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Canku Ota

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(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

 

June 14, 2003 - Issue 89

 
 

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Native American Cowboy Exhibition Opens at the National Museum of the American Indian in Lower Manhattan on May 17

 
 
by National Museum of the American Indian press release
 

credits: photo 1: Coat, Trousers and Bag; photo 2: Baby Board; photo 3: Horse Dance Stick
(all photos courtesy of National Museum of the American Indian)
click on the image for a larger view

Coat, Trousers and BagThe artistry, history and poetry of Native American cowboy life will be presented in “Legends of Our Times: Native Ranching and Rodeo Life on the Plains and the Plateau at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Lower Manhattan, on Saturday, May 17. More than 700 objects, such as saddles, photographs, blankets, clothing, horse gear and powwow regalia, will be included in the exhibition, which will continue at the museum through March 7, 2004.

"Legends of Our Times" traces the history of Native people as buffalo hunters, horsemen, ranchers, and cowboys, and as entertainers and participants in the sport of rodeo. The exhibition begins by presenting the connections between traditional Plains and Plateau cultures and such animals as the horse, the buffalo and the dog—and how these connections influenced the Native cowboy's perspective on ranching and rodeo life.

Challenging the stereotype of "cowboys and Indians," the exhibition continues with Native American contributions to ranching, rodeo culture, Western entertainment and cowboy arts.

Highlights of the exhibition include a late 19th-century rifle case embellished with porcupine quill embroidery; an elaborately beaded Kootenai cradle board that could be attached to the side of a saddle and probably was part of a woman's parade outfit; a buffalo hunter's outfit from the mid-1800s, decorated with glass beads and embroidery; an elegant horse dance stick by Dennis R. Fox Jr. (Nueta/Hidatsa/Lakota); and historical and contemporary photographs of Native cowboy life.

"The National Museum of the American Indian is delighted to present this groundbreaking exhibition, and to recognize the important contributions made by Native Americans to rodeo and ranching culture," said museum Director W. Richard West (Southern Cheyenne).

Baby BoardAfter the Civil War, when Texas was cut off from its eastern markets, able-bodied horsemen were required for the massive cattle drives from Texas to Missouri, California, Kansas, Montana, Illinois and North Dakota. Many Native people were among these early cowboys, adapting their experiences driving herds of buffalo and deer, equestrian skills and knowledge of the territories used for cattle grazing. By the mid-19th century, many Native people took advantage of new economic opportunities in the emerging ranching industry and established their own ranches. Other Native Americans, faced with depleted buffalo herds, limited resources and government policies and restrictions, were forced to leave their traditional way of life and find work as cowboys. In the late 19th century, when cowboy skills became forms of entertainment and sport, Native people expressed their skills and elements of their cultures as actors in "Wild West" shows and as competitors in professional rodeos. The popularity of rodeos also grew within Native communities and continues today.

"Legends of Our Times: Native Ranching and Rodeo Life on the Plains and the Plateau" is a traveling exhibition produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization and curated by Morgan Baillargeon and Leslie Tepper. A catalog, by Baillargeon and Tepper, accompanies the exhibition.

The presentation at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian was organized by Dr. Gerald McMaster (Plains Cree), Deputy Assistant Director for Cultural Resources; Peter Brill, Head of Exhibits for the George Gustav Heye Center; and Exhibits Manager Jennifer Tozer.

The National Museum of the American Indian's George Gustav Heye Center is located at One Bowling Green in New York City, across from Battery Park. The museum is free and open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursdays until 8 p.m. For information, call (212) 514-3700 for general information and (212) 514-3888 for a recording about the museum's public programs. By subway, the museum may be reached by the 1 or 2 to South Ferry, the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green or the N or R to Whitehall Street.

Legends of Our Times Exhibit
"Legends of Our Times" traces the history of Native people as buffalo hunters, horsemen, ranchers, and cowboys, and as entertainers and participants in the sport of rodeo. The exhibition begins by presenting the connections between traditional Plains and Plateau cultures and such animals as the horse, the buffalo and the dog—and how these connections influenced the Native cowboy's perspective on ranching and rodeo life.
http://www.conexus.si.edu/legends/main.html

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  Canku Ota is a free Newsletter celebrating Native America, its traditions and accomplishments . We do not provide subscriber or visitor names to anyone. Some articles presented in Canku Ota may contain copyright material. We have received appropriate permissions for republishing any articles. Material appearing here is distributed without profit or monetary gain to those who have expressed an interest. This is in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.  
 

Canku Ota is a copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 of Vicki Lockard and Paul Barry.

 
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