Royce Manuel - NMAI Artist Leadership Program

After being accepted into the NMAI Artist Leadership Program and completing his research of cultural material associated with the Aw-Thum who are located near the Phoenix Metro area in the southern region of Arizona, Royce Manuel (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community) coordinated a series of artist community workshops, "Binding Our Future to the Past: Agave Workshop", for 45 community members that ranged in ages 5 to 65. In February 2011, Mr. Manuel shared his NMAI research experience with his students to bring the Kiaha (traditional burden basket) back to life for the Aw-Thum. This workshop covered Plant Overview, History, Harvest, Processing Cordage, the Kiaha Legend, Cordage strings and Gourd Straps. Participants of this workshop, Royce Manuel, Gabriel 'Joe' Martinez, Juanita Homer, Zelda Reed, Shannon Rivers, and Leslie Xavier share their personal stories on why they participated in this workshop. This video was created by the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community Video Productions Department that included Frank Turfler, Director, Producer and Editor, Jerrod Glasser, Principle Photographer, and Darren Harris, Secondary Photographer.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• NMAI

[nativeheartiAM]

Thank you for sharing and "unearthing" a rich Native culture that has waited to be unveiled with honor.

[Malleolust]

I am part Pima, of the GRIC of AZ. My grandmother was born on the reservation. To hear her Native tongue again (she's passed on about 5 years ago) brings tears to my eyes. It's been too long since I've visited the rez, too long since I've heard her speak in the tongue. I miss her so much. I know I am not spelling it right, but if there were one thing I could say to her, it would be, "Wig ah bee so-thum." Come back. Hurry.