nathan cummings foundation and honor the earth
present

impacted nations

An art show illuminating the devastating impacts of energy development in Native America and positive alternatives for the future. By Steve Cowley

With a wink and a smile, LaDuke, emphasizing that this is not meant to be a rock show, welcomed everyone to a smorgasbord of American Indian contemporary art. “Well, to start, dams, oil exploitation, coal mining, nuclear power... that’s not our reality. This is our reality…this is art that comes from our communities,” she told the crowd at the Foundation’s offices and art space. The show’s curator Janeen Antoine (Lakota) welcomed the American Indian community in New York City to the official opening whose many special guests included Rosemary Richmond, Executive Director, American Indian Community House; Ali El Issa, CEO, Flying Eagle Woman Fund; Tonya Gonnella Frichner, President and Founder, American Indian Law Alliance; Elizabeth Slocum, Managing Director, Econsults; Diane Fraher, Founder, Amerinda, and Lloyd Oxendine, who for over thirty years has dedicated his professional life to advocating for American Indian artists in New York City. To the delight of the attendees the evening included Native American hors o’derves prepared and catered by Native Sisters Harvest and music by Soni Moreno and the Indigenous Sounds of Matou. 

Janeen Antoine co-founded the American Indian Contemporary Arts (AICA) in 1983. As Executive Director since 1987 she has been actively organizing traveling art exhibitions across the US, Mexico, Central and South American, Argentina and France.

(Below) Antoine introduced four artists whose works adorned the walls of the Foundation exhibit: Nadema Agard (Cherokee, Lakota, Powhatan), America Meredith (Cherokee), and Kelly Church (Grand Traverse Bay Band of Chippewa and Ottawa). Erica Lord (Athabaskan/ Inupiaq), told the crowd, “It’s exciting as an artist to be in this exhibit. It allows us a voice to be heard.”

(left) Nathan Cummings Foundation Staff, Winona LaDuke, Janeen, and artists

Lance Lindblom, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nathan Cummings Foundation was all smiles at the opening. “It’s perfect! It’s exactly what we wanted. We are so thrilled to have such a meaningful exhibit such as this,” he said.

“As a Foundation we only provide grants three or four times a year. This exhibit is administered under our Environment Program and the Arts and Culture Program.” He explained that the show was available for viewing in early October by special invitation and proudly announced that this evening was the official opening for the public to view and enjoy the art.

Impacted Nations portrays the conflict between Native peoples' cultural and spiritual relationship to the earth and the political and economic forces that undermine that relationship and a cultural way of life. This is examined in the artists' interpretations of dams, oil exploitation, coal mining, and nuclear power. According to Honor The Earth, the United States Energy Policy has, for decades, negatively impacted Native American communities. (Right) Winona LaDuke addressing the attendees.

The art exhibit focuses also on places and lands that are sacred to Native peoples…sites that are not only a part of American Indian history but are also a part of their present lives and the lives of generations to come, alternatively offering another vision for the future; visions that draw upon the sun and wind.

(Left) Uranium Womyn by LisaNa Red Bear

Natalie Marker, Honor The Earth’s Associate Director, explains that the Nathan Cummings Foundation was only one of many funding avenues their organization has explored. “We are interested in socially responsible donors.” Marker said. She said this New York show was only the start for the traveling exhibit.” We would like as many communities as possible, not just Native American communities, to be able to see the art." They are seeking additional funding avenues including individual donors to finance an extensive and wide-ranging traveling tour.

(Right) Eclipse by Rabbett Strickland
(Below) On the Steps of Congress by Brando Weiner

Honor The Earth, a fabulous color rendering by Donald F. Montileaux (Oglala Lakota) is based on the historical ledger drawings that were done by captive American Indians from an era long past. This talented artist/illustrator from Pine Ridge, SD, was one of many who captured the historical essence and modern feel of contemporary Indian life. Montileaux’s inspiring pictograph-styled adaptation of ledger drawings of the mid-19^th century depicts an expansive windmill in the center of an actual bookkeeper’s ledger. His windmill is idyllically constructed of feathers and ribbon patchwork; in the four corners are drawings of horses. And inside of these scenes are Indian dancers; banjo-playing Indians; and chiefs and warriors...and more windmills. See this on page 4 of (click on) Honor The Earth Newsletter.

For more detailed  information on IMPACTED NATIONS visit: