Board member Dawn Houle (Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana) has been elected Board Chair. Houle succeeds Stephine Poston (Pueblo of Sandia), who completed her term of office.
Launched in 1922 with the Sante Fe Indian Art Market, SWAIA has a significant role in shaping Native American art. Held in August, the market draws up to 100,000 visitors from around the globe to purvey the works of thousands of artists from across Indian Country. The Sante Fe Indian Art Market Best in Show award is considered by many to be the most prestigious honor for Native art.
In a press release, Houle acknowledged the pivotal role SWAIA plays in elevating Native American artists onto a global stage.
"The new board members play a big role in supporting and advocating for Native Artists and I'm excited to join this world-class leadership in shaping how we continue to elevate Native Artists to the world stage," Houle said in a statement. "We have a century of legacy work that we can build upon and I'm grateful to Ms. Poston for the tremendous efforts she provided to the organization. In a world of pressing issues and challenges, the expression of art helps us learn and celebrate. I welcome this new role to strengthen member commitments while bringing in new resources to support SWAIA and the artists."
New appointments to the executive committee include Michael Trujillo, Vice-Chair, and JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara), elected Secretary. Tom Teegarden will remain in the position of Treasurer. Natasha K. Hale, the Director of Native American Partnerships for the Catena Foundation, is also a newly elected board member.
More Stories Like This
Q+A: Waha Delormier on Elevating Indigenous Representation in Fashion and FilmQ+A: Rob Pero on Indigenous Wisdom and Climate Advocacy in Upcoming Film 'The 7th'
Top Native Chefs Will Be Featured at American Indian College Fund NYC Event
Here's What's Going in Indian Country, April 19th— 25th
2024 Sundance Institute Native Filmmakers Lab Kicks Off April 24
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
