More Native artists lining up for Sacred Springs Powwow

New artists are coming from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma to set up booths at the 2018 Sacred Springs Powwow scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18 at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. 

This 8th annual event is sponsored by Indigenous Cultures Institute, and co-sponsored by the Texas State University’s Hispanic Business Student Association, Hombres Unidos, Sigma Lambda Beta and Sigma Lambda Gamma organizations. It is funded by the San Marcos Arts Commission, Texas Commission on the Arts, Tomblin Family Foundation, Precision Camera and Friends of the Powwow members.

“We’re really excited that our powwow is getting attention from Native artists outside of Texas,” says powwow coordinator Javier Garza. “They heard it was a great powwow and sent applications to sell their artwork here.”

The new artists include two from Arizona. Matilda Manymules (Navajo) will showcase her hand made Navajo arts and jewelry such as pendants, necklaces, bracelets, and dream catchers, all the way from Cameron. Lula Mae White Rocha (Navajo) is from Marble Canyon, Arizona and her business name is Turquoise Bi Yoo. White Rock is bringing dream catchers, pottery, cedar bead jewelry and more.

From other parts of the Southwest, coming all the way from Antonito, Colorado, is Henrietta Bluebird (Oglala Lakota). Her business name is Bluebird Things and she’ll have jewelry, leather pieces and other handmade Native items. From Gallup, New Mexico, Indian Jewelry of Gallup is bringing an amazing collection of Navajo, San Juan Pueblo, Zuni and Hopi jewelry.

“We have a new, highly acclaimed fry bread vendor, Dora Platero from Santa Fe, New Mexico,” says Garza. “She’ll serve Navajo tacos, fry bread burgers, veggie tacos, and scrumptious red and green chili – Santa Fe style.”

The powwow’s Head Gourd Dancer, Benny Tahmahkera (Comanche) from Cache, Oklahoma, will set up a booth to sell his personal selection of Native CDs, t-shirts, postcards, bracelets, and beaded items. Tahmahkera’s business name is Nauni, Inc.

“And of course we have returning artists bringing items from outside the U.S.,” says Garza. “Everyone’s been asking if the rugs and shoes are coming back.”

Shoes designed by indigenous people from Columbia will also be for sale.

Garza is referring to hand woven rugs from Oaxaca, Mexico that are dyed-wool and woven by members of the Zapotec tribe in the village of Teotitlan del Valle. Accents West is the rug importer who is local to this area. The shoes are from Tracking Natives; Luis Cuervo (Kuna) imports unique and colorful footwear handmade by Colombian artisans and tribes. And Cuervo offers special prices to powwow visitors.

Local artist Abel Rodriguez will also be new to the powwow. Rodriguez will showcase his unique T-shirt designs that highlight the indigenous identity of people who are mis-labeled “Hispanic.”

Many popular artists are also returning. Juan Martinez (Lipan Apache) will bring his beautiful sculptures, paintings, jewelry and T-shirts, all from his original designs. Ronald Waller (Delaware/Caddo) has the largest array of beaded jewelry in the Southwest, and is coming to the powwow. Virgie Ravenhawk (Mohawk) will sell delicately hand crafted ceremonial pieces, flutes, leatherwork, walking sticks, and lovely medicine bags. Isabelle Haskie (Navajo) from Glendale, Arizona is bringing handmade Native jewelry, turquois gemstones, and pottery.   

This year’s Native American Market at the Sacred Springs Powwow will be full of surprises and incredible “finds” not to be missed. 

For more information on the powwow visit the Sacred Springs Powowow's website or call 512-393-3310.