WASHINGTON
Paige Fourkiller, a Cherokee eighth grader from Oklahoma,
has been working overtime to be recognized for her artwork.
For
the last few years, she entered a competition sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Educations Office of Indian Education that encourages
kids in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to create artistic and
written representations of certain themes.
This
years theme was Tradition is My Life, Education is My
Future.
Fourkiller
used pen and ink to draw a colorful representation of a young woman
in a graduation cap and gown next to a giant dreamcatcher and a
school.
Its
supposed to be me, Fourkiller explained. Ill graduate
from eighth grade this coming year.
She
ended up coming in first place in the sixth through eighth grade
artistic division.
Along
with two other first place winners, Fourkiller recently traveled
to the nations capital to see her art displayed in the Education
Departments main lobby.
The
full exhibition consists of 21 matted and framed art pieces and
a book of essays.
The
students artwork will later go on tour over the course of
the next year to several other venues, including the National Museum
of the American Indian, the Oklahoma History Center, the Chicago
Childrens Museum and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Its
really humbling to be here, said Angela Pacheco, another student
recognized at the event. Im thankful to my family for
inspiring me to be here.
The 12th grader, of Santo Domingo Pueblo descent, chose to enter
the essay portion of the event. Her first place entry was based
on her multicultural learning experiences.
She
grew up only knowing how to speak the Keres language, so it was
quite an achievement to be recognized for her writing in English.
She
hopes to attend New Mexico State University after high school, where
she plans to pursue an English degree. She also wants to one day
be a secondary education teacher.
Macklin
Becenti, a Navajo student now in 12th grade from Arizona, was recognized
for his artistic abilities. He learned to appreciate art from his
uncles, and he plans to study film and video in college.
Becenti
was also chosen to become the first high school participant of NMAIs
Emerging Artist Program. The program is meant to encourage the artistic
growth of indigenous youth.
It
is a great privilege to be here, Becenti said. I am
so grateful.
More
information about the exhibit and past and future competitions can
be found online.
http://kids.indianeducation.org/index.cfm?page=artistcircle.cfm
Next
years theme will be Bringing Honor Through Education,
and the deadline for entry is Jan. 29, 2010.
2009
Artist Winners
Pre-Kindergarten
1st: |
Learning
for All Children by Mia Allen (Cherokee) |
2nd: |
I
am Bear Clan by Gavin French (Sault Ste. Marie
Tribe of Chippewa Indians) |
3rd: |
My
Love by Amber Roy (Northern Paiute/MChigeeng
Ojibwe) |
Grades K-2
1st: |
Tradition
Guides My Future by Aubrey Brown (Cherokee), 2nd
grade |
2nd: |
Moving
Tradition Toward Education by Kinley Soap (Cherokee),
Kindergarten |
3rd: |
Believing
in Myself by Sonja Mendoza (Gila River Indian
Community), 1st grade |
Grades
3-5
1st: |
The
Quilt of Traditions by Caleb Williamson (Mississippi
Band of Choctaw Indians), 3rd grade |
2nd: |
Untitled
by Lara Yazzie (Navajo), 5th grade |
3rd: |
Traditional
Culture by Candace Jefferson (Mississippi Band
of Choctaw Indians), 4th grade |
Grades 6-8
1st: |
Catching
My Dreams Through Education by Paige Fourkiller
(Cherokee), 7th grade |
2nd: |
Education
Tree by Sabre Billie (Seminole Tribe of Florida),
6th grade |
3rd: |
Untitled
by Uyvaya Lomakema (Hopi), 8th grade |
Grades 9-10
1st: |
Earths
Classroom by Santana Shorty (Navajo), 10th grade |
2nd: |
Untitled
by Coleman Stevens (Oneida Indian Nation), 9th grade |
3rd: |
Student
by Kayla Soares (United Houma Nation), 9th grade |
Grades 11-12
1st: |
Untitled
by Macklin Becenti (Navajo), 11th grade |
2nd: |
Student
by Michelle Zahgotah (White Mountain Apache Tribe),
12th grade |
3rd: |
Vision
of Life by Otis Rustin (San Carlos Apache/Jemez
Pueblo), 12th grade |
Honorable Mention
Education
in Two Worlds by Jalen Kemble (Ponca Tribe of
Oklahoma), 9th grade |
Tradition
is My Life/Education is My Future by Anna Muselmann
(Cherokee), 11th grade |
Student
by Reyberta Kessay (White Mountain Apache Tribe), 12th
grade |
2009
Writing Winners
Grades
6-8
1st: |
Ways
of Life by Evan Baca (San Juan Pueblo), 7th grade |
2nd: |
Tradition
is My Life, Education is My Future by Mariah Coffee
(Warm Springs), 8th grade |
3rd: |
The
Pueblo Ways by Ashley Salter (San Juan Pueblo),
7th grade |
Grades 9-10
1st: |
Voices
to Remember by Daphne Coriz (Santo Domingo Pueblo),
10th grade |
2nd: |
Old
Lessons for New Horizons by Sean LittleCook (Ponca),
9th grade |
3rd: |
My
Sacred Bowl of Traditions by Kinsley Candelaria
(San Felipe), 10th grade |
Grades
11-12
1st: |
Multicultural
Learning by Angela Pacheco (Santo Domingo Pueblo),
12th grade |
2nd: |
Untitled
by RedHorse Blackelk Jim (Navajo/Lakota), 11th grade |
3rd: |
Tradition
is My Life, Education is My Future by Zack Ellison
(Cherokee/Osage), 11th grade |
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