by Amanda Podmore, Grand Canyon Director
This holiday season, no matter where you live, you can do your holiday shopping in the Grand Canyon region and support Native artists and entrepreneurs. Buying directly from Native artists is an important way to help create a more inclusive economy at Grand Canyon National Park.
Here are six artists we met at a Native artists' market that the Grand Canyon Trust organized in Tusayan, near the south entrance to the park, earlier this year. From t-shirts and sweatshirts to Zuni fetishes, earrings, silver jewelry, and more, these six talented artists have got something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
"I'm a Hopi veteran who has always loved the beauty of his culture and the artwork of others. My artwork is my interpretation of how beautiful our Hopi culture is, and I share my work in hopes that it brings a smile and happiness to someone's heart." –Anthony Puhuyesva
See more of Anthony's work on Facebook and Instagram, or get in touch by email.
"I offer traditional fetishes or rock animal carvings. I also paint southwest style originals on canvas with a contemporary kachina twist. I work to release the spirit of my creations." –Daryl Shack Sr.
See more of Daryl's work on Facebook and Instagram, or get in touch by email.
"Tawa Piiva Creations is a family Hopi small business that consists of myself, my husband, my mother, and my sister. We provide a variety of art and items. I carve contemporary and traditional katsina dolls, as well as a variety of other carvings like bolos and earrings from paako wood and cedar wood." –Sandra Suhu and Devon Poseyesva
See more of Sandra and Devon's work on Facebook and Instagram, or get in touch by email.
"I am a fifth-generation Diné woman silversmith specializing in traditional Navajo jewelry in silver and copper metals. I have been silversmithing for the past 24 years. My artwork centers around our sacred elements of water, plant life, prayers of the Diné culture." –Rosabelle Teesyatoh Shepherd
See more of Rosabelle's work on Instagram or get in touch by email.
"I am a stay-at-home mom who loves to bead and sew any time I’m free. I am very passionate about making handmade pieces for myself and others." –StarrDawnYazzie
See more of StarrDawn's work on Instagram or get in touch by email.
"I’m a Navajo metalsmith jeweler from the Navajo Rez living in Flagstaff." –Tom Yazzie
See more of Tom's work online, or get in touch by email.
The Native artists featured here all have ancestral ties to the Grand Canyon. However, with limited opportunities for Native artists to sell their work inside Grand Canyon National Park, you'll often find Native art, jewelry, Kachina dolls, and other work at shows, in galleries, and even at roadside stands while the items for sale in national park gift shops may be made far away.
In the Grand Canyon region, the Intertribal Centennial Conversations Group is working to change that. Formed in 2017 by dozens of cultural leaders from tribes with strong connections to the Grand Canyon, the group works to protect the Grand Canyon's heritage and place Native voices at the forefront of education, stewardship, and economic opportunities in Grand Canyon National Park.
By supporting Native artists and artisans as you're doing your shopping this holiday season, you're supporting a vision for transformative change, including a more inclusive Grand Canyon economy. Thank you.
You can see more artists' work in the first and second installments of our Grand Canyon Native Artists Holiday Gift Guide.
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