fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 
Santa Fe Indian Market - Photo courtesy of SWAIA

SANTA FE, N.M. — Another major American Indian event has been postponed due to public health concerns relating to  COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). On Saturday, the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), organizers of the annual Indian Market postponed this year’s event until August 2021.

The 99th Santa Fe Indian Market had been planned for August 15 – 16, 2020. With the postponement, the Centennial Celebration, slated for 2021, will be moved back until 2022.

According to SWAIA’s announcement on its website, the decision to postpone this year’s event was made by the organization’s board of directors last week.

"This is a difficult decision because Indian Market is a big part of my livelihood, but it is more important to protect the well-being of fellow artists, their families, our customers, and all of our communities. We pray for your health and safety and look forward to seeing you when Indian Market goes live again in 2021,” said board member and Native artisan Dominique Toya.

The Santa Fe Indian Market is promoted as the largest and most prestigious juried Native arts show in the world and the largest cultural event in the southwest. The event brings in more than 150,000 visitors into Santa Fe from around the globe.

The Indian Market allows for a great opportunity for buyers to meet some of the most talented artisans from Indian Country. These artisans are quick to tell the story behind creations that are inspired from their own personal experiences, family influences and rich American Indian heritage.

Mud Heads clay pottery by Lee Moquino - Courtesy photo

For some American Indian artists, the postponement represents a large loss of their annual income. For Lee Moquino (Tewa/Apache), a micaceous clay potter, who participates in the Indian Market every year, 30 to 40 percent of his annual income is made at the Indian Market.

“It’s understandable. Everyone’s safety, health and well-being is most important. It’s devastating and a financial blow to me as an artist, my family relies on money made at Indian Market and all art shows to survive,” Moquino said to Native News Online on Saturday evening.

The postponement of the Indian Art Market is also another blow to artists like Moquino, who generates significant sales come from art galleries and art shows throughout the United States that are now shuttered because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I pray that collectors will continue to support me by purchasing my work online.”

Choctaw/Cherorkee artist Lauren J. Reed

Lauren J. Reed, a Choctaw/Cherokee artist from Norman, Oklahoma, who creates paintings, drawings and hand-painted clothing, also says she hopes people buy Native art online during this difficult time.

“Many of us artists depend on Indian Market to get us through a majority of our year financially. Some people support their whole family through it. Although I agree with the postponement, I encourage collectors to take to buying online this year. We are still creating,” Reed said.

Artisans Refunds

SWAIA says all artists who juried into the 2020 Market are considered automatically accepted into the 2021 Market. Artisans who have already paid booth fees to reserve their spot for 2020 have a choice: 1) Full refund (SWAIA staff will contact artisans to find the best way to process their refunds); or 2) the fees paid can be applied towards a 2021 booth.

Virtual Market Being Considered

The SWAIA announcement says a Board Committee was formed and will explore the feasibility of conducting a “virtual market” for 2020. A virtual market would promote online sales for artisans because of the potential to reach a wide audience. SWAIA is accepting comments and ideas for a virtual platform through emails to SWAIA board member Mark Bahti; [email protected].

More Stories Like This

American Basketball Association Announces Native ABA Initiative
Four Winds South Bend Upgrades to Class III Gaming Casino
Native News Online Wins Two Awards from Native American Journalists Association
Wahlberg Brothers Are a Big Hit at Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in Las Vegas
Native Gro Offers Tribes a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for Entering the Cannabis Industry

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher

 
 
About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].