility, but can’t help but believe he’s right, especially since I can’t argue with him in his own language.” I take the humor inherent in the story, and further acknowledge that I cannot capture the full context since I was not present. I also admire Jackson for acknowledging a limitation. On the other hand, how do we best address these issues of race? I agree with the axiom that, “Language is culture, and culture is language” to the degree that communication provides inroads for kindness. I always thought that language is part (not the whole) of a set of values in the Cherokee community, and what makes sense to me are the values we bring to the table and to that community. Whether one is a “fullblood,” or fluent in the Cherokee language, or “registered,” or serves on the tribal council, seems to mean little if the concept of kindness, generosity, and compassion—historically key Cherokee traits—are lacking. Jackson’s work, especially Thank God For Who I Am, SelfPortrait and I’m Part White But Can’t Prove It, represent the aforementioned traits quite well, I thought. Didn’t sound like an “Indian wannabe” to me…. ᏩᏙ to Cherokees Troy Jackson for his work and Roy Boney Jr. for sharing his work with us! Bryan D. Jackson Kirkland, Washington Pahlikmana katsina by Randy Brokeshoulder Hemis katsina by Nick Brokeshoulder We will have new carvings available at the Greater Tulsa Indian Art Festival January 31st to February 2nd, 2015 Randy’s email: [email protected] Nick’s email: [email protected] Judging T HANKS FOR DELIVERING ISSUES of First American Art Magazine. Loved the article on judging—made my volunteering at SWAIA more interesting! Jimmie Spulecki Volunteer at the International Folk Art Market Santa Fe, NM We’re glad that the judging article was helpful. Hopefully art organizations will support more transparency about their judging processes. We welcome letters to the editor! If we print your letter, we will send you a free copy of that issue of the magazine. Please email your letters to us at: [email protected] or­mail letters to: First American Art Magazine Attention: Editor 1000 Cordova Place, #843 Santa Fe, NM 87505 W I NT E R 2 0 1 4 | 7